How can I over come my fear of landing my waltz jump in figure skating?

Question

Everytime i try to land my waltz jump i become scared of landing on one-foot on the ice. How can i over come this fear?

Thanks!!

Answer 1

Practice landing at home, off the ice this will make it much less scary when you go to do it on the ice. Also, don't be afraid the worst thing that happens is you fall, then you get up and keep trying. Don't give up! Everyone has some fear when starting figure skating! Good Luck!

Answer 2

Just do it. Thats all I have to say, if you practice it alot you will realize it really isn't scary and you will be fine.

Answer 3

just go for it.

and always pay attention.

i actually got my first concussion on a waltz jump by not paying attention.

so focus, and jump.

Answer 4

dont worry, a lot of people feel nervous when they start to jump :) for me, it was salchows that scared me, now theyre my fave and best jump!

practice two foot jumps from forwards to backwards, you dont have to do them with a lot of speed at first, but once u get more confidence you can increase it..

also practice holding the landing position. enter from backwards crossovers, focus on holding that back outside edge, with arms checked like they would be on landing.

walkthroughs, off and on ice, help a lot.

off ice practice from a standstill, just make sure to have enough space :P focus on bending your knees on take off and landing, and getting your arms and freeleg through, make sure your knee comes up.

on ice try walking through the jump slowly. replace the actual jumping bit with a forwards outside 3 turn then push into the landing. this can help you get used to coordination your arms and free leg. you can practice either from pushing onto the forwards outside edge from a standstill, or backwards crossovers, whichever you feel more comfortable doing..

good luck :) i know its freaky trying new jumps, but as long as you dont let fear hold you back then its ok.

i hope you have fun!

EDITED:

oh also doing little 'hops' on the leg u land on can help...

off ice stand on your right leg, knee bent, with your left leg in front of you off the ground *assuming youre a counterclockwise jumper...* and your arms tucked in to your chest.

then spring off your right leg.

on landing shoot your left leg back and arms out checked, like you would on landing. bend your knee too.

you can try this on ice too when practicing holding that landing edge, just be very careful, do it with your coach there.

its always best to ask your coach if you have any concerns or questions.

Answer 5

Just go for it! The chance of you falling is pretty low, and if you back out you'll never learn it. Try to think how you learn those other jumps, or consider how much fear gymnasts need to overcome. You have to fall eventually. It doesn't hurt that much.

Landing Help: Ok I found this helpful. Start skating backwards in the directional curve you would land, and push onto the leg and maintain the landing position. Now after that is good, do a small hop and land like that. It's best to make sure you have that down, because when you jump you should not have all your focus on the landing, but with the jump as a whole.

Good luck!!!

// Anna has good advice, make sure you read her answer.

Answer 6

do it off ice and then do it on ice.  don't be afraid of landing on one foot.  practice and try your best!

Answer 7

Just Keep Practicing. I would recommend doing it off-ice. Remebering to land on one foot. You are less likely to fall off-ice. Then if you are afraid to do it on ice still then get some pads. So you will be less afraid of falling. Then you will be more likely to land on one foot. Don't think about falling imagine you are going to land it perfectly. You just have to overcome that fear. And once you do it a few times you will have no trouble at all being able to land it on one foot all the time.

Good Luck. And I Hope This Helps.

Answer 8

Keep practicing. As you move up in levels, you will do this more and more, so getting it down now is important. I am working on my flip right now, and before, i was nervous about landing it on one foot and falling. But the first time i landed without putting my foot down, i didn't fall. Don't worry about it very much.

Answer 9

You just have to keep practicing and do it. You'll experience this as you move up to higher jumps too. And don't be afraid! If you fall, then you fall. Everybody falls in figure skating. It's normal =] hope i helped!

Answer 10

omg. its a waltz jump! if you cant overcome this, how are you going to get the rest of your single jumps, double jumps, maybe  even triples! just JUMP! its 1/2 of a revolution. why be scared of landing on one foot? thats the best that can happen! if you dont land on one foot you are going to fall. skating is all about taking risks. this is just a little risk. when you learn something you have to experiment with it.

if its not working out try something different with it.

even if it makes it worse you have to try.

Answer 11

Just do walk throughs off the ice. In an open area in your home, try doing a walk through, and then later on try to do the jump. Do the correct arm positions as well. Arms facing forward, then slowly draw them back as you bend your left knee and lift your right leg to behind you (i'm assuming you're a righty). The arm positions will give you power. When you land, pull your shoulders back and keep your chin up. When you land, bend your landing leg and keep the free leg stretched behind you and your arms/shoulders checked. Once you are used to all this off the ice, this will translate on the ice as well.

Doing a lot of walk throughs help me get over my fear of learning new jumps.  (actually I was more freaked about the bunny hop than the waltz jump, the idea of landing on the toe pick didn't sit too well with me).

When you think you are ready for the ice, do another walk through, as in don't jump yet. Just go through the motions with your skates on on the ice. Then bit by bit, lift your leg a little more each time. Finally try to jump. Don't worry if you only get an inch or so above the ice, the jump will get bigger as you go into it faster and with more confidence in the future.