I can't get my axel right anymore!?

Question

I am 13 and I used to be able to almost do an axel. Somehow, I lost that ability and now I'm doing a really big waltz jump. Can anyone help by giving me on-ice and off-ice tips?

Answer 1

Well first of all, sadly you're starting puberty. You're going to have unstable figures for the next 5 years. That's why so many kids that could do Double Axels at age 8 like they were candycanes can't even do single Axels at age 15 anymore.

You could also be jumping too low both on the ice and on the floor and not kicking your free leg high enough into the air. Lock your arms into the air too! You could also practise off-ice with the pure jumping/free leg kicking part of the Axel, but with no rotation. Just focusing on the kick and the arm thrust. If you do this well enough, your body automatically enters rotation without you even aiming for it.

Answer 2

Practice them off the ice alot and get comfortable with the motion of it. Make sure you have a big kick through like you're trying to kick a large ball or something. After you get into the air make sure you're twisting to the left with enough force to get you around and stay nice and tight until you land. I was doing axels when I was 13, it just takes practice. Also, when I first started learning them my coach had me doing them on the ice starting in a stationary position... from there I would attemt the jump and just try and get as much of a rotation as I could and land on 2 feet. Once I had the full rotation she had me skate into them. Just keep practicing. You'll get it!

Answer 3

Think about doing a waltz jump back scratch spin in the air.  Also, try changing your entry.  Try a tap-toe axel, doing it from stand still, and try doing it from backward crossovers.

Answer 4

It sounds like you're not getting the snap in your jump.  After your take off, snap into a backspin position, changing your weight over.  

Practice backspins.  Try going into a backspin, hold the open position and pull in/jump at the same time to get the feeling of the backspin position.

Also, try adding a loop to the end of your waltz jump for another exercise.

Off-ice, find a sturdy chair or bench or step.  Practice stepping straight up onto the chair/bench/step to immitate the follow through of your take off.  Once at the top of your follow through, practice pushing that take off foot straight down and pulling into the backspin.

I also do axles off-ice with ankle weights on.

Good luck!