THE MINTO SKATING CLUB

 

Introduction

Performing the Jump

Common Mistakes

Variations

Introduction

A waltz jump is a one-half rotation jump, taking off on the outside edge of one foot and landing on the outside edge of the other foot. For most skaters this means a left-foot take-off and a right-foot landing with the counter-clockwise rotation.

 
Performing the Jump

There are two entrances to a waltz jump. The first is a simple forward outside edge entry along a curve that simply jumps into the turn. The second entrance is to glide backwards on a back outside edge and then set your left skate over on the ice on a forward outside edge to change direction and then begin the jump. This change of direction gives momentum going into the jump. The entrance turn is a backwards to forwards mohawk.

In the jump, the free leg swings past the skating leg and the skater begins the rotation. Then the skater lifts off with the edge of the skating foot. The skater then brings their arms up as in the picture to give upwards momentum. The skater then lands on a right, backwards outside edge with a bent knee to absorb the landing. The free leg then extends back straight for proper form. The arms are in 'L' position on landing with the left arm slightly forward and the right arm out to the right. This checks the landing and then the arms extend for proper form. Once properly landed the skater should be able to continue gliding on the landing edge for several seconds.

It is important to see the co-ordination of the momentum of the entrance, the initiation of the rotation while on the ice, the upward momentum gained through the arm movement, the proper flow of the body and shoulders through the rotation and then the proper positions of the skating leg, free leg and arms on landing.

It is important to note that the description above is for a counter-clockwise rotation. Many skaters jump (and spin) in a clockwise rotation. For these skaters all the elements described above are the same but the direction is reversed.

 
Common Mistakes

There are several common mistakes that can be made in all jumps. However, most mistakes in a waltz jump will simply result in it not looking satisfactory rather than causing frequent falls.

Momentum - too much momentum will over-rotate the jump and the skater could land on at sharp angle to take-off and fall. Too little momentum and the skater could under-rotate and fall.

Not using arms to gain upwards momentum. This is easy to do because the jump does not require much height to be landed successfully. However other jumps will require this height and it is important to learn to co-ordinate the arms in an easy jump such as the waltz so that the arm coordination will be natural in more complex jumps such as the lutz. When using the arms for lift it is important to not raise the shoulders but to bend the arms and pull up from the waist.

Sideways falling. The skater must jump up straight and not be leaning as the lean will continue while in the air and possible cause the skater to fall on landing. Remember - stay vertical.

Scratchy landings - absorb the impact of landing with a properly bent knee so the blade does not go up on the toe picks. This will slow the landing and give the jump poor visual form.

Poor free leg extension - after landing, extend the free leg straight and turn out the leg from the hip down to a pointed toe. Landing with a bent free leg in any jump will cause lower scoring marks.

Improper arm checking - on landing if the arms are not checked, the skater will continue to rotate and be unable to continue a smooth glide. The skater will not usually fall but will be forced to stop gliding and prematurely place the free leg back on the ice to move to another skating position.

 
Variations

The common variations of the waltz jump is to integrate a waltz jump into a jump combination.

One variation is to change the position of the free leg on landing. Instead of extending the free leg behind the skating leg, bring the free leg in front and over the skating leg on landing. The skater is then in the position to perform a loop jump.

Another variation is to extend the free leg on landing as usual and use the free leg to pick into a toe-loop jump.