International coach and jump specialist Jeremy Allen shares many insights and teaching tips for the toe loop jump. He begins by acknowledging that the toe loop is one of the hardest jumps to teach properly today, as there are wide variations in technique, teaching methods, and opinions about the jump. He then has his demonstrator show an “inside 3 half toe loop” exercise which is a repeating exercise for working just the toe loop take-off. Jeremy likes this exercise since it helps skaters get both legs to straighten at take-off, as well as getting the non-picking foot to flex and come off the heel at take-off. It also helps many skaters move forward through the take-off rather than focus on rotation at this stage. And if you watch the demonstration carefully, you’ll also notice the clear upward “jumping” movement prior to the toe pick entering the ice, thereby teaching a “light” take-off for the jump.
The next exercise is a series of shifts while gliding backwards into a single toe loop. This simulates the shift and reach of a “toe walley” or toe loop from a “drop” three turn (forward outside three turn, step down and reach). This exercise is done down or across the ice in a straight line. The weight shifts with natural arm swing also help get the arms into the correct position for the jump as well as get the upper body over the axis foot (non-picking foot). By doing this on a line, the push back reduces the chances of pulling the picking leg too far around and off the line. Jeremy then shows how this exercise can also be used for salchow take-off (notice how similar the two jumps look!).
Next Jeremy addresses the question of whether a good toe loop can or should have an h-position at take-off. He explains that it depends largely on individual skater preference. However, the correct take-off motion has the non-picking leg straight or nearly straight at the moment it leaves the ice (from the heel). After that moment the skater can choose to turn the jump over without further bending that leg (keep it straight), or the skater can climb up into the jump with an h-position.
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