Nick Perna finishes his axel lesson with Kayla. This is part 6 of this half-hour lesson.
Part 1 – Backspin
Part 2 – Back entry method
Part 3 – Adding arms to back entry method and forward step
Part 4 – Waltz jump backspin drill
Part 5 – Axel on and off pole harness
In the previous video had Kayla attempt an axel from standstill both on and off the pole harness. Judging by the falls, Nick suggested using the moving entrance to help Kayla land the jump.
In this video, Nick has Kayla on the pole using his back entry method covered in Parts 2 and 3 in this series. They begin with a simple waltz jump on the pole. Notice that Nick wants Kayla’s free shoulder pulled back strongly on the step and jump take-off.
As is very typical with most skaters, Kayla reverts immediately to her old entrance when she prepares to enter the first axel. Nick makes her stop and do the entrance he taught her to minimize uncontrolled rotation and create a better axis for the jump. After Kayla lands one on the pole, Nick asks if she can do the same thing off the pole. Kayla’s facial expression is priceless and I’m sure every coach has seen this face over and over. At least she agrees to “try.”
She goes for it and falls but as Nick notes, this is the very first time she’s tried the jump from back cross-overs. It shows “desire” which we can cultivate in our skaters but cannot directly teach.
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Thomas Amon Very inspirational lesson from Nick. Great! Technique solid for a 1A. I love the difference that he pointed out that we can help our athletes cultivate desire, but you really cannot teach or "give" them desire. That is so vital!
Jan I would love to see the drills Nick mentions for getting into a d faster. I think a lot of adult skaters struggle with generating rotation. I know many adult skaters that can do huge singles but can't land an axel or doubles because they can't rotate. I wonder if drills like this would help.
AleathaShanley Hi Nick excellent lesson , could you do more of these. They really help. Al though I am an adult skater, this is exactly what was happening on my axel. Truly grateful for these video, thanks again