Figure Skating Terms/Jumps

• Turn Definitions
• Spin Definitions
• Jump Definitions

There are two basic types of jumps, edge jumps and toe jumps. Edge jumps involve a take-off from one foot, while toe jumps use the toe pick to assist. All of the following jumps assume CCW rotation, which means the landing will always be on a RBO edge

Edge jumps:

• Waltz
  Take-off from a LFO edge, half a revolution in the air, landing on a RBO edge. The arms are in an open position and the free leg starts off horizontal to the ice; as it drops down for the landing the jump leg will rise up and swing behind.

.AVI file of Scott Hamilton performing a waltz jump. 1.9MB, LEFT-click and enter user name "skate" with password "12345" to download.

• Axel
  Take-off from a LFO edge, x revolutions in the air, landing on a RBO edge. The arms and legs are in a closed position. Because of the forward take-off a single axel would actually consist of one and a half revolutions.
  
  The axel was created by Axel Paulsen (Norway), and first performed by him in 1882. The first triple axel performed in competition was completed by Vern Taylor (Canada) in the 1978 World Championships.

.AVI file of Ilia Kulik performing a triple axel jump. 1.8MB, LEFT-click and enter user name "skate" with password "12345" to download.

• Salchow
  Take-off from a LBI edge, x revolutions in the air, landing on a RBO edge. The free leg will be extended from the body prior to take-off.
  
  This jump was created by Ulrich Salchow (Sweden). Timothy Goebel (USA) completed the first quad salchow in competion at the 1998 Junior Champion Series final.

.AVI file of Scott Hamilton performing a triple salchow jump. 3.2MB, LEFT-click and enter user name "skate" with password "12345" to download.

• Loop
  Take-off from a RBO edge, x revolutions in the air, landing on a RBO edge. The free leg will be crossed over in front of the take-off leg.
  
  The loop jump was originated by Werner Rittberger (Germany). The first triple loop performed in competition was completed by Dick Button at the 1952 Olympics.

• Walley
  Take-off from a RBI edge, x revolutions in the air, landing on a RBO edge. The direction of the edge is opposite the direction of rotation and the free leg will be crossed behind the jumping leg.

Toe jumps:

• Toe Loop
  Take-off from a RBO edge with a left toe assist, x revolutions in the air, landing on a RBO edge.
  
  The toe loop jump comes with a lot of "firsts" attached - it was the first quadruple jump performed in competition. Kurt Browning (Canada) performed the first quad toe loop in the 1988 World Championships, Elvis Stojko (Canada) performed the first quad toe/double toe combination at 1991 Worlds, Petr Barna (Russia) performed the first quad in the Olympics in 1992, and Zhengxin Guo (China) completed first Olympic quad toe combination in 1998.

.AVI file of Elvis Stojko performing a quad toe loop jump. 3.8MB, LEFT-click and enter user name "skate" with password "12345" to download.

• Lutz
  Take-off from a LBO edge with with a right toe assist, x revolutions in the air, landing on a RBO edge. This jump, like the walley and toe walley, has the edge in opposition to the rotations in the air. You can usually identify a Lutz setup by the long glide down the ice followed by a distinct lean to the left outside edge.
  
  This jump was invented by Alois Lutz (Austria). The first completed triple lutz was performed by Donald Jackson (Canada) at the 1962 Worlds Championships.

.AVI file of Elvis Stojko performing a triple lutz jump. 1.1MB, LEFT-click and enter user name "skate" with password "12345" to download.

• Toe Walley
  Take-off from a RBI edge with a left toe assist, x revolutions in the air, landing on a RBO edge. The take-off edge for a toe walley can be difficult to discern from a toe loop. Since the direction of the edge is opposite the direction of rotation it is not uncommon for the right foot to change to a RBO just prior to take-off.

• Flip
  Take-off from a LBI edge with a right toe assist, x revolutions in the air, landing on a RBO edge.

.AVI file of Jozef Sabovcik performing a triple flip jump. 670KB, LEFT-click and enter user name "skate" with password "12345" to download.