Olympic Team medalist and coach Mirai Nagasu teaches an off-ice seminar jump class focusing on the loop and double loop. She starts by observing the class attempting off-ice double loops and then shows the class a video of a triple loop by Japanese skater Kaori Sakamoto. She points out how Kaori uses a rolling three turn entry and then does an h-position and “brings her arms through first.” She also notes the head alignment and anchoring. Mirai explains that skaters should watch competitions and video of top skaters in general, because the mind takes this information and can apply it. She notes this is particularly helpful for young skaters, and she tells them that the timing for a good single loop and a triple loop is reasonably consistent.
Mirai says, “Loop jump is a jump that is completely over our right (axis) side.” She then has the class stand on two feet, find their mid-line (jacket zipper), and move their bodies to the axis side so the zipper is more lined up with the axis foot. She also notes the desired position for the shoulders, free leg, and head. For the arms, Mirai wants the arms slightly bent and this transitions to a discussion of how important edges and circles are on the ice. She describes loop jumps being done on a circle, but obviously that is not a requirement (although having a strong take-off edge is). Returning to the arms, Mirai doesn’t want straight arms because “you’re not able to control your muscles as well” when they are stiff and tense.
Next Mirai has the class do rotating loop preparation positions, hopping to create the rotation while holding the rest of the body still and aligned over the axis side. In her demonstration the free leg is not in an ideal position and she then spends some time discussing it. The free foot “should be in alignment” or directly in front of the axis foot (or even crossed) and the free leg should be bent into an h-position. The axis leg should have a soft bend to allow hopping.
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