Nick Perna

Nick Perna is a National, International, and World coach and has been coaching for over 30 years.  He’s been on the faculty of several Team USA Training Camps and has been instrumental in the development of many skating champions worldwide.  His students have included Michael Weiss, Sasha Cohen and Sarah Hughes and all have benefited from his innovative coaching ideas and knowledge of the hand-held jump harness.  Nick is a US Figure Skating Gold Medalist and a PSA Master Rated Instructor in Freestyle and Pairs.  He’s also been a presenter at several PSA Conferences.  Nick was a World Coach at the 2001 World Championships with Christine Lee.

Nick is perhaps most well known for his pioneering and promotional work with the hand-held jump harness.  The hand-held harness, also called a pole harness, allows skaters to use their normal jump entries while providing safety, a sense of security, and added flight time when attempting difficult jumps.  Nick has used the hand-held harness since it was created.  In fact, because he’s been using the pole harness so often and for so long, almost everyone in the skating industry thinks he invented it.

Although Nick did not invent the hard-held harness, he has invented a number of other skating-related tools and equipment.  He holds Patents on several different inventions, including his latest, the “Freedom Blade.”  To learn more about his inventions, please see this article at About.com.

Nick has been teaching with Olympic coach Audrey Weisiger for over thirty years at the Fairfax Ice Arena in Fairfax, Virginia.  Nick is also a faculty member of Audrey Weisiger’s Grassroots to Champions seminar series.  Nick regularly works with skaters from around the country and around the world.

Most recent videos at the top…

New Lutz Insights and Exercises – Part 2 (Nick Perna)
International coach and jump specialist Nick Perna continues a series of videos covering new insights and exercises for the lutz jump. In Part 1, Nick shared the Pigeon Toe Walk exercise to maintain the body in the correct position to… Continue reading
New Lutz Insights and Exercises – Part 1 (Nick Perna)
International coach and jump specialist Nick Perna begins a series of videos covering new insights and exercises for the lutz jump. He begins by acknowledging the added importance today of having the correct take-off edge on lutz in IJS competitions,… Continue reading
Mindset of Popping and Fear (Nick Perna)
In this video, International coach and jump specialist Nick Perna continues giving a lesson on double toe loop where the skater has a mental block in terms of crossing the feet in the air. In the first part of this… Continue reading
Crossing the Feet on Double Toe Loop (Nick Perna)
International coach and jump specialist Nick Perna gives a lesson on double toe loop. He begins by asking for a double toe, but the skater never crosses the feet and lands the jump on two feet facing forward. Nick is… Continue reading
Triple Salchow Lesson (Nick Perna)
International coach and jump specialist Nick Perna gives a lesson on triple salchow. He begins with single salchow, single loop, single toe loop in combo, and then a double salchow, single loop, single toe in combo. After that Nick asks… Continue reading
Important Lutz Fundamentals (Nick Perna)
International coach and jump specialist Nick Perna continues working with a class of beginner skaters on the lutz jump. In the first part of this class, Nick focused on helping the skaters understand and see what a proper lutz is.… Continue reading
Seeing the Lutz Edge (Nick Perna)
International coach and jump specialist Nick Perna is working with a class of beginner skaters on the lutz jump. The focus of this video is making sure the class understands what a proper lutz is and how to see it.… Continue reading
Lutz – Entry Steps and Pick Placement (Nick Perna)
International coach and jump specialist Nick Perna teaches a double/triple lutz class to advanced skaters at a seminar. Rather than starting immediately with the lutz, Nick begins by discussing the edge for the flip jump. For those struggling with the… Continue reading
Double Lutz in Lesson (Nick Perna)
International coach and jump specialist Nick Perna continues a jump lesson. In the first part of this lesson Nick taught axel and double salchow drills. In the second part of the lesson he worked on double toe loop, double loop,… Continue reading
A Few Double Jumps in Lesson (Nick Perna)
International coach and jump specialist Nick Perna continues a jump lesson. In the first part of this lesson Nick taught axel and double salchow drills. In this video, they work on double toe loop, double loop, and double flip. On… Continue reading
Some Jump Drills (Nick Perna)
International coach and jump specialist Nick Perna gives a jump lesson, beginning with waltz jump drills. The first drill is a waltz jump, “land forward” on one foot, then snap into twizzle rotation prior to a strong landing position. For… Continue reading
Overlooked Axel Drill (Nick Perna)
International coach and jump specialist Nick Perna teaches a skater a basic axel development drill, referred to as the “axel pivot drill.” As you can see in the previous video, this skater is just starting the axel journey and the… Continue reading
Common Single Jump Errors (Nick Perna)
International coach and jump specialist Nick Perna begins a lesson with a young skater and works through the single jumps. Every coach in the world who works with skaters at this level regularly sees these errors. Nick starts with a… Continue reading
