Info & Tips

It was once thought that you needed ice skates, fancy clothes, and access to a rink to enjoy ice skating. 

According to Statista, about 9.5 million Americans participate in ice sports like figure skating or ice hockey. 

It seems like the demand for skating was in decline, but not anymore.

A growing trend that involves no ice and no skates have been sweeping the nation, especially kids.

It’s called sock skating, a safe, fun way to ‘skate.’

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If you’ve had a chance to do some sock skating and you want to recreate that experience at home for your family, you’ve come to the right place.

What is sock skating?

As the name implies, sock skating uses socks to glide across a flat, smooth surface. 

It emulates the grace of ice skating without the need for expensive ice skates and traveling to rinks.

If you’ve slid across your living room floor before – a la Tom Cruise in Risky Business - then you understand sock skating.

The smooth surface mixed with soft socks creates an environment that takes the pressure out of balancing on skates or crazy wipe outs.

Besides being fun, sock skating can happen any time of the year since ice is unnecessary.

It’s also great for almost any age. Your toddlers and tots will enjoy it as much as teens and adults.  

What do you need to sock skate?

All you need are socks and a smooth, enclosed surface, and you can sock skate.

The type of socks will determine how much you can slide across the floor. 

Wool and cotton socks work best.

Avoid socks with non-slip features, as you’ll get stuck and constantly fall over.

Smooth surfaces like hardwood or laminate floors work the best.

Some are pre-treated with a special liquid conditioner to make the floor slippery. 

However, to get the real ice-skating feel, sock skating rinks are made with synthetic ice.

Synthetic ice is special white tiles or panels that can emulate the look of an ice rink.

The best synthetic ice material is made of high-density polyethylene that lasts for years. 

Many commercial rinks in malls, hotels, and entertainment centers use large synthetic ice panels to construct ice rinks during the Holidays.

Now, you can get synthetic ice tiles in sizes large and small to fit almost any space.

The tiles have dove-tail joint edges, allowing them to connect smoothly and form a large enough surface area for skating. 

These rinks allow ice skates with metal blades.

Some of the best on the market have minimal friction, allowing ice skaters to still enjoy skating without natural ice.

In fact, the more you skate on synthetic ice, the better it performs.

Recently, these same synthetic ice tiles have doubled as sock skating rinks.

Even as the seasons change, these rinks can stick around a little longer for sock skating.  

 

Where can I sock skate?

There are several locations that have added sock skating as part of their offerings for guests/customers.

• Children’s Museums and Science Centers:

Museums and science centers host thousands of kids every month looking to learn and have fun. To encourage more people, museums often set up synthetic ice rinks on a part of the main floor or the rooftop. Sometimes, these rinks stick around for sock skating, usually by popular demand.  Smaller rinks are often  available for toddlers and tweens. 

• Fall and Winter Events:

When the temperature drops, we see more events centered around fall and winter. From carnivals to state fairs and everything in between, it’s a great time to enjoy all the great things that come with the new seasons. Some of these events set up refrigerated ice rinks, but there’s now a rise in sock skating rinks made of synthetic ice.

• Indoor play parks:

Do your kids love indoor play parks? These parks have trampolines, climbing walls, slides, jungle gyms, and other cool activities. With the demand for skating, you will soon find sock skating rinks in your local playpark. 

Head online and search for ‘sock skating near me.’ You’ll find at least one of these locations with skating rinks, especially during the fall and winter. Make sure to bring a pair of socks to avoid overpaying at the venue.

Sock skating at home

What if you wanted to create a sock skating rink at home?

It’s as simple as setting up a synthetic ice rink and sliding to your heart’s content. 

Indoor ice rinks with synthetic ice can happen on almost any surface, and use your ice skates for practice or family fun. 

Here's how April and Davey were able to use our synthetic ice to surprise their kids:

INDOOR ICE SKATING RINK!!!!

You can do the same thing and swap out your skates for socks!

Here’s how to install your sock rink:

1. Choose and measure your space. Most families choose a spare room, living room space, backyard, or deck. Almost any flat, smooth surface will work. Use a measuring tape to map out the square surface. Measuring helps you to choose the size and number of synthetic ice tiles. If you’re choosing an outdoor location, make sure to consider factors like weather and lighting.
2. Is your surface level? A level surface minimizes falls and helps create a better skating experience. If you choose to use ice skates later, you’ll have a level surface already prepared. Use a laser level to double-check your surface, especially if you’re using the backyard. Place flat sheets of plywood before installing synthetic ice.
3. When you get your synthetic ice, place each tile next to the other in the formation of your choice. Use a soft mallet to connect the edges and form your rink. Recruit some help from the family to speed up the installation.
4. Sometimes, the rink needs a slip surface conditioner to make it slippery. The rink owner sprays a mist of the conditioner on the rink before skating. This is primarily for metal skates but can help with sock skating. Make sure to be careful as slippery rinks cause wipeouts!

