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 as well as some important preparation drills. In this video, the skater tries one double axel on the pole harness and Nick focuses on important technical issues.
Using video, this skater has an air time of roughly 0.44 seconds on single axel. Nick wants 0.5 seconds of air time, but many skaters land double axels with as little as 0.45 seconds of air time (with very efficient technique). Nick also acknowledges that many skaters simply jump higher on double axel attempts than on single axels, so coaches need to take that into account when determining if a skater is really ready for the double.
In the only double attempt on the pole harness, the skater has enough air time (partly because Nick is lifting a little) but the take-off is very open and the air position is “very messy.” After this, it is clear to Nick this skater is not really ready for double attempts so the focus switches to “lots of walkthroughs of this jump.”
On the walkthroughs, Nick explains the need to keep the free side back on the entry and the hands up and in front of the face (a repeatable and specific location) on the take off. At take off, he wants the free hip up and explains it as the free “hip has got to be climbing.” He then discusses the weight transfer to the air position, noting the need to lock the axis leg and allow the non-axis leg to remain slightly bent. A common error for skaters working on double axel (and triple jumps) is arching the back. Instead, Nick wants the position to “stay forward” and “be concave” where the chest is closed, the shoulders are rounded, and the back is flat or even very slightly hunched. He says, “You’ve got to feel like someone’s punching you in the stomach.”
In another walkthrough, the skater is clearly wobbly during the backspin or air position part, again making Nick nervous about attempting any more doubles. Instead, he works further on the walkthrough, helping the skater feel the correct positions. The drill where Nick pushes the skater into the backspin is helpful for many skaters. He finishes the lesson recommending more drills and walkthroughs.
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