Figure Skating Jumps – Take Off Direction (Nick Perna)

Nick Perna discusses take-off direction.  He explains that all jumps take off with the skater turning to forward before leaving the ice.  In particular, Nick explains a basic difference in technique between very strong skaters (mostly men) and skaters with average strength (most ladies).  In this video Nick is talking mainly about the lutz jump and this is a continuation of his other popular lutz videos, lutz #1 and lutz #2.

You’ll notice that Nick mentions “internal rotation of the take-off foot”.  This is a very important concept and nearly all female skaters use this technique to successfully land triples.  Nick explains that the male skaters do not need to do this because they are so strong.  In other words, they can open their hips at take-off and still get to the internally rotated air position and still finish the rotation because they jump so high.

This is a particularly important clue for those coaches working with female skaters on triple flip and lutz.  Many female skaters have the ability and height to land a double using the “external rotation of the take-off foot” just like the men, but the technique is too inefficient for most ladies with limited jump height.  Most ladies must use the “internally rotated” technique to land these jumps.  (And this is also true in some cases for young ladies trying to land double flip or lutz as well!)

So understand what Nick is talking about.  It’s critically important for your skaters.

Nick says that he doesn’t think skaters are taught one way or the other.  He suggests they just learn to do it the way it feels most comfortable.  But this is clearly limiting some ladies skaters.  Once you understand the difference, you can teach one way or the other to your skaters.  (Will we see more men attempting quad flip and lutz if they learn to internally rotate at take-off?)

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