And that’s it!

Slip on your socks and slip and slide around on your new skating rink.

7 Reasons to try sock skating at home

1. You don’t need to know how to skate: Anyone at any age could start sock skating. You don’t need to balance on skates or learn the fundamentals of ice skating, so even toddlers can start sock skating with confidence. The only focus is to skate and fall safely.

2. It’s a cost-effective hobby: With ice skating, you’ll need to spend time getting to local rinks. You’ll also need to spend hundreds on skates and other equipment. Sock skating only requires the upfront cost of the synthetic ice rink, the slip conditioner, and lots of socks! Since you won’t be using metal blades on your synthetic ice, the rink will last longer than the 5-10 year shelf life of synthetic ice.
3. You can skate any time of year: Don’t wait for the seasons to change to set up your rink. Since sock skating does not depend on ice, you and your family can have fun all year.  
4. It’s a great workout: Are you trying to stay active and burn some calories? Sock skating is a great way to get your blood pumping. Tone those legs while burning a few extra calories having fun with your kids.
5. Cut down screen time: On average, kids 8-12 spend between 4-6 hours on screens. Teenagers spend up to 9 hours watching TV and interacting on social media. That’s a lot of screen time! Parents are constantly looking for ways to get kids to play outside or turn off the TV. With sock skating, kids can take their eyes off screens for a while and have fun on the ice.
6. Get creative: Just sliding around for 30 minutes can get boring. However, there are some ways you can make sock skating more fun. For instance, you can play musical chairs on the ice! How about a sock skating talent show? Start your own TikTok sock skating channel! The possibilities are endless.
7. Enjoy more family time: Sock skating can bring the family together to do something safe and fun. That’s the invaluable benefit of your own rink. Enjoy more bonding time with your kids and discover a new hobby or passion together. Sock skating is often the start and kids move on to figure skating or ice hockey. These are wonderful memories your kids won’t forget.

Conclusion

Sock skating is a hit with kids and we’ll continue to see them in museums and other facilities across the county.

However, you don’t need to wait to have some fun of your own.

Set up your skating rink at home and enjoy hours of sock skating fun with your kids.

With our Home Starter Kits, for instance, all you’ll need is 32 square feet of space to get started.

You can then scale up by simply adding more kits as you see fit.

If you need help figuring out which option is right for you, our team can help you out.

Slip on those socks and start skating!

 

 

It’s finally hit your state, and your kids are begging you to go.

You’ve taken them to Disneyland, Disney World, all the movies, and everything else Disney. 

Now it’s time for Disney On Ice.

Disney On Ice is a traveling ice skating show that combines quality high-speed skating, acrobatics, and stunts with fantastic Disney costumes and props.

Characters from different movies team up to create a new, engaging story.

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Most are held on NHL rinks or smaller arenas, drawing thousands of Disney and ice skating fans. 

Disney On Ice has been on tour since 1981.

There has been a hiatus since Covid-19, but it’s back with a 2019 reboot of Road Trip Adventures.

You will see characters from Frozen, Encanto, Aladdin, Cinderella, and others. 

Why you should go to Disney On Ice [at least once]

As a team that’s partial to everything ice, we’re going to side with the kids. 

If your children skate or are interested in learning, Disney On Ice exposes them to different possibilities on the ice. Ice skating is more than hockey and figure skating.

It can be choreographed dance, acting, acrobatics, and much more. 

Everyone can dress up as their favorite characters and spend 2 hours absorbing a new spin on some of Disney’s icons. 

Seeing the characters dance and glide around the ice is a magical moment your kids will never forget. 

At the same time, there are some limitations to Disney On Ice.

Since it’s a touring show, it may not play in your state or at a date and time that’s suitable for your family. 

There’s also a chance your child’s favorite character is not in the show, so check before you go.

Finally, Disney On Ice can be expensive.

Prices on Ticketmaster average at $125, with some as much as $4000 for premium seats.

Pros and cons considered, Disney On Ice is a show you should take your family – at least once.

Can you create your own show at home?

Here’s a fun fact. 

Everywhere Disney On Ice goes does not have an ice rink, so they make one! 

Over 1.5 days, they created a 140’ x 60 ‘rink in the designated arena. 

Here’s a video with the ice technicians in action:

Building an Ice Rink - How We Do It | Disney On Ice

The process is like the refrigerated rinks used at local ice rinks, NHL games, and other professional spaces. 

