International coach and jump specialist Nick Perna begins an axel class for higher level skaters who can already do single axels and are working toward double axels. He begins by sharing a list of features of good waltz jumps in preparation for axel work. He notes that “if you have a poor quality waltz jump, you’re probably going to have a poor quality axel.”
A good waltz jump should not have any toe scratching on the preparation edge, as this not only affects speed and flow, but it also affects jump alignment. Nick says, “A good way to avoid the scratch is to step off the heel (of the axis foot). Step from heel to heel.”
A good waltz jump has the free side shoulder and hip back on the take-off edge. The free leg should be bent and the free foot flexed (not pointed). The arms start back and go straight through. In particular, the free arm should not go around.
Nick spends some time reminding the skaters of the importance of head control and head anchoring. On a good waltz jump the head should stay up and facing the jump direction, and it stays up throughout the jump and landing (no looking down at the ice). A good waltz jump also has a landing that the skater can hold for “3 bananas.”