Single Jump Lesson – Part 3 (Nick Perna)
International coach and jump specialist Nick Perna continues a lesson with a skater who is working to improve her single jumps. In Part 1 of the lesson, Nick worked on backspin, h-position, d-position, and landing position. In Part 2 the… Continue reading
Single Jump Lesson – Part 2 (Nick Perna)
International coach and jump specialist Nick Perna continues a lesson with a skater who is working to improve her single jumps. In Part 1 of the lesson, Nick worked on backspin, h-position, d-position, and landing position. In this short video,… Continue reading
Single Jump Lesson – Part 1 (Nick Perna)
International coach and jump specialist Nick Perna gives a lesson to a skater who is working to improve her single jumps. Nick begins the lesson by asking for a backspin, and based on the weakness of the spin he focuses… Continue reading
Double Axel Drills – Part 2 (Nick Perna)
International coach and jump specialist Nick Perna continues a lesson with a skater who is starting to work on double axel. In Part 1 of this lesson, Nick focused on determining the readiness for this skater to try double axels… Continue reading
Double Axel Drills – Part 1 (Nick Perna)
International coach and jump specialist Nick Perna gives a lesson to a skater who is starting to work on double axel. In the first part of this lesson, Nick is focused on determining the readiness for this skater to try… Continue reading
Frisbee Provides Jumping Insights (Nick Perna)
International coach and jump specialist Nick Perna offers a number of helpful jumping insights based on the concepts associated with throwing a frisbee. As he notes, many skaters benefit from seeing and using physical objects for understanding important ideas. Nick… Continue reading
Lutz Drills and Insights (Nick Perna)
International coach and jump specialist Nick Perna shares his updated process for developing the lutz jump. Nick briefly references his earlier iCoachSkating lutz videos which can be seen here: Introduction and Basics, Correcting the Edge, and Setups. These videos focus… Continue reading
Edge Drill – How The Legs And Feet Turn (Nick Perna)
International coach Nick Perna shares an edge drill intended to help skaters feel how to properly use their feet and ankles, as well as their legs and hips when creating edges. Historically, edges have typically been taught as sideways leans… Continue reading
Exercise to Increase Jump Height and Distance (Nick Perna)
International coach Nick Perna shares a fun and effective exercise to help skaters learn to jump higher and farther. Initially used primarily with waltz jump, this exercise is also good for salchow (and even axel). First Nick draws the take-off… Continue reading
Jump Air Position – Upper Body (Nick Perna)
International coach Nick Perna shares insights about the air position used in jumps by elite skaters. As a critical observer of everything in skating, Nick has found that jumping air position of the upper body has just two critical parts.… Continue reading
What is Proper Alignment? (Nick Perna)
International coach Nick Perna discusses and demonstrates proper skating alignment, including a way for coaches and skaters to test for it. Historically, proper alignment was taught in detail on test figures or school figures, meaning that each new generation of… Continue reading
Grapevine Variations and the Salchow (Nick Perna)
International coach Nick Perna continues his presentation on his “grapevine” exercise. In the first video he demonstrated how to perform the grapevine and how to teach it in sections. In this video, he explains how to create useful variations by… Continue reading
The Grapevine (Nick Perna)
International coach Nick Perna shares a skating drill he calls “The Grapevine.” The exercise gets it’s name from the off-ice grapevine agility exercise, which includes twisting and alternating foot positions. Nick explains that this is a fun exercise that all… Continue reading
Comparing Salchow Take-Off Techniques (Nick Perna)
Figure skating jump specialist Nick Perna compares 2 common but very different types of take-offs we see for the salchow jump. In the video he is comparing a triple salchow by Olympic Champion Yuna Kim and one by US Ladies… Continue reading
Double and Triple Lutz Prints and Theory (Nick Perna)
International coach and jump specialist Nick Perna continues his series of videos discussing and explaining the prints left on the ice for various jumps. In this video he discusses the double and triple lutz print. Other videos in this series:… Continue reading
Double and Triple Flip Jump Prints and Theory (Nick Perna)
International coach and jump specialist Nick Perna continues his series of videos discussing and explaining the prints left on the ice for various jumps. In this video he discusses the double and triple flip jump print. Other videos in this… Continue reading
4 Statues Balance Drill (Nick Perna)
International coach and jump specialist Nick Perna shares an off-ice drill whose purpose is to improve balance and control of the 4 main skating positions.  The demonstrating skater has a large asterisk on the floor to help with visualizing… Continue reading
Remote Off-Ice Video Jump Lesson – Part 10 (Nick Perna)
International coach and jump specialist Nick Perna walks us through a remote off-ice video jump lesson. We can’t hear what Nick is saying to his skater, but he talks over the entire lesson with detailed information about what is going… Continue reading
