Figure skating jumps

Figure skating jumps are an element of three competitive figure skating disciplines—men's singles, ladies' singles, and pair skating but not ice dancing. Different jumps are identified by the take-off edge, direction of movement, and the number of revolutions completed. There are six kinds of jumps currently counted as jump elements in ISU regulations. Three are edge jumps—the Salchow, loop, and Axel—and three are toe jumps which use the toe picks on the front of the blade—the toe loop, flip, and Lutz. The Axel is the most difficult due to an extra half rotation.

Each jump receives a score according to its base value and grade of execution (GOE).^[1] The GOE ranges from +5 to −5 and is weighted according to the jump's base value. Quality of execution, technique, height, speed, flow and ice coverage are considered by the judges. An under-rotated jump (indicated by < ) is "missing rotation of more than ¼, but less than ½ revolution" and receives 70% of the base value. A downgraded jump (indicated by <<) is "missing rotation of ½ revolution or more". A triple which is downgraded is treated as a double, while a downgraded double is treated as a single jump. The ISU defines a fall as a loss of control with the result that the majority of the skater's body weight is not on the blade but supported by hands, knees, or buttocks.^[2]

An edge violation occurs when a skater executes a jump on the incorrect edge. The hollow is a groove on the bottom of the blade which creates two distinct edges, inside and outside. The inside edge of the blade is closest to the center of the body, on the arch-side of the foot. The outside edge is on the outer edge of the foot. A flat refers to skating on both edges at the same time, which is discouraged. An unclear edge or edge violation is indicated with an 'e' and reflected in the GOE according to the severity of the problem. Flutz and lip are the colloquial terms for a Lutz and a flip jump with an edge violation, respectively.

In 1982, the International Skating Union enacted a rule stating that a skater may perform each type of triple only once, or twice if one of them is incorporated into a combination or sequence. For a set of jumps to be considered a combination, each jump must take off from the landing edge of the previous jump, with no steps, turns, or change of edge in between jumps. Toe loops and loops are commonly performed as the second or third jump in a combination because they take off from the right back outside edge. To perform a Salchow or flip on the back end of a combination, a half loop (which is actually a full rotation, but lands on a left back inside edge) may be used as a connecting jump. In contrast, jump sequences are sets of jumps which may be linked by non-listed jumps or hops.^[3] Sequences are worth 80% of what the same jumps executed in combination would be worth.

Jumps may be rotated in clockwise or counter-clockwise direction. Most skaters are counter-clockwise jumpers.

Scale of values

Each jump has a base value, which is adjusted if the jump is under-rotated (<), and a grade of execution (GoE) from +3 to −3, weighted according to the base value.

The current scale of values is:^[1]

Technique

Toe pick jump takeoff

Rotation

Landing

Jumps may be performed with either clockwise or counter-clockwise rotation. The vast majority of skaters rotate all their jumps and spins in the same direction; counter-clockwise jumping is more common than clockwise. All jumps are landed on a back outside edge (except stylized variations on some jumps like the half loop or one-foot Axel). The type and number of steps before a jump do not affect the jump's definition, but certain jumps have common and recognizable set-ups that help the skater do the element correctly and that also help spectators in identifying the jumps.

Jumps are classified as either edge jumps or toe jumps. An edge jump takes off directly from the edge without assist from the other foot; while in a toe jump, the skater spikes the toe picks of the free foot into the ice at the same time he or she jumps off the edge of the skating foot, providing a kind of pole-vaulting action to convert the skater's horizontal speed over the ice into a vertical leap.

Most jumps have a natural rotation; that is, the approach and landing curves both have the same rotational sense as the jump in the air. A few jumps, notably including the Lutz and Walley, are counter-rotated, with the approach edge having an opposite rotational sense to the rotation in the air and landing curve.

