This video is a continuation of the axel lesson video with Olympic coach Michelle Leigh. In this video, Michelle is working towards double axel with her skater.
On the video page for the previous part of this lesson, I wrote a brief comment about Michelle not focusing on the free arm swinging around. But in this part of the lesson, she addresses it right at 0:28 in this video. She says the skater should just be “more narrow.” This description is common among top coaches.
Also in this video, you get to see Michelle using rinkside computer video analysis so her skater can more easily see what she’s doing and what to change. Computer video analysis is revolutionizing the sport.
Also, it’s very instructive to see how Michelle goes back to what she calls a “part axel.” I’ve also heard this referred to as a “once-around,” a “half-axel,” or even a “bell jump.” The “part axel” allows the skater to focus on take-off mechanics without worrying about total rotation or air position issues. As with most top coaches, while working on a difficult element Michelle steps back to a simple maneuver or drill the skater can do well. She’s working with the skater on double axel but she goes back to “part axels” to make sure the take-off is correct and to build more awareness of the proper take-off feeling.
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2 responses to “Online Figure Skating Lesson: Axel Jump – Part 2 (Michelle Leigh)”
I went to the seminar up at Mariposa training center and Michelle was so helpful and is so nice. She didn’t really help me with my axel but on my double toe she was so helpful and positive while doing it.
Great Michelle! The part axel is the way I learnt many moons ago before all the technology and also before anyone I knew taught the change of weight and ankle connections – that was all left up to chance! Today’s skaters are so fortunate now that nothing is left to chance anymore. Well done!