International coach and jump specialist Nick Perna continues an important discussion of the concept of power angle and how it relates to good jumping. Power angle as a concept is closely tied to need to “vault” properly up into each jump. A full discussion of vaulting can be found in Nick’s earlier series (Part1, Part 2, Part 3). In Part 1 of Nick’s presentation on power angle, he discussed what it is and why it’s important. In this video, Nick relates power angle and vaulting to jump entry speed and jump height and shares an exercise to help skaters learn it.
Nick begins, “Having speed into a jump is important to making a bigger jump. But you have to use speed correctly for it to help you.” He continues, “Applying the speed and applying the proper power angle combination is what you’re really after.” He explains that at higher entry speeds, the hips have to “turn over faster and get into the power angle a little bit quicker.”
Next Nick shows a very simple exercise to help skaters develop the feeling of the power angle. This is essentially a jump walkthrough where the skater leans forward with the body on the entry, feels the backward lean after pivoting to forward (the “take-off”), and returns to a forward lean for the simulated landing (which Nick demonstrates as 2-foot alignment landing). Nick notes that adult skaters in particular struggle with these kinds of body leans, but this is not necessarily easy for younger skaters to learn either. He demonstrates this exercise with the loop jump and a salchow. He says, “Once skaters can do those types of walkthroughs they’re usually ready to do a little jump or a little vault using that technique, and then they start to feel it.”
Related links:
Jump Theory: How Elite Skaters Create Lift (Chris Conte)
Toe Loop Theory – Getting Jump Height (Michelle Leigh)
Does Loop Jump Use Pole Vaulting Technique? (Trevor Laak)
Sorry, this content is for members only.Click here to get access.
Already a member? Login below… |
Add to "My Favorites" (Beta testing)
