Olympic Team medalist and coach Mirai Nagasu offers feedback to an axel class at a camp, and World and Olympic coach Rafael Arutyunyun explains and shows how to repeat many single or double axels without losing speed. Rafael also adds insights about where to put high point-value jumps in a program (after halfway point). Mirai is working with just a portion of the overall group of skaters on the ice, and the overall session is being led by Rafael.
We join the class with Rafael describing the exercise. Earlier the class had built the skill of using an edge pull on the back outside preparation edge to create speed before the step into axel. After the edge pull, the skater steps out of the preparation edge circle to create an axel with flow. Rafael shows how to apply the same edge pull to the landing of one jump as a setup for the next jump, allowing for long sequences of axels without losing speed. For skaters with 5 jumps in their competitive program, Rafael suggests training with sequences of 5 axels. Rafael and Mirai discuss how it’s possible to use a similar landing exercise for repeated toe loops.
Mirai then offers feedback to a number of skaters. Notice the focus on preparation axis, keeping the non-axis arm outside the circle (across the midline, “left arm to right hip”) on the preparation edge, and landing alignment.
Rafael then addresses the common problems of sticking the hips back into the circle on the preparation edge and free foot placement to allow for an efficient edge pull before the step forward. To create the pull, skaters need to place the free foot back into the circle, but Rafael cautions against it being too high. He wants it very low to the ice. Also notice the low hand position on the back outside edge, with the hands outside the circle at approximately the right hip. The video ends with Mirai offering some advice to a skater about arm swing.
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