AboutDr. Bruce Forciea Expertise I can handle most questions regarding sports injuries, conditioning, jumps, spins, and basic skating.
Experience Professional skating coach for 15 years. Former PSA Senior rated coach and ice show performer. Now a chiropractor and full-time college instructor in anatomy and physiology.
Organizations Human Anatomy and Physiology Society
Wisconsin Chiropractic Association
Publications Wisconsin Technical College System course in General and Advanced anatomy and physiology.
Author of Unlocking the Healing Code, a book on healing scheduled for release in December, 2007.
Education/Credentials Doctor of Chiropractic from Parker College.
B.A. Psychology Eckerd College
Awards and Honors Midwestern Novice and Junior Pairs Champion and National competitor.
Question Hi,
I have been working hard to try and land an axel and double salchow. My coach tells me that the takeoff is good, but I just don't complete the rotation -- I am consistently 1/4 -1/2 turn short. My question is, how do you increase rotation? Snap harder? Spin faster in the air somehow? Another site said that you generate all your angular momentum during takeoff and you can't change it in the air. How do you generate more angular momentum?
Thank you so much for any help you can offer. I have been working on these jumps for years.
Answer HI Allison:
In many cases the 1/4 to 1/2 short is a normal stage of learning the jump. However if you continue to do this long enough it kind of solidifies in your nervous system. Since you mentioned that you have been working on these jumps for years this may be your problem.
Your question is difficult to answer because I would need to watch your technique in the jump. You are right about generating angular momentum at the takeoff and this does not change in the air. However it could be that you are stopping the fast part of the rotation while in the air. This could be due to improper weight distribution over your skating hip, breaking at the waist in the air, dropping a shoulder, not jumping into the circle, etc.
If you have access to a harness that may be of help in having your coach watch your in-air position during these jumps. Otherwise jump rotation exercises off the ice may help (read one of my earlier responses).
I wish you the best in accomplishing your jumps...