In the modern jumping technique first developed by Gus Lussi and his pupil Dick Button, skaters are taught to jump up first, and then assume a back spin position in the air to complete the rotation. For a jump with counterclockwise rotation, the left leg should be crossed in front of the right at the ankles, with the feet together, the arms pulled into the chest and the head turned to look over the left shoulder. If the legs are crossed above the knee, it is referred to as a wrap, and is considered poor technique, not only because it looks unattractive but because it interferes with the jump's mechanics. For multi-rotational jumps, it is important that the skater assume a "tight" position in the air by holding the arms close to the body, to concentrate their body mass around the axis of rotation and minimize the rotational moment of inertia.

Jumps may also be performed with variations in the arm positions in the air to add difficulty. These variations include one or both arms overhead, both hands on the hips, or arms folded in front of the chest. The variation with one arm overhead is often called a Tano position, after Brian Boitano, who performed a triple Lutz in this position as one of his signature moves.

When landing a jump, skaters uncross the free leg from in front of the landing leg and swing it to the rear. Extending the arms and free leg checks the rotation and allows the skater to flow out of the jump on a strong edge. Ideally, a skater should exit the jump with just as much speed as on the entrance.

A jump that is cheated is one in which the skater either begins or completes the rotation of a jump on the ice instead of in the air. While this error is often not obvious to casual observers, under the ISU Judging System, cheated jumps are heavily penalized, in many cases as much as or more than a fall on a fully rotated jump.

Jumps are referred to by how many times the skater turns in the air. One revolution (one and a half for the Axel) is a "single" jump. Two revolutions (two and a half for the Axel) is a "double" jump. Three revolutions (three and a half for the Axel) is a "triple" jump. Four revolutions (four and a half for the Axel, although this has never been done in competition) is a "quadruple" or "quad" jump. The first triple jump landed in competition was a loop jump. It was landed by Dick Button in 1952. The first quadruple jump landed in competition was a toe loop jump. It was landed by Kurt Browning in 1988. Currently, men in world-class competition usually attempt a full set of triples and sometimes one or two quadruple jumps in their free skating programs. Triple Axels are rare for ladies, and quadruple jump attempts even more so.

By 1991, jumps covering six metres of distance were common.^[4] Growth spurts sometimes affect a skater's jumping ability.^[5]

Recalling jumping technique in the 1980s, Canadian skater Brian Orser recalled: "We'd swing that free leg through, whether it was an Axel or a Salchow or even a toe loop. You'd bring that free leg and you'd climb like you were climbing a stair."^[6] More recent skaters tend to keep their feet closer together and to begin rotating sooner.^[6]

Common jumps

The following are the seven most common figure skating jumps in order from the least to the most difficult, as dictated by increasing point values under the ISU Judging system. All take off from a backwards entrance except the Axel:

• The toe loop jump is a toe jump that takes off from a back outside edge and lands on the same back outside edge (in other words, a toe-pick assisted loop jump, although the mechanics of the two jumps are very different). This is sometimes known in Europe as a cherry flip. Toe loops can be done immediately after other jumps in combinations. As solo jumps, they are most commonly entered from a three turn.
• The Salchow jump (pronounced "sal-kow"), named after its originator Ulrich Salchow, is an edge jump. It takes off from a back inside edge and lands on the back outside edge of the opposite foot. Salchows are most often preceded by a forward outside 3 turn, but a mohawk entrance is not unusual.
• The loop jump is another edge jump, launched from the back outside edge and landing on the same back outside edge. It is also known in Europe as the Rittberger after its inventor, Werner Rittberger. Loops can be done immediately after other jumps in combinations.
• The euler jump is an edge jump derived from the loop and is similarly launched from the back outside edge, but landing on the other foot on an inside edge. It is also known as the Half Loop or Thoren jump after Per Thorén. Eulers are usually used to link other jumps in a jump combination. For example: Axel + Euler + Salchow
• The flip jump is a toe jump that takes off from a back inside edge and lands on the back outside edge of the opposite foot. A flip is usually preceded by a forward outside 3 turn or forward inside mohawk.
• The Lutz jump, named after its originator Alois Lutz, is a toe jump that takes off from a back outside edge and lands on the back outside edge of the opposite foot. The Lutz is a counter-rotated jump, meaning that the takeoff edge travels in a rotational direction opposite to which the skater rotates in the air and lands. Lutzes can often be identified by the long, backward diagonal glide preparation, though this is not necessary to do a Lutz.
• The Axel jump, named after its originator Axel Paulsen, is an edge jump launched on the forward outside edge and landed on the back outside edge of the opposite foot. Because it has a forward takeoff but lands backwards, an Axel actually has half an extra rotation (i.e. a single Axel is 1.5 revolutions, a double is 2.5 revolutions, a triple is 3.5 revolutions, etc.).

