World and Olympic coach Audrey Weisiger teaches a class some challenging but valuable double loop drills. The skaters in this class can already do double loops, so the purpose of the drills is to develop complete mastery as well as learn skills necessary for triple loop as well as double axel and all triple jumps. These drills also work with single loop as preparation for the double.
The first drill is a slight forward inside edge on the non-take-off foot and then a step to the take-off foot with the feet crossed and both feet on the ice followed by a single loop landed in alignment. Audrey explains, “Alignment is always landed on two feet with your arms in a frame, over your axis.” This drill forces shoulder control and demands landing preparation while still in the air.
For the second drill, Audrey has the class again begin on a slight forward inside edge on the non-take-off foot but this time rather than simply step onto the outside take-off edge, the skater hops to that edge. This hop is then followed by crossing the feet with both feet on the ice to stabilize, prior to performing a double loop with a regular jump landing. Audrey notes that, “This is extremely challenging” but many skaters in this class can do this drill well. Skaters who find this drill too difficult can instead do a single loop landed in alignment.
Audrey asks, “If you’re not over your access hip where do you go? Way outside the circle.” She mentions a specific jump attempt by Ryan Bradley (US 2011 Men’s Champion) who was also at the camp and attempting double loops in the opposite direction (not his normal rotational direction) for fun earlier in the day, with a number of spectacular and memorable falls. The purpose of Audrey’s comment wasn’t to bash Ryan, but to use his misfortune as a teaching opportunity for these skaters.
Audrey mentions an even harder drill but does not have the class perform it. It is the same as the previous drill except the skater must remain on one foot after the hop and prior to the double loop take-off. Audrey then tells a story about Olympic Champion Evan Lysacek who persistently practiced this drill until he could do it (with triple loop). She uses the story to highlight the fact that the best skaters typically enjoy being challenged and mastering difficult drills, which is an attitude all aspiring skaters should cultivate.
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