This begs the question, “Can you create your rink to do your own show at home?”

Yes, indeed.

Home ice rinks are growing in popularity, especially around fall and winter. 

Portable refrigerated ice rinks are available; however, these are expensive to set up and maintain. 

We recommend using synthetic ice instead. 

Synthetic ice is a polyethylene tile that you can use for your metal blades. Tiles can come infused with a special conditioner to help their performance or non-infused, needing the slip surface conditioner applied before every use. 

Connecting multiple synthetic ice tiles creates a large rink for family and friends to play hockey, practice figure skating, or skate for fun.

In addition, synthetic ice does not depend on water or temperature, meaning you can use the rink throughout the year.

Our rinks also have a 10-year minimum lifespan, making synthetic ice an excellent investment. 

Five reasons to create your own Disney On Ice show:

After your first Disney On Ice show, your kids may be eager to perform themselves. Here are some reasons why you should do it:

1. The family can practice skating in a creative way: If you need to spice up your training or you want to introduce your kids to other styles of skating, your own ‘Disney On Ice show can help.
2. Bring out other forms of your creativity: It’s not just ice skating. You’ll need to plan, bust out your acting chops, and much more. It pushes you and the kids out of your comfort zones.
3. It makes excellent content: Why not post it for your friends and family to watch? If you already have a profile or create social media content, a homemade show is excellent for the algorithm.
4. Get everyone involved: What if you can’t skate? Synthetic ice allows you to use your socks to slide and glide across the tiles. So even if an aunt, neighbor, or friend can’t skate, they can still participate.
5. Relive the magic: You can recreate some of those magic moments you had when you took the family to the show.

Ok, it’s now time to deliver your show. Follow these steps and let your creativity flow! 

Set up your synthetic ice stage

Synthetic ice is one of the easiest and cheapest ways to put on an ice show at home.

If you’ve already set up your rink, your next step will be to think about decorating the surrounding space. 

If you need to set up your rink:

• Measure your space, which will likely be your backyard or a spare room. The square footage will help you determine how many tiles you need and the average price.

• Make sure the area is smooth and level. Sometimes, you need plywood or other flat boards to help with uneven parts of the ground.

• Some rink owners like to invest in boards (aka the rink walls). These can be wood or plastic. Rink walls aren’t necessary. However, they do add a layer of safety and create a finished product. You can buy rink walls online or create your own from wood.

• Place the tiles flat in the space and connect them using the dovetail sides and edges. A soft mallet ensures there are no bumps on the rink. An adult can do this part alone, but enlisting some help will make things go smoother.

Synthetic ice rinks are easy to set up and can be expanded or removed t any time.

Get a slip surface conditioner to resurface the rink as needed.

Plan your show

Gather the family and start brainstorming about your Disney On Ice event.

You can recreate the lines and scenes from the show, create your own concept, or do a little of both.

Everyone must decide on the cast, costume changes (if any), and music.

Make sure everyone who can skate has comfortable ice skates 

Write your lines (or don’t)

Whose line is it anyway? You can go straight improv, which can be cute and fun, or you can write out some lines.

It’s not a Broadway show, but you can still get the basics down in a way your young kids could read, remember, and recite.

If there are some simple lines to go by, if someone decides to improvise, it will be a lot more fun.

The goal is not to take it seriously, focusing on expression and creativity. 

Grab your costumes

Costumes are the fun part! Everyone gets to dress up as their assigned character, so it’s time to source the wardrobe.

You can visit a local Party City or Halloween costume store. If a particular costume is unavailable, you can try Amazon or eBay. 

Set the mood

Disney On Ice happens in an intimate space.

All the lights go off with spotlights shining on the characters and movements at any time.

Of course, you will not have a light technician, but something as simple as dimming the lights or hanging

Christmas tree lights or rope lights can make the moment feel special. 

Rehearse

Run through your production a few times before you do the real thing. It’s a home production, yes, but you still want it to be a fantastic production.

A dry run helps everyone to know where they will stand, what they will say, and how they will skate in and out of the rink. 

Grab an audience and record

What’s a show without an audience? Invite your close family and friends to the rink to see the show.

You’ve put all this work into it, and it feels great when others get to see your efforts.

The kids will also work extra hard to impress their grandparents, cousins, or friends. Of course, someone should be recording the show on their phone or camera.

You can then share it with friends and family who could not make it or post clips on social media. 

Could you do it again?

It’s not unusual for you or your kids to catch the showbiz bug!

When you do one show, you’ll probably want to do another one.

Take inspiration from some of the older Disney On Ice shows, like Find Your Hero (2012), Mickey and Friends (2009), or Dream Big (2006).

