International coach and jump specialist Nick Perna continues an axel development series for young skaters at a camp. In the previous parts of the series (Part 1, Part 2, Part 3), Nick worked with a class on early axel concepts as they relate to waltz jump. In this video, Nick is working with another class which is at a slightly higher level, and some of these skaters can land an axel but most still cannot. Nick begins the class by highlighting a few different skaters attempting an axel, and discussing the issues and challenges for each skater.
The first skater lands an axel, and Nick points out how the skater uses the arms correctly. He takes this opportunity to warn the class against swinging the arms around (especially the free/axis side arm). He also explains, “Axels evolve over time, to get stronger and faster and bigger and higher and prettier and all that. But those fundamental pieces, those building blocks you have to have in place now.”
The next highlighted skater starts an axel and opens without committing to rotation. Although there are technical issues with the jump, Nick chooses to discuss the idea of opening on a jump due to doubt. The mental aspects of learning new jumps is important for skaters to understand at this level, and Nick explains how it builds character and life skills. The next skater has a reasonable take-off but doesn’t commit to crossing the feet and landing the jump and instead sits down. As Nick explains, she’s just too “used to falling down on it.”
At this point, Nick has the class do axel walk-throughs. As he explains, this is not a waltz jump backspin or waltz jump loop jump, and does not jump at all. He demonstrates what he wants, and he emphasizes to the class he wants just one turn in the backspin. He says, “See how accurately you can get over your right side in a d-position.” In general the class really struggles with the d-position, especially the basic concept of crossing the feet. Nick says, “If you can’t make it one whole turn around in a d-position, you’re not balanced and lined up over your (axis) side correctly.” For skaters that struggle to keep the feet crossed for the full rotation, Nick suggests trying to go for two rotations with the feet crossed (although the goal is still just one rotation done correctly). He says, “Think of doing 2 backspins (rotations), but don’t actually do 2 backspins (rotations).” At the end of the video Nick summarizes that a consistent and accurate axel walkthrough is an important part of learning the axel.
Sorry, this content is for members only.Click here to get access.
Already a member? Login below… |
Add to "My Favorites" (Beta testing)
