International coach and jump specialist Chris Conte shares insights about double axel development with a seminar class. He begins the class by having them do a single axel and then a walkthrough of a double axel. Next he has them do one backward swizzle, set on the back outside edge, step forward into single axel, followed by a pirouette (i.e. backspin, twizzle). Finally, he has them attempt double axel. While the skaters are attempting the doubles, Chris takes video and then proceeds to discuss some of the attempts.
For the first jump he analyzes, he notes that a jump doesn’t need to be perfectly performed for a skater to land it. He notes, “The key is she’s behind her foot” on the step and initial climb. But he explains that the skater did not get enough height or get into a clean rotational position fast enough. He recommends, “If you want more power, push your foot out in front of you more (on the step forward), or if you’re a person who lunges a little, the hips need to get under a little more. The vast majority of your body mass is behind your blade before it starts to rock up.” He continues, “If you’re right over the top of it, you better be just really strong and quick. Is it doable like that? Yes.”
Next Chris discusses the common technique of stepping and holding the non-axis arm in front on the take-off edge. The reason for using this method is to use the arm as a a target, and for it to be effective the target cannot move. Chris says, “A target is a stationary thing.” To use this method well, the skater should keep it in front and pointed at the target and then “push in towards it and push up into it.” He also shows how the take-off foot pushes out underneath the arm when using this technique. He demonstrates the potential problem with moving the “target arm” which is usually an axis failure as well as loss of power during the final phase of the jump. He explains it as “trading (too much) height for too little extra rotation.” It’s almost always a bad trade for double axel.
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