Other jumps

There are also a number of other jumps which are usually performed only as single jumps and in elite skating are used as transitional movements or highlights in step sequences. None of these jumps have assigned point values under the ISU Judging System. These include:

• Bunny hop jump, a non-rotational jump that is typically the first jump learned by beginning skaters.
• Waltz jump, a one-half rotation jump that forms the basis for the Axel jump.

The Waltz Jump is the first jump skaters learn in their journey, after the bunny hop. It might feel scary at first since the skater has to land on one foot, backwards. Maintaining the right balance and landing on the ball of the foot, slightly on the inside edge helps the skater learn it quickly. Learning and perfecting the Waltz Jump is the foundation of learning many other advanced jumps.

• Ballet jump, a one-half rotation jump with a toe loop entrance.
• Mazurka, a one-half rotation jump with a toe loop entrance and scissor leg action in the air.
• Half flip, a one-half rotation jump with a flip entry and forward toe-pick assisted landing.
• Half Lutz, a one-half rotation jump with a Lutz entry and forward toe-pick assisted landing.
• Falling leaf, a one-half rotation jump with a loop entry and forward toe-pick assisted landing.
• Split jump, with either a flip, Lutz, or loop entry and split or straddle position in the air.
• Stag jump, a variation on the split jump.
• Walley jump, a full-rotation edge jump with a counter-rotated entry from a back inside edge to the back outside edge of the same foot.
• Toe Walley, a variation on the toe loop with an inside edge takeoff.
• Half Axel (also known as a "Bell jump"), a one-rotation jump with an Axel entry and a forward landing.
• Delayed Axel, an Axel jump in which the skater delays the rotation in the air.
• Open Axel, an Axel jump in which the skater maintains an open body position in the air instead of pulling in to a back spin position.
• Tuck Axel, an Axel jump in which the skater lifts both knees into a tuck position at the height of the jump.
• Inside Axel (also known as a "Böckl" or "Boeckl"), a one-and-a-half-rotation jump that takes off from the right forward inside edge and lands on the back outside edge of the same foot.
• One-foot Axel (also known as a "Colledge"), a one-and-a-half-rotation jump with a regular Axel takeoff from the left forward outside edge, but landing on the left back inside edge.
• One-foot Salchow, a variation on the Salchow with a landing on a back inside edge.
• One-foot Lutz, a variation on the Lutz with a landing on a back inside edge.
• Toeless Lutz,(also known as a "Dayney"), a counter-rotated edge jump with a takeoff from the back outside edge of the left foot and landing on the back outside edge of the other foot.
• One-and-a-half flip, with a flip entry and forward landing.
• One-and-a-half toe loop, with a toe loop entry and forward landing.

Additionally:

• A flutz is a flawed Lutz jump, that takes off from an inside edge (like a flip jump) instead of the intended outside edge. (Flip Lutz Jump = flutz Jump)
• A lip is a flawed flip jump, that takes off from an outside edge (like a Lutz jump) instead of the intended inside edge. (Lutz Flip Jump = lip Jump)
• A toe Axel is a flawed double toe loop jump, in which the skater pre-rotates the jump and takes off by stepping forward onto the toe pick.
• A waxel is a failed Axel attempt, in which the skater slips off the takeoff edge, often resulting in a fall.

Combinations

Combinations are defined as two or more jumps in which the take-off edge of the second (or third) jump is the same as the landing edge of the first jump. The most common jumps on the back end of a combination are the toe loop and loop because they take off from a back outside edge. Loops are more likely to be judged as under-rotated or downgraded.^[7] To execute combinations ending with Salchows or flips, a half loop, which lands on a backward inside edge, is employed as a connecting jump.

