Although a simple jump, there are various approaches to it ranging from a walk-through to doing it from back crossovers.
Since you've hopefully tried the bunny hop, the prospect of doing a "˜real' jump looms before you. Anytime you leave the ice you're jumping, but there's a difference between a jump with no revolution and one with a half revolution.
The railing:
Waltz jumps are often taught to those desiring more security either near the railing or allowing the student to hold onto the railing. It's a device that is very helpful for conservative skaters. The best way to learn a waltz jump for adults is whatever way works for you. Walking through the jump is preferable for most students.
Determining whether you are a clockwise or counterclockwise jumper usually starts with the bunny hop, but it's even more apparent in the waltz jump. Directions will be given in the standard counterclockwise direction, so those of you who are clockwise skaters should simply reverse the instructions.
The waltz jump is really just a 3-turn in the air. It's not a jump you see done at national or international level competitions very often and that's a shame. On an advanced level, it's a jump that when done with speed and height resembles a sideways version of ballet's grand jete or a Russian split jump.
The walk-through:
Whether you're holding onto the railing, near it, or in the center of the ice, the walk-through is the same. Start in the standard 3-turn position, left foot at a 90-degree angle, right foot behind it, facing the other way. Make sure you're looking up; spotting something on the wall that causes you to keep your chin up. Then lift your right leg up and thrust it forward. In the midst of this walkthrough, you'll only get a hint of the middle part of the jump, the portion where you make the transition from forwards to backwards. You'll "˜land' on your right back outside edge and your left leg will be behind you. Do this move a few times, either holding onto the railing, or on your own. This is giving you the feeling of what you'll soon be doing in the air. Nothing was mentioned about the arms, as that's the next step.
Using your arms:
The more you use your arms, the stronger your jump will be. Most of the power is in your legs, but the reason men usually jump higher than women is because of their upper body strength.
Start as before, your feet forming the letter T, left foot in front, right foot turned at a 90-degree angle. This time your arms will be held at your sides, touching your hips. Then pull them out about 4 or 5 inches. Next, you'll pull them back about 6 inches. Now you're ready to do walk through with your arms only, don't be too concerned about your feet, that's for the next step! As you look up at the rink's wall""you can't do this exercise at the railing""you bring your arms forward until they're almost shoulder height. This is going to bring you to the apex of the "˜jump' in that you will do the ½ revolution so you're now facing the direction that was to your immediate left. If you begin facing north, you'll be looking west during the apex of the jump. [For clockwise skaters that would be east]. At the apex of the jump your arms are directly in front of you. You are staring high up at the wall so your chin is up. Then you will assume the arm position for a checked landing. In figure skating it's all about being able to check a landing, and the more advanced you get the more important it becomes. From the apex of the jump you'll now keep your right arm out, but your body turns so that you're now facing south [clockwise will be north] and your left arm extends in front of you. This position of the arms resembles the letter L. Anytime you do this is will help stop your rotation. Sometimes the L is a bit more open as the left arm comes back a bit more. What you want to avoid is not using your arms to land a jump.
Now you must walk through the jump using your arms, legs and head so that all are correctly aligned. Begin with the T-position, arms to the side, then back about 6 inches. Look up at the wall. Your right leg will extend back, along with your arms. To keep your balance you'll have to bend your left knee. Arms and leg will then go forward, to the right. Your arms will be parallel in the center of the walk-through and your legs will be the furthest apart, balance evenly distributed. Assume the L-position with the arms to check out the walkthrough.
The waltz jump:
Here will be your first chance to actually do the waltz jump with a small amount of speed and height. Conservative skaters can try this alongside the railing. More adventurous skaters will be near the railing or elsewhere on the ice.
As for the walkthrough, the actual jump is done on a forward outside edge. It's one of the few jumps that takes off forwards. When you do the waltz jump you need to remember this checklist:
1. Bend your knee!
2. Look up. Points 1 and 2 will be mentioned constantly if you continue skating, especially if you take lessons.
3. Bring your arms to the side and then behind you, keeping your shoulders down. Even if you aren't feeling too relaxed, try to look it. This jump becomes much easier with practice.
4. The last thing to leave the ice is the toepick.
5. Kick through with your right foot. Try to keep your toe pointed. The kick through is what really helps you achieve a strong waltz jump.
6. Your arms will be in coordination with your free leg [the one that's doing the kicking through!] First they'll be back, and then they reach forward in a small arc so they add to the power of the jump.
7. At the apex of the jump your arms will be parallel in front of you. Your legs will be apart, like you're attempting center splits.
8. As for the landing, your right toepick will be the first part of your blade to land. It'll be doing so backwards as this is a back outside edge landing.
9. Your arms check in the L position, left arm in front, right arm to the side.
10. As you check out, remain on your right back outside edge. Your free leg is behind you, acting as a counterbalance.
You've just done your first waltz jump! Don't be concerned about getting a lot of height and width in the beginning. Aim for getting the coordination followed by a strong form.
The check out:
Practicing the check out by itself is important. It can be done standing at the railing, pushing away from it. Stand near the wall, holding on, feet parallel. Lift up your left leg behind you, turning your leg so that your blade is parallel to the ice. Good turnout only helps a skater and if you've had ballet lessons in the past they'll pay off in skating. You must be looking up, shoulders down, back slightly arched. Use those gluteus maximus muscles""they're essential for skating. Now, push off from the wall and make sure your arms are in the L position. Look up and stretch your free leg behind you and bend your right knee. This is the check out which all skaters do whenever they exit a jump or spin. Sometimes the position is described as having both arms to the side to insure that the jump's revolution is halted. But in the case of this jump, that isn't necessary.
Ideally, the waltz jump is performed from back crossovers into a Mohawk into the jump itself. But for now, this is the safest method. Also, when learning jumps, it's best to do so under the supervision of a qualified coach.
