World and Olympic coach Robert Tebby continues his presentation (see Part 1 here and Part 2 here) on the toe loop as a second jump (toe loop in combination). He begins here by explaining that even if the first jump in the combination is not ideal (or even quite poor), the skater should try the second jump anyway. To help skaters better feel the transition between the first and second jump, Robert shares an “inside hop” landing exercise which has both hands and the free foot in front with proper alignment of the hips and body. From this position the skater can then simulate or perform the toe in combination as described at the wall in Part 1. He explains, “If we’re off axis (landing first jump) and we have to do some kind of manipulation, it makes the jump more difficult. It doesn’t mean you can’t do it.” He continues, “I always say, if you don’t try the jump, you guarantee failure – if you try it you give yourself an opportunity.”
Next, Robert discusses the idea that some skaters may find it easier to learn to initially do a double toe loop as a second jump rather than a solo double toe loop on it’s own. This highlights the fact that sometimes the accepted or standard progression of skills isn’t really the best for all skaters, and coaches should introduce combination jumps as early as possible. Robert discusses what he calls a “zombie waltz jump” as a way to train the single toe loop and then the double toe loop as a second jump. The zombie waltz jump lands with the free leg out to the side as shown in the original exercise at the boards.
Some skaters are very good at doing a large number of double jumps (either double toe or double loop) in a row in a single combination or jumping pass. This is not permitted in competition but Robert explains that this is an exercise that has tremendous value for jump development. It forces the skater to have good technique, especially in terms of the timing of shoulder rotation (Robert says, “getting the motion of the upper body to initiate the rotation”) and the pivot through the take-off. Robert says, “You’re not trying to generate rotation when you’re in the air, that’s too late. You have to generate the rotational momentum as part of the take-off.” The other obvious benefit for doing multiple jumps in combination is simply learning to do the jump after any other jump, and multiple repeated jumps (toe loops or loops) is a great way to ingrain correct muscle memory by repetition. It’s also really good for triple jump development.
Robert then shows an example of his “create something from nothing” exercise which in this case is simply pushing off from the boards into a toe loop. This again starts with the free leg off to the side, and progresses from toe loop walkthroughs to single toe loop to double toe loop. He says, “When you create something from nothing (no speed) it makes doing it with a little bit of momentum even easier.” Robert finishes with a discussion of control versus momentum as well as the important of balance and alignment (and control) for successful landings.
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