In theory, jumps with a counter-rotated entry, such as the Lutz and Walley, can be used as the second jump of combination when preceded by a jump with the opposite rotational sense, such as a combination of a clockwise Walley and counter-clockwise Lutz. In practice, this is rarely attempted because most skaters only train jumps in one direction.

In international competition, a combination of two jumps is a required element for single skaters in the short program. The ISU Judging System restricts combinations in the free skate to a maximum of three jumps.

Sequences

A jump sequence consists of 2 (two) jumps of any number of revolutions, beginning with any jump, immediately followed by an Axel type jump with a direct step from the landing curve of the first jump to the take-off curve of the Axel jump.^[8] The old definition of jump sequences prior to the 2018/19 season was "Jumps that are not directly linked from landing to take-off edge are considered sequences. Sequences often include "decorative" jumps like toe loop". Long sequences of single and double jumps used to be common in figure skating through the 1980s, but became more rare as skaters instead packed their programs with triple and quadruple jumps. Under the ISU Judging System, jump sequences are worth 80% of what they would be worth if the same jumps were executed in combination, and in some cases carry less value than just doing the most difficult jump in the sequence as a solo jump.

Jumps in pair skating

Throw jumps

A throw loop entrance

A throw jump in mid-air

The throw jump is a required element in pair skating. In a throw jump, the lady is assisted on a standard jump by her partner and lands on a back outside edge as if she were jumping alone. Different pairs may use different techniques or holds.^[10]

It is unknown who performed the first throw triple jump. The first throw quadruple jump was performed by Tiffany Vise / Derek Trent of the United States.^[11]

The current scale of values is:^[1]

Throw jump (Th)	Base value (BV)	BV if <	GOE +3	GOE +2	GOE +1	GOE −1	GOE −2	GOE −3
1T	1.1	0.9	+0.9	+0.6	+0.3	−0.3	−0.6	−0.9
1S	1.1	0.9
1Lo	1.4	1.0
1F	1.4	1.0
1Lz	1.4	1.0
1A	2.2	1.5	+1.5	+1.0	+0.5	−0.5	−1.0	−1.5
2T	2.5	1.8
2S	2.5	1.8
2Lo	2.8	2.0
2F	3.0	2.1
2Lz	3.0	2.1
2A	4.0	2.8	+2.1	+1.4	+0.7	−0.7	−1.4	−2.1
3T	4.5	3.2
3S	4.5	3.2
3Lo	5.0	3.5
3F	5.5	3.9
3Lz	5.5	3.9
3A	7.7	5.4	+3.0	+2.0	+1.0	−1.0	−2.0	−3.0
4T	8.2	5.7
4S	8.2	5.7
4Lo	8.7	6.1
4F	9.0	6.3
4Lz	9.0	6.3

