International coach and jump specialist Jeremy Allen demonstrates the two primary ways of performing an Euler and he discusses the differences as well as insights about under-rotations. He begins by noting that an Euler is also called a half loop. It takes off from the axis foot and lands backward on the non-axis foot.
Jeremy says, “There’s a couple different ways to do it, and you’re going to see different styles.” One method is “like a loop take-off” with the free foot in front and crossed “with the knees stacked” where the skater pivots to forward at take-off and lands backward on the other foot. Jeremy demonstrates this by itself and then after a waltz jump. Notice the extension of the free leg behind on the landing.
For the second method, the skater starts to check out the free leg from the previous jump and initiates the Euler with the free leg behind. Jeremy demonstrates how this is done where he pulls the free leg back to a tucked or collected position from the extension, and then performs the pivot to forward and hops over to the other foot.
Jeremy doesn’t recommend one version over the other, suggesting instead that skaters can do the one that is most comfortable. He does however acknowledge there may be a slight benefit with the second version with the leg behind, as a skater can use the free leg motion to help create a small amount of momentum to enhance flow and jump distance and maintain energy for the subsequent jump in the sequence (flip or salchow). He demonstrates this from a waltz jump.
A common error with Eulers is for skaters to land forward on the landing foot and then perform a three-turn on the ice. Done correctly, the Euler should land backward. To help skaters with this issue, Jeremy suggests using “the right (axis) side to push through a little bit.” If the shoulders are strongly checked throughout the Euler, it’s much harder to release and land backward. Jeremy demonstrates this, as well as the exaggerated correction, showing the pre-rotation of the shoulders as well as a very clear push through with the axis shoulder and arm. He also explains that it’s very important to pivot all the way to forward on the take-off itself.
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