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Some adult figure skaters learn to jump the first time they step onto the ice, while others never do. Only you can decide if you’re willing to leave the ice. You’ve seen others who can do it, so why not you? If you’re truly afraid of jumping, here’s a simple exercise that you can try.
Whether the perimeter is referred to as a railing, the boards, wall, or a barrier, it’s where you’ll start your next move. This is the safest possible way to determine if you want to jump. And for those of you who are about to start the art of leaving the ice, here’s your first jumping exercise.
The railing jump:
Hold onto the railing; keep your feet hip distance apart, about a foot away from the wall. Bending your knees and rolling onto the toepicks, you’ll jump up. Landing back on the toepicks, you’ll roll onto the flats of your blades. This teaches you that whenever you jump you use your toepick to assist with your takeoffs and landings. This is your first, well-supported attempt and it allows you to feel what it’s like to safely leave the ice. After trying this a few times, move away from the wall and do it unassisted.
The bunny hop:
Although the bunny hop is technically classified as a jump, it’s only a very small one. It involves no revolutions and is one of the few jumps that’s done from a forward approach. Sometimes it’s used as a connecting element into a full or multi-revolution jump.
To begin the bunny hop, you’ll be skating forward on the flats of your blades. You don’t want a lot of speed at first; in fact, you may walk through it a few times to get the timing right.
The takeoff:
Every jump is divided into 3 parts: 1. The takeoff, 2. The jump or hang time, and, 3. The landing.
For the takeoff in the bunny hop, you will be on the flat of your left blade. Use your right toepick to push into the ice, technically called a toepick assist, allowing it to help you get a bit more force so you can launch into your jump, (or in this case a hop).
While placing a great deal of importance on the feet, let’s not forget the arm movements. On setting up the bunny hop, you’ll be on the left flat, with your left arm in front and the right arm behind you. Remember to keep your arms below shoulder height; in fact, they should be just above waist height.
The jump:
Bend your left knee upon takeoff. Kick your right leg through. You can imagine you’re jumping over something, whether a hockey line or a stream, whatever imagery works for you. As with all jumps, it’s important not to look down at the ice. This is a very bad habit to get into as it lowers your jumps and an observer might think you’re looking for a lost contact lens or some extra cash on the ice! Find a spot on the wall, like a banner, lettering, a certain color, etc. to gaze at several feet or inches taller than you so you’re forced to look up. As you’re kicking your right leg through, you want to use your arms to help you efficiently jump. This means that your arms and your legs work together, and your right arm is forward, your left arm in back. In brief, your right leg and right arm move forward at the same time. Your left arm and left leg move back at the same time.
The landing:
A correct landing is the outcome when the takeoff and the jump are done properly. You land on your right toepick and your left foot immediately steps onto the ice and you’re again on your left flat edge. Now you’re ready to launch into another, and another! To polish your jump, it’s good to point your toe on the right free leg kick through. A pointed toe always looks better, and, in addition, makes for an easier landing.
The method described above is for the skater who skates in the counterclockwise direction which is considered ‘normal.’ Most skaters are right-handed and jump and spin to the left. Those who skate in the ‘opposite’ direction, or clockwise, will do a stronger bunny hop starting on the right flat, kicking through with their left leg and landing on the right. In the beginning, you’ll want to try the bunny hop both directions to determine which is your stronger side, clockwise or counterclockwise. Knowing how to do things in both directions makes you much more versatile.
The bunny hop is a learning jump. You’ll either be convinced that you want to remain on the ice doing edges and not attempting jumps, or you’ll venture into exploring more difficult jumps. Either way, the bunny hop is a good element to know.
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