History of first jumps

Men's singles

Jump	Abbr.	Base value	Name	Nation	Year	Competition
First single toe loop	1T	0.4	Bruce Mapes	United States	1920s
First single Salchow	1S	0.4	Ulrich Salchow	Sweden	1909
First single loop	1Lo	0.5	Werner Rittberger	Germany	1910
First single euler	1Eu	0.5	Per Thorén	Sweden	1900s
First single flip	1F	0.5
First single Lutz	1Lz	0.6	Alois Lutz	Austria	1913	[12]
First single Axel	1A	1.1	Axel Paulsen	Norway	1882
First double toe loop	2T	1.3
First double Salchow	2S	1.3	Gillis Grafström	Sweden	1920s
First double loop	2Lo	1.8
First double flip	2F	1.9
First double Lutz	2Lz	2.1
First double Axel	2A	3.3	Dick Button	United States	1948	Winter Olympics [13]
First double Axel at the Olympics	2A	3.3	Dick Button	United States	1948	Winter Olympics [13]
First triple toe loop	3T	4.3	Thomas Litz	United States	1964	World Championships [14]
First triple toe loop at the Olympics	3T	4.3
First triple Salchow	3S	4.4	Ronnie Robertson	United States	1955	World Championships
First triple Salchow at the Olympics	3S	4.4	Ronnie Robertson	United States	1956	Winter Olympics
First triple loop	3Lo	5.1	Dick Button	United States	1952	Winter Olympics
First triple loop at the Olympics	3Lo	5.1	Dick Button	United States	1952	Winter Olympics
First triple flip	3F	5.3
First triple flip at the Olympics	3F	5.3
First triple Lutz	3Lz	6.0	Donald Jackson	Canada	1962	World Championships [15]
First triple Lutz at the Olympics	3Lz	6.0
First triple Axel	3A	8.5	Vern Taylor	Canada	1978	World Championships
First triple Axel at the Olympics	3A	8.5
First quadruple toe loop	4T	10.3	Kurt Browning	Canada	1988	World Championships [16][17][18]
First quadruple toe loop at the Olympics	4T	10.3	Zhang Min	China	1994	Winter Olympics
First quadruple Salchow	4S	10.5	Timothy Goebel	United States	1998	Junior Grand Prix Final [19]
First quadruple Salchow at the Olympics	4S	10.5	Timothy Goebel	United States	2002	Winter Olympics
First quadruple loop	4Lo	12.0	Yuzuru Hanyu	Japan	2016	Autumn Classic International[20]
First quadruple loop at the Olympics	4Lo	12.0	No quadruple loop at the Olympics has yet been ratified.
First quadruple flip	4F	12.3	Shoma Uno	Japan	2016	Team Challenge Cup[21][22][23]
First quadruple flip at the Olympics	4F	12.3	Nathan Chen	United States	2018	Winter Olympics [24][25]
First quadruple Lutz	4Lz	13.6	Brandon Mroz	United States	2011	Colorado Springs Invitational [26][27][28]
First quadruple Lutz at the Olympics	4Lz	13.6	Vincent Zhou	United States	2018	Winter Olympics [24][25]
First quadruple Axel	4A	15.0	No quadruple Axel has yet been ratified.

Ladies' singles

Jump	Abbr.	Base value	Name	Nation	Year	Competition
First single toe loop	1T	0.4
First single Salchow	1S	0.4	Theresa Weld	United States	1920	Summer Olympics[29]
First single Salchow at the Olympics	1S	0.4	Theresa Weld	United States	1920	Summer Olympics[29]
First single loop	1Lo	0.5
First single flip	1F	0.5
First single Lutz	1Lz	0.6
First single Axel	1A	1.1	Sonja Henie	Norway
First double toe loop	2T	1.3
First double Salchow	2S	1.3	Cecilia Colledge	Great Britain	1930s	[29]
First double loop	2Lo	1.8
First double flip	2F	1.9
First double Lutz	2Lz	2.1	Alena Vrzáňová	Czechoslovakia	1949	World Championships[30]
First double Axel	2A	3.3	Carol Heiss	United States	1953
First triple toe loop	3T	4.3
First triple Salchow	3S	4.4	Petra Burka	Canada	1962	Canadian Championships
First triple loop	3Lo	5.1	Gabriele Seyfert	East Germany	1968
First triple flip	3F	5.3
First triple Lutz	3Lz	6.0	Denise Biellmann	Switzerland	1978	European Championships [31]
First triple Axel	3A	8.5	Midori Ito	Japan	1989	World Championships [32]
First triple Axel at the Olympics	3A	8.5	Midori Ito	Japan	1992	Winter Olympics
First quadruple toe loop	4T	10.3	Alexandra Trusova	Russia	2018	World Junior Championships [33]
First quadruple toe loop at the Olympics	4T	10.3	No quadruple toe loop at the Olympics has yet been ratified.
First quadruple Salchow	4S	10.5	Miki Ando	Japan	2002	Junior Grand Prix Final [34]
First quadruple Salchow at the Olympics	4S	10.5	No quadruple Salchow at the Olympics has yet been ratified.
First quadruple loop	4Lo	12.0	No quadruple loop has yet been ratified.
First quadruple flip	4F	12.3	No quadruple flip has yet been ratified.
First quadruple Lutz	4Lz	11.5	Alexandra Trusova	Russia	2018	Junior Grand Prix in Armenia [35]
First quadruple Lutz at the Olympics	4Lz	11.5	No quadruple Lutz at the Olympics has yet been ratified.
First quadruple Axel	4A	15.0	No quadruple Axel has yet been ratified.