Remote Off-Ice Video Jump Lesson – Part 9 (Nick Perna)
International coach and jump specialist Nick Perna walks us through a remote off-ice video jump lesson. We can’t hear what Nick is saying to his skater, but he talks over the entire lesson with detailed information about what is going… Continue reading
Remote Off-Ice Video Jump Lesson – Part 8 (Nick Perna)
International coach and jump specialist Nick Perna walks us through a remote off-ice video jump lesson. We can’t hear what Nick is saying to his skater, but he talks over the entire lesson with detailed information about what is going… Continue reading
Remote Off-Ice Video Jump Lesson – Part 7 (Nick Perna)
International coach and jump specialist Nick Perna walks us through a remote off-ice video jump lesson. We can’t hear what Nick is saying to his skater, but he talks over the entire lesson with detailed information about what is going… Continue reading
Remote Off-Ice Video Jump Lesson – Part 6 (Nick Perna)
International coach and jump specialist Nick Perna walks us through a remote off-ice video jump lesson. We can’t hear what Nick is saying to his skater, but he talks over the entire lesson with detailed information about what is going… Continue reading
Remote Off-Ice Video Jump Lesson – Part 5 (Nick Perna)
International coach and jump specialist Nick Perna walks us through a remote off-ice video jump lesson. We can’t hear what Nick is saying to his skater, but he talks over the entire lesson with detailed information about what is going… Continue reading
Remote Off-Ice Video Jump Lesson – Part 4 (Nick Perna)
International coach and jump specialist Nick Perna walks us through a remote off-ice video jump lesson. We can’t hear what Nick is saying to his skater, but he talks over the entire lesson with detailed information about what is going… Continue reading
Remote Off-Ice Video Jump Lesson – Part 3 (Nick Perna)
International coach and jump specialist Nick Perna walks us through a remote off-ice video jump lesson. We can’t hear what Nick is saying to his skater, but he talks over the entire lesson with detailed information about what is going… Continue reading
Remote Off-Ice Video Jump Lesson – Part 2 (Nick Perna)
International coach and jump specialist Nick Perna walks us through a remote off-ice video jump lesson. We can’t hear what Nick is saying to his skater, but he talks over the entire lesson with detailed information about what is going… Continue reading
Remote Off-Ice Video Jump Lesson – Part 1 (Nick Perna)
International coach and jump specialist Nick Perna walks us through a remote off-ice video jump lesson. We can’t hear what Nick is saying to his skater, but he talks over the entire lesson with detailed information about what is going… Continue reading
Double and Triple Loop Jump Prints and Theory (Nick Perna)
International coach and jump specialist Nick Perna continues his series of videos discussing and explaining the prints left on the ice for various jumps. In this video he discusses the double and triple loop jump print. Other videos in this… Continue reading
Double and Triple Toe Loop Prints and Theory (Nick Perna)
International coach Nick Perna continues his series of videos discussing and explaining the prints left on the ice for various jumps. In this video he discusses the double and triple toe loop from a forward inside three turn entrance. Nick… Continue reading
Double and Triple Salchow Prints – Part 2 (Nick Perna)
International coach Nick Perna continues a presentation on the print left on the ice by a good double or triple salchow. In Part 1 of this presentation, Nick talked at length about the print and the salchow technique needed to… Continue reading
Double and Triple Salchow Prints (Nick Perna)
International coach Nick Perna discusses the print left on the ice by a good double or triple salchow. This video is related to Nick’s other presentations on jump prints such as axel prints and landing prints. In this video, he… Continue reading
Landing Prints and What They Mean (Nick Perna)
International coach Nick Perna talks about jump landing prints and what they mean. This video is related to Nick’s other presentations on jump prints such as axel prints. Nick begins this discussion with typical landing prints for under-rotated and down-graded… Continue reading
Important Axel Tips (Nick Perna)
International coach Nick Perna continues his discussion of the axel jump. In a related video, Nick described in detail an axel setup he uses and the print left on the ice from a good axel take-off. In this video,… Continue reading
Print Left on Ice for Axel (Nick Perna)
International coach Nick Perna explains in detail what the print or tracing looks like for an axel based on how he teaches the jump. A good axel needs to have flow on the jump entry and flow on the landing… Continue reading
Tips For Power and Speed (Nick Perna)
International coach Nick Perna talks about speed and power and offers some tips for developing more speed and power. To begin the video, he stresses the need to encourage skaters to “crunch” the ice on every push. He says, “If… Continue reading
The U-Turn Drill (Nick Perna)
International coach and jump specialist Nick Perna shares a simple drill or jump concept for properly “turning over” the axel jump. The drill is done at the wall to provide something for the skater to hang on to. Nick explains… Continue reading
