International coach and jump specialist Nick Perna continues discussing his “rocker cross stroke” method of getting quickly into rotation on the weight transfer jumps, axel, salchow, and toe loop. In the previous video he introduced the concept using the axel, showing how the skater can walk-through the jump by simulating a rocker and a cross step to prevent jumping/turning into the circle during or immediately after take-off. Please watch that video to understand the general concept.
In this video Nick explains and demonstrates how this same exercise is modified for salchows and toe loops. For salchow he modifies the exercise by entering from a back inside edge before performing a three turn on the “pinky toe” to get to the forward take-off position of the jump. The outside edge exit of the three turn is the forward outside rocker entrance of the rocker cross stroke, but rather than gliding on the three-turn-exit/rocker-entrance edge, the skater balances (briefly) on the toe pick for that portion of the exercise.
Nick then demonstrates the exercise for a toe loop entry. It’s exactly the same as salchow except the back inside edge entry to the three turn is just the blade placement onto the ice as part of the picking motion. Nick describes putting the toe pick into the ice on the “big toe” (inside edge side of toe pick) before pivoting to the “pinky toe” for the “three-turn-exit/rocker-entry” and the “pinky toe” again for the rocker exit. Nick explains and demonstrates how these walk-throughs should continue essentially in a straight line down the ice (demonstrating along the hockey line). A common error is stepping down sideways and not being able to balance properly before the cross stroke.
When this exercise is done correctly on an actual jump that vaults properly, Nick notes that the skater can get to the rotational position extremely quickly. Thus it improves jump direction, jump power, and time to reach optimal rotational position.
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