Trevor Laak provides a follow-up analysis video to a double lutz video published previously discussing details related to jump timing and rhythm, the active take-off edge, toe pick placement, arm and shoulder timing, and more. This video shows the skater’s progress to a clean double lutz with reasonable flow, and discusses the entry used, the change in mechanics, and a number of helpful drills for this kind of development.
Trevor begins by showing the double lutz after about 3 calendar months of development since the previous video. He notes that the pull-pull-pull entry of the original jump has now been replaced by a back-inside-edge-rip-to-outside-edge take-off. This skater does a wide step from the axis foot to the non-axis foot to set the back inside edge, but Trevor explains that he does not use this method of getting to the inside edge with many skaters as most skaters struggle with reach direction and placement when using this technique. There are other ways to set the back inside edge, which he does not discuss here.
The skater has reduced loading of the non-axis leg (creating more quickness) and also reduced the picking distance between the feet, both front to back and side to side (which was discussed in the previous video). The timing has improved and the pick enters the ice only after the skater has started to rise up and jump from the non-axis skate on the outside edge, making this a true “toe assisted jump.”
Next, Trevor shows a back inside edge drill he uses to make sure skaters are stable and comfortable on the entry edge (assuming the use of a back inside edge entry). He shows what can go wrong with this drill, and how it should be done correctly. Then he shows what he calls a “drag drill” which is a walk-through with an exaggerated outside edge rip with a toe pick drag while also setting the toe pick in as close as possible to the non-axis foot. The goal is to get the feet as close together as possible and create a continuous edge (or part of a circle). He shows versions of the drill which are not as good as they don’t maintain the circular shape of the take-off edge through the toe flick. He says, “The purpose of the drag drill is to work on timing and to work on getting the feet close together and to work on really feeling the outside edge.” He explains the added benefits of the drag drill, including mastering arm and shoulder timing and creating power angle for a true “pole vault” take-off.
The final drill Trevor shares is a one-and-a-half lutz and he uses this concept on most of the doubles if a skater is comfortable with it. He notes that some skaters are terrified to land forward on two feet, but it’s worth mastering. This drill is very useful for helping skaters to focus only on take-off mechanics without risk of falling or having to be concerned with the details of air position or landing that would be required on the double itself. This helps skaters relax and create smooth powerful take-off timing. Trevor notes that some coaches are hesitant to use one-and-a-half jumps during double jump development as they argue it can cause skaters to pop. Trevor does not agree with this at all, arguing that we don’t stop having skaters practice double jump when working on the triple. Some skaters pop triples into doubles, so by a certain rationale it seems to make sense never to try double jumps again. This is obviously ridiculous, and Trevor argues skaters can learn to do one-and-a-half jumps without learning any bad habits for the doubles.
Previous lutz analysis video is here.
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