Jump Air Position – The Knuckle Drill (Nick Perna)
International coach Nick Perna shares a drill he calls the “knuckle drill” to help skaters work on their jump air position for multi-rotation jumps. The drill can also be effective as a training tool for the backspin. To do the… Continue reading
Waltz Jump and Axel Drill – 3 Statues, Part 2 (Nick Perna)
International coach Nick Perna continues his explanation of the “3 Statues Drill” that he uses to help skaters develop the proper timing necessary for stepping up strongly into a waltz jump or axel. One of the most common errors with… Continue reading
Waltz Jump and Axel Drill – 3 Statues, Part 1 (Nick Perna)
International coach Nick Perna explains the “3 Statues Drill” he uses to help skaters develop the proper timing necessary for stepping up strongly into a waltz jump or axel. One of the most common errors with the waltz jump or… Continue reading
Skating Fundamentals: One Foot Balance (Nick Perna)
International coach Nick Perna talks about the importance of learning to balance at a standstill on one foot. To help skaters master the control of the exit edges of turns, Nick uses a drill he calls the hitchy coo which… Continue reading
Comparing Lutz Take-Off Techniques (Nick Perna)
Figure skating jump specialist Nick Perna compares the 2 different types of take-offs we see for the lutz jump. In the video he is comparing a triple lutz take-off by 1998 Olympic Champion Ilia Kulik and a triple lutz take-off… Continue reading
3 Types of Jump Walk-Throughs (Nick Perna)
International coach Nick Perna offers important insights regarding jump walk-throughs. Nick begins by explaining the importance of doing walkthroughs, and cites examples of elite skaters repeatedly doing walkthroughs just before competing. But just doing walkthroughs is not enough. They need… Continue reading
Air Position Exercises and Insights (Nick Perna)
International coach Nick Perna begins a jump lesson with some h-position and d-position drills. The skater in the lesson is a relatively high level skater, and she makes the drills look easy. But for younger and less advanced skaters, there… Continue reading
Double Axel Lesson, Part 2 – Press Up Not Out (Nick Perna)
International coach Nick Perna continues a double axel lesson. In Part 1, Nick focused on quickness drills and used the double loop to work on quickness, alignment, and air position. In this video, Nick starts with a double axel attempt… Continue reading
Double Axel Lesson, Part 1 – Warmup and Quickness Drills (Nick Perna)
International coach Nick Perna gives a double axel lesson. To begin the lesson, he “learns about” the skater by observing a backspin, several waltz jumps, a single axel, and then some double loops. In this first part of the lesson,… Continue reading
Drills to Cross Feet in Jumps (Nick Perna)
International coach Nick Perna is giving a skater a lesson on the double toe loop, and trying to get the skater to cross her feet in the air. This is a common problem, so seeing the process that Nick uses… Continue reading
The Stomping Drill, Part 2: The Jumps (Nick Perna)
International coach Nick Perna continues his discussion of the stomping drill. In Part 1, he introduced the drill and showed how to use it with a variety of skating elements. In this video, he focuses on the jumps and how… Continue reading
The Stomping Drill (Nick Perna)
International coach Nick Perna talks about “stomping” and how and why to use it in figure skating. He calls these exercises “The Stomping Drill.” Nick says, “If you can hit any edge at any time in a gliding position, whether… Continue reading
Flexed Toes – A Secret of Top Coaches (Nick Perna)
International coach Nick Perna shares a controversial “secret” used by top coaches and top skaters.  Common wisdom in skating has skaters constantly trying to point their toes.  But as Nick explains, there are times where straightening the… Continue reading
Building a Double Toe Loop (Nick Perna)
International coach Nick Perna gives a double toe loop lesson at a skating camp. Overall, this video provides a progression of exercises and drills any coach and skater can use to build a double toe loop.  On the… Continue reading
Alignment Tip for Double Loop Jump (Nick Perna)
International coach Nick Perna works with a skater on her double loop.  This is a short section of a much longer lesson, and this section offers a valuable tip for coaches and skaters.  For skaters having trouble… Continue reading
Learn to “Flox” (Nick Perna)
In this very short video, Nick Perna is working with a skater on his air position.  One of the most common similarities among elite skaters in terms of air position is a locked axis leg and a flexed axis… Continue reading
Drill For Teaching Jump Direction – The Disco Dance (Nick Perna)
International and World figure skating coach Nick Perna shares a drill he calls the “disco dance” which he uses to help skaters understand the concept of flow or flight direction in a jump.  In the last video by… Continue reading
Using a Frisbee to Discuss Jump Trajectory and Flow (Nick Perna)
International and World figure skating coach Nick Perna talks about jump trajectory and flow in the context of throwing a frisbee.  Nick notes, “A jump is supposed to be moving through space, turning, and in a straight line,… Continue reading
Teaching Turns Using “Hitchy Coo” – Part 2 (Nick Perna)
