Any advice for landing an axel?

Question

I'm 14 and I've been skating since I was 5, so 9 years, and I started to work on my axel. I can land them on the ground and on the harness, but for some reason I just can't do it on the ice! It's so frustrating! I've been working on it for about 4 months now. Any one have any exercises or advice that might help? Thanks so much!!!

Answer 1

The axel, in my opinion, the hardest to learn...took me some time to finally land one, many years ago...it's harder to learn than most double jumps...

but... I will give you a suggestion that someone gave me that helped me greatly...as I landed my first axel right afterwards...

When you practice your axel...look forward and try to focus on a stationary object in the rink...the barrier worked well for me...line up your body, hips shounders and jump towards the barrier...

I don't know why this worked for me...perhaps focusing on something gave me the extra security I needed to push a little harder for rotation...or maybe my body may have been a little off center...

and once you master the axel...the double salchow & double toe come along right afterwards...

I hope this helps...and best of luck!!!

Answer 2

It all depends on what the problem is, are you not getting enough rotation while jumping on the ice, or are you just not landing it?

If you aren't getting enough rotation, then I'd suggest practicing your axel off ice with an extra half of a rotation, that way when you try on ice you can apply the same amount of force that you do off ice to land the half double, in order to get the rotations needed to land the axel.

And, if it's the fact that when you land you always fall, i'd suggest making sure that you check your landing, land strong, don't let your knees buckle! Keep those arms out and up for balance - and don't forget about that free leg! Keep that back and strong as well, if that touches then it's not an axel! and make sure that you aren't rotating funny in the air. If you have a clean take off, and a clean rotation in the air then you'll be able to land it no time!  

Perhaps, while you are spining in the air you aren't completely straight, so when you land you'll be tiped a bit to that side, and probably fall when you land.

I need a bit more information in order to help more. If you would provide more information, that would be very helpful! :)

PS: I landed my double just this previous skating session, we only skate during the winter. :(

But, definitely keep trying! You'll get it I promise. It takes longer for some people than others.

Any exercises ... do you have an open field? Or a large area where you can run and jump?... I'd advise you to run really fast, and then all of a sudden do a waltz jump, but take off as if it were an axel - just from forwards, and try to land it. You'll have much more force and unbalance than you would if you were doing axels from a spot. This may help you with a stonger landing & position. Maybe try with weights on your legs? ... Again, I'd need more information to really know how to give you advice on what the real problem is!