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:
Axel Prints Part 1
Axel Prints Part 2
Salchow Prints Part 1
Salchow Prints Part 2
Landing Prints
Toe Loop Prints
Loop Jump Prints
Flip Prints
As with the other major jumps (except axel), Nick teaches the lutz on a straight line, consisting of a flat followed by a blurb and then a strong cut (active edge) and pick, as well as a toe flick (tail). Using a straight line entrance, the resulting print has a slight “question mark shape.” Nick explains that without the blurb, the skater cannot get a proper active edge for the lutz.
Nick mentions some of his previously published videos on iCoachSkating which you should definitely watch if this topic is important to you. These videos cover the basics of the lutz jump (including fixing/avoiding a flutz, the “cut,” a “standstill cut drill” and the “toe flick”), a formal definition of the blurb, and the Bread Drill as a way to learn the blurb and cut. For reference, Nick defines a blurb as “bringing ourselves from a state of balance to a state of unbalance to create the cut.”
One of the key details in this discussion that Nick mentions in passing is the forward lean during the blurb. The “reach” of the picking foot typically happens before or during the blurb so the legs can scissor back together during the cut and pick. This blurb and forward body lean is the “unbalancing” that is required to perform a powerful cut.
Many (most?) coaches teach the lutz from a shallow back outside edge. But as Nick notes, even with that entrance, the skater must still perform a blurb to create an effective cut. Nick prefers the straight line entrance because it simplifies the movements, it helps the skater be more aware of the critical movements, and it helps the skater be more aware of their own body and where they are in space during the entire jump.
In terms of pick placement, the toe pick mark is very close to the end of the take-off edge, typically less than a blade length and often only a few inches. (Compare this to the flip, where the pick mark is between one and two blade lengths away from the take-off edge.) Nick acknowledges that skaters can sometimes remain on an outside edge even with a very wide pick placement, but it makes it much harder to collect quickly into a quality air position as well as generate the necessary power from the outside edge for doubles and triples (and quads).
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