International and World figure skating coach Nick Perna continues his explanation of how he teaches turns for complete mastery.  In the first part of this video, Nick showed how he teaches a forward outside three-turn on a straight… Continue reading
Teaching Turns on a Straight Line Using “Hitchy Coo” (Nick Perna)
International and World figure skating coach Nick Perna shares a method for teaching complete mastery of all one foot turns in figure skating.  He does not introduce this at the Learn-to-Skate level, but after a skater has developed… Continue reading
Edge Control With Turns (Nick Perna)
International and World figure skating coach Nick Perna explains and demonstrates a simple drill he uses to build edge control and complete mastery of turns.  This video is a follow-up to his video on the Shut Up Drill. … Continue reading
Edge Control With the “Shut Up Drill” (Nick Perna)
International and World figure skating coach Nick Perna explains a very simple drill he uses to build edge control.  This is a drill every figure skating coach has used at one point or another, but probably not with all… Continue reading
Alignment Drill, Part 2 – Edges and Turns (Nick Perna)
Figure skating coach Nick Perna shares a drill related to the alignment drill on 2 feet with the feet crossed.  This version of the drill is simple in concept, but it can be very challenging.  It develops great… Continue reading
Alignment Drill – Mastering Feet Underneath (Nick Perna)
Figure skating coach Nick Perna offers a set of drills intended to improve a skater’s alignment and get them comfortable with their feet under them.  These drills fall under the category of “skating skills.”  Alignment issues plaque skaters… Continue reading
Back Outside Pivot – Basic Skills (Nick Perna)
Figure skating coach Nick Perna continues his explanation of pivots. Check out Part 1 and Part 2.  In this video, Nick discusses the back outside pivot.  This pivot is typically learned in basic skills classes and it helps… Continue reading
Pivots – Part 2 (Nick Perna)
Figure skating coach Nick Perna continues his explanation of pivots. You can see Part 1 of his presentation here.  In this video, Nick begins by noting there are 8 different pivots in total.  These are forward inside, back… Continue reading
Pivots – Part 1 (Nick Perna)
Figure skating coach Nick Perna explains how he teaches pivots.  Nick thinks pivots are often overlooked because skaters usually learn them so early in the skating development process and coaches aren’t demanding about improving the positions.  Also, even… Continue reading
More Edge and Blade Usage Drills Including Secret Double Axel Drill (Nick Perna)
Figure skating coach Nick Perna provides a more advanced version of his Banana Drill on one foot.  The inside edge version of this drill is easier, but skaters should master stopping on both inside and outside edges, and both… Continue reading
Drill for Blade Usage, Alignment, and Balance on Turns (Nick Perna)
Figure skating coach Nick Perna explains a drill he uses to help skaters develop balance, proper body alignment, and better blade usage in order to improve turns.  The basic drill has the skater standing still on two feet, and… Continue reading
Multi-purpose Skating Drills All Skaters Should Master (Nick Perna)
Figure skating coach Nick Perna shares two very important drills.  These exercises are deceptively difficult, and represent a clever way to develop important skating skills.  Both of these drills benefit the skater in two major ways: The skater… Continue reading
Axel Edge Pressure – Part 2 (Nick Perna)
Figure skating coach and jump specialist Nick Perna continues his discussion of the axel take-off edge.  In Part 1, Nick shared the wall kick drill. In this video, he starts with a discussion of the hockey glide or hockey… Continue reading
Axel Edge Pressure – Part 1 (Nick Perna)
Figure skating coach Nick Perna offers tips for skaters to improve their axel take-off edge.  The take-off edge on the axel jump is probably one of the most misunderstood aspects of figure skating.  Nick explains that many skaters… Continue reading
Adult Figure Skating – Adult Leg Syndrome – Part 2 (Nick Perna)
World coach and adult figure skating advocate Nick Perna continues his discussion on correcting a common jump issue for adults that figure skate.  He calls the problem “adult leg syndrome.”  In Part 1, he discussed the problem and… Continue reading
Adult Figure Skating – Adult Leg Syndrome (Nick Perna)
World coach and adult figure skating advocate Nick Perna addresses a common jump problem for adults that figure skate.  He calls it “adult leg syndrome” and it’s characterized by landing with the free foot to the side or behind… Continue reading
Loop Jump Development – Part 2 (Nick Perna)
Figure skating coach Nick Perna continues his discussion about the process and drills he uses to develop the loop jump.  In Part 1, he covered a quite a few drills including the Bread Drill, Backward Power Pulls with the… Continue reading
Loop Jump Development – Part 1 (Nick Perna)
In this figure skating video, coach Nick Perna discusses the process and drills he uses to develop the loop jump take-off edge.  Typically a skater learns a waltz jump and a single salchow and a single toe loop before… Continue reading
Figure Skating Jumps: On-Ice Air Turns – Part 3 (Nick Perna)
This video is the third and final part in a series with Nick Perna teaching an on-ice air turn class. In the previous two videos in the series Nick showed several very helpful jumping exercises for skaters (see Part 1… Continue reading
