Pet & Animal: How to Jump in Figure Skating

Figure skating jumps look incredible and are exhilarating to learn! If you're just starting out, try a basic jump. Once you’ve mastered the basic jump, try learning the bunny hop. If you’re feeling confident, try the waltz jump. This elegant and impressive jump is much easier than it looks and can easily be worked into figure skating routines. Before you know it, you’ll be gliding through the air!

EditSteps

EditLearning the Basic Jump

Glide along the ice with your feet facing forward. Gain a little forward momentum and then position your feet shoulder-width apart and point them forward. This foot stance helps to keep the direction of your jump straight and makes the landing easier.^[1]
- This jump is a great first move to learn if you’re new to figure skating.
- Slowly increase your speed as you get more confident doing the jump.
Bend your knees and push your hips backwards. This gives you a balanced stance from which to make your jump. Bend your knees until you feel nice and stable. Position your hips slightly behind the line of your feet to help balance your centre of gravity.^[2]
- If the position is hurting your thighs, bend your knees a little less. Keep experimenting until you find a position that is comfortable and balanced.
Push your skates into the ice and straighten your knees to start the jump. In a fluid motion, forcefully straighten your knees whilst simultaneously pushing your skates downwards. This will propel you into the air.^[3]
- Try to channel your momentum upward instead of forward. This will make your landing easier.
- The harder that you push into the ground, the higher and further you will able to jump.
- Make small jumps at first. This will help you to learn the basic movements and decreases the likelihood of injuring yourself.
Swing your arms up in front of your body while you make the jump. This will help to give you extra momentum and will increase the height and length of your jump. Swiftly pull your arms up in front of you while you are straightening your knees. The quicker that you swing your arms; the further that you will be able to jump. ^[4]
- Don’t worry about the positioning of your arms, as long as you bring them in front of your body in an upward motion you will achieve extra momentum.
Land the jump with your knees bent to keep you stable. Try to land the jump in the same position that you started in. While you are in the air, bend your knees and position your feet shoulder-width apart. This will give a stable base to land on and decreases your likelihood of falling forward.^[5]
- When you bend your knees, avoid bringing your chest forward as this puts you off balance.
- If you find yourself falling forward, widen your landing stance and check that your chest in an upright position.

EditMastering the Bunny Hop

Skate forward on 1 leg. Gain a little forward momentum and then skate in a straight line on your dominant skate. If you’re having trouble skating on 1 foot, practice by the rails until you feel more comfortable and stable.^[6]
- Most people find it easiest to skate on their left foot. Experiment with both sides until you find out which is easiest for you.
Bring your free leg back and then quickly forward. Stretch out your other leg behind you and then swiftly pull it in front of you in a straight line. You will need to slightly bend your swinging knee to avoid your boot touching the ice as you pull it forward. This swinging movement will give you the momentum to propel yourself forward.^[7]
- Keep the leg in the line of your body to maximise your stability.
- Don’t outstretch your leg fully as this will make it harder to pull forward. Simply let hang behind you in a comfortable position.
Hop into the air when your free foot swings forward past your body. Bend your skating knee and then quickly straighten it to propel yourself into the air. The momentum of your other foot swinging forward will make it easier to hop into the air.^[8]
- Don’t worry if you find it hard it to synchronise the movements at first. The more that you practice; the more automatic the timing will get.
Land the jump on the toe pick of your swinging foot. Angle your swinging foot slightly downward so that the toe pick hits the ice first. This helps to give you a more stable landing. Once your foot is on the ground and you have landed the jump, continue skating in a straight line.^[9]
- This is a great move to add into a skating routine. Once you get confident with the move, try doing multiple bunny hops in a row.

EditDoing a Waltz Jump

Balance on 1 leg and skate in a circle. Skate on your inside leg in a circular motion and outstretch your other leg behind you. The larger the circle; the easier the jump will be. Bend your chest forward slightly and keep your arms outstretched behind you to help keep your balance. Try to keep your back leg straight as this looks aesthetically pleasing. Vary the height of your back leg to change the way that the jump looks.^[10]
- Your inside leg is the leg closest to the midpoint of the circle.
Push off your inside foot to propel yourself into the air. Bend your inside knee and then quickly straighten it whilst you push your boot into the ice. This motion helps to give you momentum and will lift you into the air.^[11]
- Make small jumps at first. This will help you to learn the basic techniques and reduces the chance of injuring yourself.
Bring your arms in front of you to guide the direction of your jump. The position of your arms helps to dictate where you will land. While you are jumping off the ground, quickly pull your arms in front of your body. Keep your arms straight and inside the line of your body. This will help you to jump in a straight line.^[12]
- The quicker that you move your arms; the more momentum your jump will have.
Swing your back leg in front of you and use its momentum to turn you 180°. Keep your back leg straight as you make the jump. Swing your back leg slightly outside the line of your body in a circular motion to the front of your body. Use the momentum to keep spinning until you have turned 180°.^[13]
- If you find yourself turning too much, swing your leg with less force.
Bend your swinging leg just before you land. This will help to give you a stable platform to land on. If you feel a bit wobbly when your boot hits the ice, bend your leg a little more to give yourself extra stability.^[14]
- Your swinging leg is the leg that you will land on.
- Practice jumping on 1 foot on land to observe how much you naturally bend your knee when landing. Try to replicate this position when you are landing your jump on the ice.
Keep your other leg off the ground in a straight position behind you. Allow the non-landing leg to naturally hang behind you. Keep it extended to make the jump look aesthetically pleasing. Vary the angle of your leg to give the jump a different look.^[15]
- The lower the leg is to the ground; the easier it will be to balance.
Bring your arms perpendicular to your body to help balance yourself. Once your foot hits the ice to land the jump, pull your arms out to the side to help stabilise yourself. Avoid bringing your arms above your shoulders as this can throw off your balance.^[16]
- Keep your arms outstretched until you have gained your balance.