Holding events like these at home can inspire your kids into acting, dancing, or professional skating. 

Conclusion

Disney On Ice is a fantastic show filled with dancing, well-executed figure skating moves, fabulous costumes, and much more.

Everyone should experience it with their kids at least once.

It’s mainly targeted at young kids (under 10), but tweens and teens love it too. 

When you’re done, get started with your show on synthetic ice.

You and your kids can have fun expressing themselves without the hassle of a refrigerated rink.

Measure your space, then get started here to figure out your at-home ice rink needs.

 

 

You’ve finally decided to take the leap.

It’s time for ice skating. 

Maybe it’s a New Year’s Resolution or a goal when you turn a certain age. 

Or perhaps your kids have been begging you to get into skating since they saw Disney on Ice last fall.

Whatever the reason, ice skating is a fantastic skill to learn. 

Once you can skate, you can branch into hockey, figure skating, dance, and many other avenues that don’t get the attention they deserve. 

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Your next step is to find a coach or teacher so you or your kids can learn the basics. 

If you’ve been Googling ‘skating classes near me,’ we’re here to help you with some tips on ice skating.

You can even start right now at home with a few simple tools. 

Ice skating can be challenging at first, but once you get the right help and focus on the best activities, you’ll be a competent skater in no time. 

How do I find suitable skating classes near me?

So it’s time to get a coach, which can be a significant investment. Before you pull the trigger, it’s vital to find out your skating goals.

Is it just for recreational purposes?

Is it for more competitive skating?

Do your kids want to join other sports like hockey or speed skating? 

Investing in the right coach and equipment becomes easier when you have a clear goal.

Narrow your search down to 2-3 choices and visit their classes if possible. Get a feel for their teaching styles and student progress.

Go with your gut, as you don’t want to invest in skating classes only to drop out or cancel later. 

Here are 3 possible options for skating classes:

Search for group skating classes near me

Start by looking for a coach that has group beginner classes at a local rink. Check for a social media page or website with student feedback.

You’d want a teacher that’s patient and understanding with the skills to get students skating as quickly as possible. 

These coaches often lead a small group of students through a beginner class at different ages. 

Group skating classes are cheaper, so if you have kids, it’s easier to enroll everyone. 

You also connect with a community of new skaters; everyone can learn together. 

On the other hand, if you need personalized coaching or are interested in a particular type of skating, group classes can only work for a short time. 

A personal skating coach

Another option is a coach that specializes in 1 on 1 skating classes. This coach can fast-track you or your kids as they have personalized care.

The training is more intense, but you have a coach willing to work with you until you get it right. 

Personal coaches can be more expensive than group classes, and there can be logistic concerns and rescheduling.

However, personal coaches are one of the best ways to learn skating.

Individual/Group online coaching

Want to merge the best of both worlds? 

Online coaching can provide individual or group coaching in your own space and sometimes on your own time. 

You’ll simply log on to a Zoom or web service and take instructions from your online coach.

You won’t have to search for ‘online skating classes near me’ as you can connect with teachers worldwide. 

Online coaching is also cheaper than in-person coaching. 

 A disadvantage is finding a space where you can skate and take your online class simultaneously.

You may only focus on off-ice training first, but over time, you’ll need to invest in a space where you can use your metal skates and communicate virtually. 

Can you learn how to skate by yourself?

Is it possible to skip the classes and becomes a self-taught skater? 

Absolutely.

You can start training right now at home with minimal equipment. 

It’s possible to do off-ice and on-ice training in your backyard, deck, or spare room. 

Let’s break down both training methods that can quickly make you a competent skater.

Ice skating requires several ‘hard’ skills:

• Balance – Moving confidently on metal blades requires excellent balance. You’ll need to center yourself while engaging your core and lower body.
• Endurance – Skating is tiring! You’ll need to build up your stamina and cardiovascular strength for almost any skating discipline.
• Strength – Strong legs mean you can perform powerful moves, skate faster, and land safely should you move on to jumps.
• Flexibility – The twists, turns, and bends you see in figure skating aren’t by accident. Skaters spend time building their flexibility, and you should too.

Consider off-ice training tools

For off-ice training, you can learn to skate with some helpful tools. 

• Ice skates with rubber blade cover: Yes. Visit a skate shop and get fitted for your ice skates. Once you get your skates, pick up rubber covers for the blades.
• Slide board and socks – These long, rectangular boards are great for skate-specific training. You’ll simply use a pair of socks to emulate the ‘sliding’ feeling of ice skating.
• Ice skating spinner/turning board – A small, slightly curved plastic part that you can use for spin training. You simply step on it and use your momentum to practice twists and spins.
• Bosu ball – A half-ball used by gymgoers to help with strength and balance in the lower legs.
• Inline skates – Inline skating may not be the same as ice skating, but many concepts are the same (balance, flexibility, endurance, etc.). If you have a skate park, roller rink, or open space nearby, practice inline skating to help you with your ice skating.

