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 I'm 14 years old and I've been skating for 4 years now. I
started learning the axle about 2 months ago, but I just
can't land it. I can do it while on the harness but when I
do it on the ice I can only do half a rotation, sometimes
one. Another problem is that I can't cross my legs. So I
can't rotate. Should I exercise more to jump higher? Any
tips on the jump? I've tried practicing the jump on the
ground, and I can do the 1 1/2 rotations. But I can't cross
my feet. When I concentrate on crossing them I only do half
a rotation. Help?
Answer HI Eugenia:
Yes, the axel is a difficult jump and there are many reasons that may be contributing to your not landing it. One thing you may consider is that you do not need to cross your legs in order to rotate for the axel. You do need to change the weight so that it is over your landing leg but you can do this with or without crossing your legs. Sometimes the cross-legged rotation position works better with the double jumps than the axel.
I would suggest reading some of my other posts on axels and try some of the exercises I have recommended.