Figure Skating Jumps: On-Ice Air Turns – Part 2 (Nick Perna)
The figure skating video below is the second in a series of videos covering on-ice air turns with Nick Perna.  In part 1 Nick taught several air turn drills down a line to help skaters move jumps across the… Continue reading
Figure Skating Jumps: On-Ice Air Turns – Part 1 (Nick Perna)
In the figure skating video below, Nick Perna teaches a class about “on-ice air turns.”  This is the first of a three part series. (Recommended: See Nick’s presentation of off-ice air turns.  This was part of a 7… Continue reading
Loop Jump Drill – Ace of Spades Drill (Nick Perna)
In the video below, figure skating coach Nick Perna demonstrates and explains a drill to improve the backward outside edge essential for proper loop jump technique.  He calls the drill the Ace of Spades drill as he draws a… Continue reading
The Flip Jump – Part 4 (Nick Perna)
In the figure skating video below, Nick Perna finishes his discussion of the flip jump.  This is the fourth part of a four-part series.  In the first video, Nick introduced the flip jump and discussed the active edge… Continue reading
The Flip Jump – Part 3 (Nick Perna)
Nick Perna continues his discussion of the flip jump.  This is the third part of a multi-part video series.  In the first video, Nick introduced the flip jump and discussed the active edge as well as edge change… Continue reading
The Flip Jump – Part 2 (Nick Perna)
Nick Perna continues his discussion of the flip jump.  This is the second part of a multi-part video series.  In the first video, Nick introduced the flip jump and discussed the active edge as well as edge change… Continue reading
The Flip Jump – Part 1 (Nick Perna)
Nick Perna discusses the flip jump.  This is the first part of a multi-part video series on the flip jump by Nick.  The flip is probably the most overlooked of the 6 primary jumps in figure skating, largely… Continue reading
How to Ice Skate – Backward Crossovers (Nick Perna)
Nick Perna shares his thoughts and insights about learning and teaching backward crossovers (also called crosscuts).  This is a follow-up to his earlier video on forward crossovers.  Much like the earlier video, this is an in-depth video… Continue reading
Creating Figure Skating Footwork Using FERTS Game – Part 2 (Nick Perna)
Nick Perna continues his discussion of the figure skating dice game he invented called FERTS for working on figure skating turns and steps and developing a clearer understanding of the definitions of the major turns in skating.  As discussed… Continue reading
Creating Figure Skating Footwork Using FERTS Game – Part 1 (Nick Perna)
Figure skating coach Nick Perna discusses a dice game he invented called FERTS for working on figure skating turns and steps and developing a clearer understanding of the definitions of the major turns in skating.  The FERTS game is… Continue reading
Unrecognized Figure Skating Turns – Orphan Turns Part 2 (Nick Perna)
Figure skating coach Nick Perna continues his discussion of a set of unnamed and unrecognized turns that he calls orphan turns because they don’t below to any family and they have no formal name.  In the previous video, Nick… Continue reading
Unrecognized Figure Skating Turns – Orphan Turns Part 1 (Nick Perna)
Nick Perna begins a discussion of what he calls “orphan turns” in figure skating.  He calls them orphan turns because these “forgotten” turns don’t belong to any family and they have no formal names.  These turns are generally… Continue reading
Advanced Figure Skating Stops and Skids – Part 2 (Nick Perna)
In the video below, Nick Perna continues his discussion of figure skating stops and skids and covers a whole range of advanced stops and skids.  He demonstrates a back two foot stop and again recommends that all skaters learn… Continue reading
Figure Skating Stops and Skids – Part 1 (Nick Perna)
In the video below, Nick Perna begins a discussion of stops and skids.  Nick starts by noting the importance of learning a variety of stops and skids.  But he also acknowledges that beyond the very basic stops taught… Continue reading
Teaching Beginning Ice Skating – Forward Crossovers (Nick Perna)
Nick Perna shares his thoughts and insights on crossovers (also called crosscuts).  This is an in-depth video covering details which are generally glossed over by many coaches.  As Nick says, “To me, forward crossovers and back crossovers,… Continue reading
Learn Better Figure Skating Edges – Passive Edges and Active Edges (Nick Perna)
Nick Perna discusses the theoretical and practical aspects of passive edges and active edges.  He initially defines what each is and offers a demonstration of each type.  As Nick notes, a passive edge “is just coasting on… Continue reading
Skating Edge Power Tip: The Blurb Drill (Nick Perna)
Nick Perna gets back to first principles and provides more detail about what he calls the “blurb.”  Nick uses the term “blurb” in many of his videos here at iCoachSkating.com.  (He also calls it the “dip.”) … Continue reading
Figure Skating Edge Tips: Mr. Bill Drill (Nick Perna)
Nick Perna continues a series of videos covering drills and exercises he uses to help his skaters develop power, agility, coordination, and edge control and awareness.  In the first three videos in this series, Nick taught the … Continue reading
Figure Skating Edge Tips – The Propeller Drill (Nick Perna)