Try these off-ice exercises

Here are some off-ice exercises that can help you become a skater quickly. 

Get comfy in your skates:

Start wearing your skates with the rubber guard to practice balance and get accustomed to moving in ice skates.

A few minutes of standing and walking every day can go a long way. 

Balance on your Bosu ball

Balance on one leg using your ball to strengthen your lower legs.

Start with 10 seconds on each leg, then increase the timeframe as you get stronger. 

Practice moves on your slide board

Try different moves on your slide board.

Side-to-side skating and forward strokes are great examples of exercises to build skating moves and endurance. 

DIY Slide Board at Home! The Best Off Ice Training Exercise!

Learn turns on your spinner

If figure skating or dance is in your future, you’d want to practice spins.

It’s time to pull out your skate spinner.

Along with balance training, you can start learning basic turns and twists.

Here’s a great video that shows some beginner drills. 

Skate Spinner Off-Ice Training for Beginners

Stretches and exercises

Strength and flexibility are essential parts of your off-ice training.

Simple stretches before practice (warm-up) and after practice (cool down) make sure your muscles are ready to go.

 Stretching also helps with performing complex moves while reducing injury. To build more strength, try exercises like:

• Single Leg Deadlifts
• Lunges
• Squats
• Pistol Squats
• Planks

Based on age and fitness levels, do modified versions of these exercises. 

Skating classes at home with synthetic ice

Can you do on-ice skating at home? 

Yes, you can, with synthetic ice. 

Synthetic ice is tiles or panels that bring skating to your backyard, deck, or spare room.

These panels are made of unique material and infused with a slipping agent to help provide an experience like your local ice rink. 

Some synthetic ice comes non-infused, requiring a slip conditioner to be added before use. 

Once you connect the panels on a flat, level surface, you can begin skating almost immediately. 

It’s one of the best long-term investments in ice skating and can be scaled up or down to your liking.

In less than an hour, you can have your skating rink ready. 

Off-ice training will give you the strength and balance to transition easily to on-ice training. 

YouTube is an excellent resource for learning the basics of skating. 

For instance, Coach Michelle Hong has an excellent video to get you started. Spend at least one month on these exercises, and you’ll become a competent skater quickly. 

BEST VIDEO FOR ICE SKATING BEGINNERS! || HOW TO ICE SKATE | Coach Michelle Hong

Remember, being self-taught can only take you so far.

A synthetic ice setup is perfect for skating classes at home. 

You can have a laptop nearby for virtual classes or have a personal trainer come to your home for extra attention. 

Conclusion

Ice skating is a fantastic pastime for adults or a way for kids to get into a challenging, competitive sport. 

In both cases, learning the basics is key to enjoying yourself or taking things to the next level.

Finding a teacher, either in a group setting or privately, is the best way to get started.

But what if there aren’t any skating classes near me when you search online?

Then you can get started at home with some simple training aids.

From there, invest in synthetic ice, which takes the hassle out of finding someone nearby, locating ice rinks, or spending money on travel and coaching.

 

 

The toe loop jump is a fundamental figure skating element performed in competitions at almost all levels.

In order to perform this jump, the skater must start from the back inside edge of one foot, rotate in the air, and then land on the back outside edge of the other foot.

Proper technique, strength, and practice are key to acing your toe loop.

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This guide will provide tips and exercises to help you master this essential figure skating jump.

Can you take your routine to the next level?

The power of routine

In figure skating, a routine is a choreographed sequence of elements performed on the ice to showcase the skater's skill and artistry.

These routines are set to music and can include jumps, spins, footwork, and other factors.

Anyone interested in figure skating as a sport or for competition purposes will learn routines.

Skaters usually have different routines for short programs and free skating.

The power of a well-executed routine lies in its ability to captivate the audience, leave a lasting impression, and showcase technical skill, personality, and creativity.

When the Winter Olympics come around, spectators hold their breath as figure skaters push the boundaries of physics with beautiful spins and jumps.

In these competitions, skaters are judged on the execution and presentation of their elements, their skating skills, timing, and interpretation of the music.

A high-quality routine can help a skater stand out and secure a top spot on the podium.

Whatever your level, your goal is to develop solid routines with technically sound spins and jumps.

Adding Jumps to Your Routine

In figure skating, a jump is a maneuver where a skater propels themselves into the air and rotates one or more times before landing back on the ice.