Pairs

Side-by-side jumps

Jump	Abbr.	Base value	Name	Nation	Year	Competition
First side-by-side double Axel	sbs 2A	3.3
First side-by-side triple toe loop	sbs 3T	4.3
First side-by-side triple Salchow	sbs 3S	4.4
First side-by-side triple loop	sbs 3Lo	5.1
First side-by-side triple flip	sbs 3F	5.3
First side-by-side triple Lutz	sbs 3Lz	6.0	Meagan Duhamel / Ryan Arnold	Canada	2005	Canadian Championships [36]
First side-by-side triple Lutz at the Olympics	sbs 3Lz	6.0	Meagan Duhamel / Eric Radford	Canada	2014	Winter Olympics [37][38]
First side-by-side triple Axel	sbs 3A	8.5	No side-by-side triple Axel has yet been ratified.
First side-by-side quadruple toe loop	sbs 4T	10.3	No side-by-side quadruple toe loop has yet been ratified.
First side-by-side quadruple Salchow	sbs 4S	10.5	No side-by-side quadruple Salchow has yet been ratified.
First side-by-side quadruple loop	sbs 4Lo	12.0	No side-by-side quadruple loop has yet been ratified.
First side-by-side quadruple flip	sbs 4F	12.3	No side-by-side quadruple flip has yet been ratified.
First side-by-side quadruple Lutz	sbs 4Lz	13.6	No side-by-side quadruple Lutz has yet been ratified.
First side-by-side quadruple Axel	sbs 4A	15.0	No side-by-side quadruple Axel has yet been ratified.

Throw jumps

Jump	Abbr.	Base value	Name	Nation	Year	Competition
First throw double Axel	2ATh	4.0
First throw triple toe loop	3TTh	4.5
First throw triple Salchow	3STh	4.5
First throw triple loop	3LoTh	5.0
First throw triple flip	3FTh	5.5
First throw triple Lutz	3LzTh	5.5	Meagan Duhamel / Ryan Arnold	Canada	2005	World Junior Championships [39]
First throw triple Lutz at the Olympics	3LzTh	5.5	Caydee Denney / Jeremy Barrett	United States	2010	Winter Olympics [40]
First throw triple Axel	3ATh	7.7	Rena Inoue / John Baldwin, Jr.	United States	2006	U.S. Championships [41]
First throw triple Axel at the Olympics	3ATh	7.7	Rena Inoue / John Baldwin, Jr.	United States	2006	Winter Olympics[42]
First throw quadruple toe loop	4TTh	8.2	No throw quadruple toe loop has yet been ratified.
First throw quadruple Salchow	4STh	8.2	Tiffany Vise / Derek Trent	United States	2007	Trophée Éric Bompard [43]
First throw quadruple Salchow at the Olympics	4STh	8.2	Meagan Duhamel / Eric Radford	Canada	2018	Winter Olympics [25][44][45]
First throw quadruple loop	4LoTh	8.7	No throw quadruple loop has yet been ratified.
First throw quadruple flip	4FTh	9.0	No throw quadruple flip has yet been ratified.
First throw quadruple Lutz	4LzTh	9.0	No throw quadruple Lutz has yet been ratified.

References

• Figure Skating: Championship Techniques. John Misha Petkevich, 1989. ISBN 0-452-26209-7.
• Single Figure Skating. Josef Dĕdič, 1974.

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Figure skating jumps.

• International Skating Union
• Video demonstration of a throw double loop
• Video demonstration of a double axel