The Flip Jump – Part 3 (Nick Perna)

Nick Perna continues his discussion of the flip jump. This is the third part of a multi-part video series. In the first video, Nick introduced the flip jump and discussed the active edge as well as edge change issues. In the second flip jump video in this series, Nick discussed the three turn entrance and details about toe pick usage. The flip is probably the most overlooked of the 6 primary jumps in figure skating, largely because low level skaters tend to do them correctly off a back inside edge. However, flip jump issues and problems tend to really show up when skaters are progressing to double flips and triple flips.

Nick begins this video by talking about the classic problem where a skater doesn’t create any rotation. The jump does not come off two feet. The rotation must be initiated while on the ice and the skater leaves the ice only from the toe pick of the picking foot. Nick notes that rotation is typically created in two ways. One way has the skater turning the skating side under with a strong pivot to forward. The other way, typically used by stronger skaters, has the skater opening the free side while they are still on the ice. (This idea of two ways to do a flip jump is not well understood by a majority of coaches today.)

Nick also describes another common problem where the skater stays on the back inside edge all the way into a pivot, creating a spinny jump that has no distance or flow. This entrance is common for young skaters and many adult skaters that are not comfortable pivoting on one toe pick.

Nick also talks about the width of the picking motion from the skating foot. Nick prefers the distance to be a blade or a blade and a half in distance. He notes that it can be more but typically fall within that width. In contrast, a lutz has the feet very close together (4-8 inches).

Next, Nick offers a simple toe step rhythm exercise. He also does three turns on the line (very challenging for skaters learning a flip!). Nick says, “If they can control that rotation on the three turn, they’re going to have an easy time doing a flip jump in a nice straight line, and not a swingy one.” He also briefly discusses the half-flip and the idea that there are two possible landings for the half-flip. Nick uses them both. He also makes a point of making sure the skater is creating rotation while on the ice, even on the half-flip. This overlooked concept unfortunately holds many skaters back as they learn a half-flip “incorrectly” for easy progress with the full flip jump.