If it sounds difficult, you’re right. It is. 

There are several types of jumps, including the toe loop, salchow, flip, loop, and axel.

Each jump is named after the skater who first performed it and is characterized by the specific edge and direction of take-off and landing and the number of rotations in the air.

In competitions, jumps are measured by the number of rotations (single, double, triple, or quad), the edge of take-off and landing, and the body's position during the jump.

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Points Are Awarded For Technical Merit Which Considers Take-Off, Flight, Landing, And Overall Execution Of The Jump.

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The points increase depending on the skater’s ability to land more difficult jumps.

You also get points for combining multiple jumps or performing jumps in specific sequences.

To add jumps to your routine, it is essential to practice them consistently and work on building strength and proper technique.

It is also necessary to practice jumps in combination with other elements, such as spins and footwork, as well as practicing them to the music of your routine.

Be sure to consult with a skating coach as they can help you identify the specific areas you need to work on to improve your jumps and incorporate them into your routine effectively.

Skaters can lose points for various reasons such as; stepping out of the landing, falling on the landing, or not completing the full rotation(s).

Skaters may also lose points for not using the right edge or having poor body position during the jump.

Edge vs. Toe Jumps

In figure skating, jumps can vary by the type of edge or toe used to initiate them.

Edge jumps, such as the Lutz, Flip, and Loop, are initiated by taking off from the inside or outside edge of one skate.

Skaters use these edges to generate power and rotation for the jump.

Toe jumps, like the Toe Loop, Salchow, and Axel, are initiated by using the toe pick of the opposite foot to assist in the take-off.

Each type of jump has its characteristics and requires a different technique to execute correctly.

Edge jumps are considered more difficult, as they require a higher level of skill and precision to take off and land on the correct edge; however, they are typically more powerful.

Toe jumps are often considered easier to execute but less powerful.

Skaters should work on mastering both types of hops to become well-rounded and versatile.

What is a Toe Loop Jump?

A toe loop jump is a fundamental figure skating element. 

This jump involves the skater taking off from a back inside edge and rotating one and a half times in the air before landing on the back outside edge of the opposite foot.

Proper technique, strength, and practice are key to acing your toe loop jump.

To reach a toe loop jump, it is important to have at least mastered beginner jumps like the Waltz.

These jumps are considered the foundation of figure skating and are a prerequisite for more advanced jumps like the toe loop.

The Waltz jump is a one-foot take-off, one-and-a-half rotation jump and is considered a fundamental jump.

Once you've mastered the Waltz jump, you can move on to more advanced jumps like the toe loop.

It's important to remember that mastering figure skating jumps takes time, patience, and practice.

Working with a coach with experience with figure skating and who can provide guidance and feedback to help you improve your technique is essential.

With proper training and practice, you can master the toe loop jump and take your figure skating routine to the next level.

How Do You Perform a Toe Loop?

To perform a toe loop, the skater begins by gliding on a back inside edge and using the opposite foot's toe pick to initiate the jump.

The skater then rotates one and a half times in the air while keeping their free leg extended and lands on the back outside edge of the opposite foot.

Maintaining good form throughout the jump is important, including keeping the free leg extended and the body in a good jumping position.

How Can You Perfect Your Toe Loop?

To perfect your toe loop, it is essential to focus on proper technique, strength, and practice.

Start by focusing on the basics of the jump, such as the take-off and landing edge, as well as the body position during the jump.

Consider landing the toe loop from different entrances, which can give you more variety in your routines.

Body positioning matters with jumps, especially when you add double or triple rotations.

Your head, shoulders, hips, and knees should establish a straight line which helps maintain your balance and center of gravity.

Have a friend or coach record your practice sessions so you can break down your body positioning and correct minor issues with your form.

Work on building strength and flexibility through off-ice training exercises such as jump rope, plyometrics, and stretching.

Consistently practice the toe loop on the ice, and get feedback from a coach to help identify any areas that need improvement.

On-Ice vs. Off-Ice Training

• On-ice training is the practice of figure skating elements on the ice, such as jumps, spins, and footwork.
• Off-ice training is the practice of figure skating features away from the ice, such as jump rope, plyometrics, stretching and synthetic ice training.
• On-ice training is vital to perfecting the execution of the elements and adapting them to the specific conditions of the ice
• Off-ice training can help skaters tremendously to build strength and flexibility, which are essential to improve your skating!

Both types of training are essential for a skater's development.

General Tips to Improve Your Routine

To improve your figure skating routine, it is essential to focus on proper technique, strength, and practice.

