World and Olympic coach Robert Tebby continues his presentation (see Part 1 here) on the toe loop as a second jump (toe loop in combination), both with clarifications on ideas in the previous video as well as helpful information for basic toe loop and double toe loop development. He begins by reiterating the need for the free leg to go around to prepare for a double or triple toe loop as the second jump. If it goes straight back when landing the first jump, a significant amount of rotational energy is lost and alignment and control is very challenging.
Next, Robert offers more detail in terms of timing the various parts of the jump. In the “equal and opposite” part of the jump preparation he discussed in Part 1, he acknowledges that some skaters get more stretch or twist than others, but the position of these maximums (arms-shoulders-core most twisted, jumping leg most bent, free leg reach highest) should happen at the same time. This allows everything to start at the same time to initiate the vertical jumping movement as well as release the rotation. A very common error is counter-rotating or checking too much with the upper body, meaning the free leg will be “ahead” timing wise. In that case, the pick touches the ice before the shoulders have released properly, creating axis and alignment issues as well as “stuck” rotation.
To further clarify the timing, Robert explains that we should really focus on the big picture and “big muscles” rather than specifics of feet and hands or knees and elbows. The big muscles include the quads, the hips (glutes), and the core and “the rest of the linkage alignment (other body parts) should complement that motion.” Robert demonstrates the desired basic movement of the body to create strong jumps. [Editor’s note: observe strong similarity to Chris Conte jump discussion here.] As part of this discussion he also explains that a really deep knee bend is simply not necessary for powerful jumping as maximum quickness and “explosiveness” typically happens when the legs are almost straight. He says, “Most of our explosiveness is closer to the extension of our joints, not the most compressed.” In terms of specific arm timing, the arms should move with the core. If the arms get ahead of the core, “you lose stability.”
To master the desired timing, Robert does an exercise on a circle that starts gliding backward on two feet, then presses down and counter-rotates the arms and free leg as the free foot moves behind, then comes up to two feet again as the shoulders release. He does this exercise twice in a row and on the third one he places the picking toe into the ice and either does a toe loop walkthrough or a single toe. This process teaches the body the correct “timing of everything working together and in unison.”
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