Nick Perna continues a series of videos covering drills and exercises he uses to help his skaters develop power, agility, coordination, and edge control and awareness. In the first three videos in this series, Nick taught the Bread Drill, the… Continue reading
Ice Skating Edge Training: The Crab Walk Drill – Outside (Nick Perna)
Nick Perna continues a series of videos covering drills and exercises he uses to help his skaters develop power, agility, coordination, and edge control and awareness.  In the first three videos in this series, Nick taught the Bread Drill,… Continue reading
Ice Skating Edge Training: The Crab Walk Drill – Inside (Nick Perna)
Nick Perna continues a series of videos covering drills and exercises he uses to help his skaters develop power, agility, coordination, and edge control and awareness.  In the first two videos in this series, Nick taught the Bread Drill… Continue reading
Ice Skating Edge Training: The Banana Drill (Nick Perna)
Nick Perna continues a series of videos covering drills and exercises he uses to help his skaters develop power, agility, coordination, and edge control and awareness.  In the first video in this series, Nick taught the Bread Drill. … Continue reading
Ice Skating Edge Training: The Bread Drill (Nick Perna)
Nick Perna begins a series of videos covering drills and exercises he uses to help his skaters develop power, agility, coordination, and edge control and awareness.  In this video, Nick explains and demonstrates the Bread Drill.  The Bread… Continue reading
Figure Skating Blades: Crazy Skates (Nick Perna)
This YouTube video shows Nick Perna skating on figure skates with the skate blades modified.  This video proves that we primarily use the center part of the blade for the vast majority of skating on the ice.  To… Continue reading
Axel Jump Tips: How To Fix A Swingy Axel – Part 3 (Nick Perna)
Nick Perna finishes his lesson with Annalise to improve her axel, particularly the jump’s distance.  Part 1 focused on control of the step position and the hip and leg movement, all on a straight line, and Part 2 focused… Continue reading
Axel Jump Tips: How To Fix A Swingy Axel – Part 2 (Nick Perna)
Nick Perna continues his lesson with Annalise to improve her axel, particularly the jump’s distance.  Part 1 focused on control of the step position and the hip and leg movement, all on a straight line. In this video, Nick… Continue reading
Axel Jump Tips: How To Fix A Swingy Axel – Part 1 (Nick Perna)
Nick Perna gives a lesson to help a skater (Annalise) straighten out a “swingy” axel.  This is the first part of a three part series.  Axels that tend to “go around” rather than going through tend to spin… Continue reading
Lutz In Ice Skating: Correcting A Flutz – Part 4 (Nick Perna)
Nick Perna finishes his lutz lesson with Emily.  In Part 1 of the lutz lesson, Nick did some preliminary analysis of Emily’s other jumps and her backspin and then started to address the flutz with backward power pulls. … Continue reading
Lutz In Ice Skating: Correcting A Flutz – Part 3 (Nick Perna)
Nick Perna continues with Part 3 of his lutz lesson with Emily.  In Part 1 of the lutz lesson, Nick did some preliminary analysis of Emily’s other jumps and her backspin and then started to address the flutz with… Continue reading
Lutz In Ice Skating: Correcting A Flutz – Part 2 (Nick Perna)
Nick Perna continues his lutz lesson with Emily to fix her take-off edge.  This video is the second of a multipart series covering the entire half hour lesson.  In the first part of the lutz lesson, Nick did… Continue reading
Lutz In Ice Skating: Correcting A Flutz – Part 1 (Nick Perna)
Nick Perna fixes an incorrect lutz take-off edge or flutz.  This video is the first of a multipart series covering the entire half hour lesson.  We get to sit in on a practical lutz lesson as Nick works… Continue reading
Figure Skating Jumps: Axel Class – Part 5 (Audrey Weisiger & Nick Perna)
This is the final part of the on-ice axel class taught by Nick Perna and Audrey Weisiger at the 2010 G2C Extreme Supercamp.
Figure Skating Jumps: Axel Class – Part 4 (Audrey Weisiger & Nick Perna)
Nick Perna and Audrey Weisiger continue their on-ice axel class at the 2010 G2C Extreme Supercamp. In the first part of the class, they covered the proper setup and in the second part they covered the step forward.
Figure Skating Jumps: Axel Class – Part 3 (Audrey Weisiger & Nick Perna)
Nick Perna and Audrey Weisiger continue their on-ice axel class at the 2010 G2C Extreme Supercamp.  In the first part of the class, they covered the proper setup and in the second part they… Continue reading
Figure Skating Jumps: Axel Class – Part 2 (Audrey Weisiger & Nick Perna)
Nick Perna and Audrey Weisiger continue their on-ice axel class at the 2010 G2C Extreme Supercamp. In the first part of the class, Nick Perna covered the proper setup.
Figure Skating Jumps: Axel Class – Part 1 (Audrey Weisiger & Nick Perna)
Nick Perna and Audrey Weisiger teach an on-ice axel class at the 2010 G2C Extreme Supercamp. In this first part, Nick explains the desired setup for axel.
Axel Jump Lesson Part 6 – Axel From Back Crossovers (Nick Perna)
Nick Perna finishes his axel lesson with Kayla. This is part 6 of this half-hour lesson.
Axel Jump Lesson Part 5 – Axel on Pole Harness (Nick Perna)
Nick Perna continues his axel lesson with Kayla.
Axel Jump Lesson Part 4 – Waltz Jump Back Spin (Nick Perna)
Nick Perna continues his axel lesson with Kayla. This is part 4 of this half-hour lesson. In the first part Nick focused on Kayla's backspin.