Consistently practice your jumps, spins, and footwork on the ice, and build strength and flexibility through off-ice training exercises.

Get feedback from a coach to help identify any areas that need improvement. Incorporate music and costumes that reflect your style, and try to showcase your personality and creativity in your routine.

Lastly, don't be afraid to experiment and try new things.

Remember that figure skating is an art, and enjoying the process and having fun while doing it is essential.

Final Tips

Mastering figure skating jumps is essential for taking your routine to the next level.

• A well-executed jump can captivate an audience and leave a lasting impression on both them AND the judges!
• To ace your jumps today, focus on proper technique, strength, and practice by starting with beginner jumps like the Waltz.
• When you're ready, then move on to more advanced jumps like the toe loop.
• Remember that on-ice training is essential for perfecting the execution of the elements and adapting them to the specific conditions of the ice.
• Off-ice training can help you build strength and flexibility, which are essential for figure skating.
• Get feedback from a coach to help identify areas that need improvement, and don't be afraid to experiment and try new things.

Remember that figure skating is an art, and enjoying the process and having fun while doing it is essential!

With consistent practice and dedication, you can take your jumps to the next level and ace your figure skating routine!

You can do it, just get started!!

 

 

Figure skating is an exciting winter sport that the mass majority of people look forward to watching every 4 years during the Olympic games.

The speed, power, skill, and technique required to perform a flawless routine is what keeps us glued to our screens.

There are mutiple jumps that a skater must perform to sway the judges their way and help propel them to the podium.

Reaching the pinnacle of competitive figure skating is not easy and it requires years of commitment and dedication to master all the fundamentals (elements)

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Practice Your Axel Jump At Home With Your Own PolyGlide Synthetic Ice Panels 

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Then you can move on to the most advanced moves, like figure skating jumps.

The axel is undoubtedly one of the jumps you will learn on your figure skating journey but it will NOT be the first one on your list!

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Are you ready for an axel?

A jump is a standard move executed in figure skating competitions where the skater must leap into the air, rotate, and land on one foot in a "checked" position.

There are several jumps named after past skaters, however, only the following six are recognized and scored in competitions:

• Lutz
• Loop
• Toe Loop
• Salchow
• The Flip
• Axel

When a skater performs a jump, they take off from one of the edges on the blade (called an edge jump) or they use the toe pick to help launch into the air (a toe jump.)

The type of jump is determined by this factor along with the leg they land on and the general position of the body before the jump (forward or backward facing).

The axel is mentioned last for a reason as it's a great jump that signals a huge accomplishment for any figure skater.

It was originally created by Norwegian figure skater Axel Paulsen in 1882.

It's a "forward-facing" jump (the only of its kind) and takes off using the outside edge of one foot, then lands on a backward outside edge of the other foot.

To complete the jump, the skater must rotate 1.5 times while in the air.

In most all competitions, the axel is a mandatory jump, with some events requiring a double or triple axel during the routine.

Successfully landing an axel does wonders for your final score in a competition, making it a major focus in training. 

Why is the axel jump so difficult?

Landing any jump is difficult, requiring several years of training (with many, many falls) and most figure skaters will agree that landing an axel is the most difficult of all jumps.

Even some of the best skaters have a hard time executing the jump as it requires full control and use of your entire body from takeoff to landing.

You'll also need to nail the timing while performing an extra half jump which takes skill, talent and patience to develop.

Axels also require confidence as you need to jump higher, shift your gravity, and land opposite to how you started leading into the jump.

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How do you do an axel?

Before you hit the axel, it’s recommended you become proficient in the other jumps first, including beginner jumps like the Waltz jump.

An axel can be broken down into four main stages:

1. The Lead up: You’ll need to generate enough speed to land an axel (although beginners should start from a standing position). Start skating and turn into a forward-facing position. Move to the left outside edge if you’re taking off clockwise and switch legs counterclockwise.

2. The Take off: Bend your knee and take off from the standing leg. The trailing leg should extend as far back as possible. Take off from the standing leg, swing the trailing leg, arms, and opposite shoulder as you move into the first half revolution of the jump.

3. The jump: Draw in your arms and cross the legs as tight as possible to complete the necessary revolutions.

4. The landing: Stick the landing by landing on your opposite foot on the outside edge of the blade. Check out by extending your arms and the leg you took off from for a safe landing.

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How long does it take to learn an axel jump?

It’s difficult to say how long it will take you to learn an axel as some skaters can learn it in a few weeks, while others take 1-2 years to land it properly.

There are several factors that impact your learning curve, including age, weight, skating skill, general talent, mindset, and much more.

As we previously mentioned, it’s important to get a good grasp on all the other jumps first before attempting an axel......we can't stress that enough!

