Coaches’ Corner

GR8 SK8 TIPS O

Teaching the Axel

Coach One: Young skaters are usually very enthusiastic about learning how to do an Axel; however, due to its unique forward take off it is often difficult to master. Terefore, it is important that they first learn some basic off and on-ice techniques, which will help skaters learn correct body position during and after the Axel. After an appropriate warm up that

includes stretching, the skater should do some quick jumps straight up and down. Next, he or she should jump up vertically and rotate 360 degrees bringing their arms in tightly to the right side of their body or the axis side. Next, he or she should exit hopping backwards on the landing leg, which should follow the same arc as the entry. Tere are also several on-ice exercises the skater should do such as a back scratch, waltz jump to a back scratch, and inside Axel. Tere are four main stages of an Axel

jump: Entry, takeoff, position in air and landing position. To begin, the skater should spring off the ice on a forward outside edge. It is important that the arms

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ne of ISI’s goals is to draw our community of coaches together to network and share advice for

the betterment of the ice skating industry. Below, you’ll find tips from several ISI coaches on teaching specific skating moves and techniques. A sincere thank you to the coaches who participated. Interested in sharing your GR8 SK8 tips

with readers, or have a topic you would like addressed? Please send to editor@ skateisi.org.

and free leg swing forward in unison up to their maximum height before rotating around the landing foot. Te hands should be together in a nice open position before exiting on a back outside edge. Te exit glide should match the entry glide. Te most common error is pre- rotation. Tis is when the skater turns too early and pulls in too quickly. It is best to try to jump up and out while attempting the Axel jump.

Coach Two: I first introduce the skill, describing the takeoff, air position and landing. Ten I have the skater practice the takeoff action by first standing along the wall and rising thru the knee, ankle and toe as the free leg comes thru. We also discuss exploding thru the rocker at this point. Once they have a good understanding of the takeoff action along the wall, we practice the snapping action along the wall as well. From there, I have the skater try a bell jump, to teach the skater to explode straight thru the takeoff before rotating. After this, we usually do a number of practice exercises meant to mimic the Axel ( for example, waltz jump- loop jump, backspin check out, backspin jump out, stand still waltz jump-loop jump-backspin and check). I will also put the skater on a hockey circle, with their hips, head, and shoulders turned in and feet crossed mimicking the feel of the air position. I will have the skater hold for five seconds and then check out. After all of this, I will have the skater try the Axel, paying attention to the takeoff action and staying in a backspin. Once a skater has landed an Axel, I

try to get them to add a toe loop or loop as soon as possible to help develop confidence in their ability to do the Axel.

Coach Tree: Have a strong foundation on the waltz jump, loop jump, and back scratch spin Begin by walking through the motion of

the Axel. Add small jump to back scratch spin then check out of spin. Help the skater feel axis of rotation with these movements before trying to attempt the jump.

Teaching the Mohawk

Coach One: I have learned the following from teaching the mohawk:

• Skaters need to know that it is performed on an edge. I usually

ISI skater attempting an Axel

introduce skaters to their eight edges at this time, if they have not learned this already (which they should have).

• I also find it helpful to ensure that the skaters can do two-foot turns on a circle.

• I find that having skaters stand along the wall, practicing a plié, helps with knee bend and the turn out of the feet for this skill.

• I also like to draw a circle around a cone and have the skater skate around the cone on the forward inside edge of one foot. I then have the skater turn their free toe out and place the free foot on the ice. Te skater now has two feet on the ice and is skating in a position similar to that of an inside spread eagle. From there, I have the skater pick up the foot that they began the drill on, thus completing a very rough mohawk. Tis drill is good for demonstrating to skaters that mohawks are performed on edges.

Coach Two: Learn the balance of entry and the exit of the mohawk before trying the turn. Help the skater understand how to

rotate, turn, and check a two-foot turn before trying it. From the entry: Back up straight, extend free foot, then place free foot at instep of skating foot in a T-position. Begin turning hips to then step on other foot. Extend free foot with back up straight.

ISI EDGE SUMMER 2016