Axel Jump Lesson Part 3 – Entry Continued (Nick Perna)
Nick Perna continues his axel lesson with Kayla. This is part 3 of this half-hour lesson. In the first part Nick focused on Kayla's backspin.
Axel Jump Lesson Part 2 – Four Step Backwards Entry (Nick Perna)
Nick Perna continues his axel lesson with Kayla.
Axel Jump Lesson Part 1 – Back Spin And Landing (Nick Perna)
Nick Perna gives an axel lesson to Kayla. Kayla is a low level skater currently learning an axel. This video is the first in a series of videos covering the entire half-hour lesson.
Off Ice Figure Skating Jumps – Axel Training – Part 7 (Nick Perna)
This is the final installment of Nick Perna's off-ice jump class.
Off Ice Figure Skating Jumps – Part 6 (Nick Perna)
Nick Perna continues his off-ice jump class.
Off Ice Figure Skating Jumps – Part 5 (Nick Perna)
Nick Perna continues his off-ice jump class.
Off Ice Figure Skating Jumps – Part 4 (Nick Perna)
Nick Perna continues his off-ice jump class.
Off Ice Figure Skating Jumps – Part 3 (Nick Perna)
Nick Perna continues his off-ice jump class.
Off Ice Figure Skating Jumps – Part 2 (Nick Perna)
Nick Perna continues his off-ice jump class.
Off Ice Figure Skating Jumps – Part 1 (Nick Perna)
Nick Perna teaches an off-ice jump class. This is the first part of a multi-part video series. Most top skaters implement an off-ice jumping routine in their training.
Figure Skating Tips for Advanced Skater Part 5 – Pole Harness Triple Loop (Nick Perna)
Nick Perna finishes his lesson with Isabelle.
Figure Skating Tips for Advanced Skater Part 4 – Triple Loop (Nick Perna)
Nick Perna continues his lesson with Isabelle.
Figure Skating Tips for Advanced Skater Part 3 – Double Axel (Nick Perna)
Nick Perna continues his lesson with Isabelle.
Figure Skating Tips for Advanced Skater Part 2 – General Jump Overview (Nick Perna)
Nick Perna continues his lesson with Isabelle.
Figure Skating Tips for Advanced Skater Part 1 – Back Spin & Landing Position (Nick Perna)
Nick Perna gives a lesson to Isabelle.
Learn Figure Skating – 4 Basic Edge Positions (Nick Perna)
In this video, Nick Perna discusses his system of teaching basic edge positions, and how he's distilled them down to four basic positions.
Figure Skating Lesson: Power From Standstill C Cuts (Nick Perna)
Nick Perna continues his explanation of slaloms and shares a drill to help skaters develop the proper weight transfer, balance, and power.
Figure Skating Spins: Finding The Sweet Spot (Nick Perna)
In this video of a lower level spin class, Nick Perna discusses the “sweet spot” or the “slippery spot” for spinning.
Figure Skating Spins: Intermediate Spins (Sheila Thelen and Nick Perna)
Sheila Thelen and Nick Perna lead a spin class for less advanced skaters.
Figure Skating Spins: Advanced Spins (Nick Perna and Sheila Thelen)
Nick Perna and Sheila Thelen conduct a spin class for advanced skaters. This is a long video and it's filled with many tidbits of helpful information.
Figure Skating Education: Backward Edge Power (Nick Perna)
Nick Perna follows up his forward slalom drills to generate edge power with the backward versions of these drills.
Figure Skating Education: Edge Power (Nick Perna)
Nick Perna shares some important drills to help skaters develop power from their forward edges.
How To Figure Skate: Learn a Lutz Jump (Nick Perna)
Nick Perna shows how he introduces a skater to the lutz jump. This is a follow-up video to Nick's presentation of the loop jump and the flip jump.
How To Figure Skate: Learn a Flip Jump (Nick Perna)
Nick Perna shows how he introduces a skater to the flip jump. This is a follow-up video to Nick's presentation of the loop jump for beginners.
How To Figure Skate: Learn a Loop Jump (Nick Perna)
Nick Perna shows how he teaches skaters the loop jump. I think you'll agree that Nick's method is ingenious and clever.
Figure Skating Jumps – Take Off Direction (Nick Perna)
Nick Perna discusses take-off direction. He explains that all jumps take off with the skater turning to forward before leaving the ice.
Figure Skating Jumps – Lutz Jump Setups (Nick Perna)
Nick Perna continues his discussion of the lutz jump. In this video he discusses entry options and what to look for when using one of the various setups
Figure Skating Jumps – The Lutz: Fixing a Flutz (Nick Perna)
Nick Perna continues his development of the lutz jump and talks at length about how to correct a flutz problem. You've got to see this video to understand Nick's views on the "reach back" that gets so much attention.
Figure Skating Jumps – Introduction to the Lutz (Nick Perna)
Nick Perna explains how he teaches a lutz jump to avoid the dreaded flutz problem. As you'll see in the video, Nick is very passionate about the lutz coming off a back outside edge.
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