This will give you a better chance to land the jump quickly as it often involves combining multiple moves into a single, fluid motion.  

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7 Figure skating tips to ace your axel [and other key moves]

The axel is just one of many moves you have to combine to become a competitive skater.

Acing your axel and other figure skating moves can feel daunting but you can become a better skater by using these tips:  

1. Practice, practice, practice

It goes without saying that mastering figure skating (especially jumps) requires hours of practice.

Figure skating requires repetition, balance, foresight, and dexterity, all of which you can develop over time with practice.

It's easy to read here how to ace the axel jump, but you’ll only get better at it by hitting the ice and start training.

It helps to have a clear vision of what you want to achieve and the steps you need to take to get there.

Once you understand the reason why you’re learning each move, you'll be able to implement it in practice.

From there, you can schedule your set practice and recovery days and be sure not to miss them.

It’s not about what you know but how well you can apply your knowledge, and that only comes with practice! (and a lot of falling ;-)

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2. Get an axel coach

Many figure skaters have coaches and teachers to help them master the basics of skating, spins, and routines.

An axel requires a combination of specific skills and you can make significant progress with extra lessons from a coach that’s known for their axels.

This could be also be virtual or in person.

The coach can look closely at your technique and help you clean it up, correct any bad habits, and give you extra homework to make you more explosive or more technical in your axels.

Additional coaching is vital when you’re moving to double axels or triple axels.

3. Get the right boots and blades

As you move up in skill, you’ll be attempting more moves that require more power, greater force, and more endurance.

You’ll need the right equipment to keep up with hitting axels, double axels, and other great moves. 

Consider upgrading to higher quality boots without over-booting (where the boots are too stiff and never break in, making skating more difficult).

Riedell, Aura, and Jackson are great brands for intermediate skaters, while Edea ice skates are the gold standard for advanced skaters. 

Always make sure that your skate blade is sharp with a deep hollow so you can "grip" the ice when taking off.

Ask your coach to get advise you on the best place where you can get your skates sharpened.

4. Work on individual parts of the jump

Axels combine some of the essential moves into a fluid movement and any one move can cause your jump to fail.

A skating coach can identify which moves can help you improve your axel and break it down for you so you can work on those. 

For instance, Coach Michele Hong recommends skaters work on Bunny Hops, Waltz jumps, Back Scratches, and gliding on outside edges to get your axel down.

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You can also use off-ice tools like slideboards or synthetic ice to work on each specific move of you jump. 

Once you ace the single, you can move on to the double or triple!

5. Work on your flexibility and balance

Axels require you to contort your body while taking off on one leg, then landing on the other.

Working on your flexibility and balance is crucial for achieving your jumps. Stretches, Pilates, single-leg exercises, and using Bosu balls can significantly improve your balance and coordination.

Make sure to have enough off-ice days for flexibility and balance drills. 

6. Improve your jump height

Landing a single axel requires more height than most other jumps as you need that extra half-turn to complete it.

Improving your jump means improving your axel.

Plyometric exercises to increase your vertical jump like squat jumps, jumping jacks, broad jumps, and box jumps.

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7. Study the best

You'll notice that some of the world’s best skaters can pull off double and triple axels with ease and over time, their skill levels will only continue to get better.

For instance, in 2022, Ilia Malinin made history at the Skate America Grand Prix when he landed the first quadruple axel in a competition. Check it out right here: https://youtu.be/pDjluGOFFqI

Figure skaters often have contemporaries and opponents they admire with mutual respect.

Like a football player that studies film, studying their technique on landing axels is one of the best ways to see where you’re doing wrong.

Use YouTube or past recordings of performances to learn different combinations and fine details to make yourself a better jumper!

If you see something that contradicts your coaching, get clarification from your coach before attempting it on your own.  

8. Visualization matters

Landing your axel has a lot to do with skill but a big part of it is believing that you can land the move.

Be sure to take some time before each training session to visualize yourself doing the jump.

The fact that the jump is difficult can make you feel uneasy before trying it for the first time.

It's important to cultivate a positive mindset that wil help you ace your axel!

Conclusion

Adding the Axel jump to your routine is a mandatory part of your skating journey.

You’ll need it once you decide to be competitive, and learning it takes time, strength, discipline, and consistency. 

You’ll need to break your training into on-ice and off-ice, with a bit of studying and mindset work sprinkled in between.

You can even do off-ice axel spins to make sure you get the mechanics down.

Remember to practice these jumps from a standing position first before adding speed. 

Remember that the earlier struggles you go through today are worth the success you achieve several months from now.

Keep persevering and you’ll ace your axel in no time!