As a beautifully delicate and expressive sport, figure skating is the best way to have fun on the ice whilst looking elegant. Seen at the Winter Olympics, couples take turns to perform emotional pieces filled with flawless moves in the air and on the ice. Not only does this require precision and balance, but each participant must possess a significant amount of strength. This is essential for producing such a majestic routine, especially when it comes to holding oneself so precariously on the ice, as well as being lifted by your partner in motion.
Strength, precision, and balance are all very important skills to have as a figure skater; however, not one these could be achieved without the perfect pair of well-made ice skates. Below, we have listed four examples of tricks trained skaters have performed (and how they do it). This will hopefully demonstrate what a sturdy, supportive pair of skates can do and how they ultimately benefit your development throughout your favorite hobby. Enjoy!
The Lutz
The Lutz is a toe-pick jump designed to begin from the outside edge of foot one and ending on the outside edge of foot two. Consisting of either a single, double, or triple jump, it is a complex move that you shouldn’t try until you have perfected both balance and precision. Especially seeing as it is approached from a backward position. Click here if you wish to see an example.
The Axel
The Axel is yet another complicated move that should not be attempted without assistance or experience. This specific jump is performed from the outer edge of the skater’s left foot and landed on the outer edge of the right. However, this differs from the Lutz as it has an extra half turn within due to the taking off in a forward position and landing in a backward one. Again, click here if you wish to see this jump in action.
The Toe Loop
As one of the simplest figure skating moves, the toe loop jump is a toe-picked based move that begins and ends on the same foot. This can be performed in either a single, double, triple or a quadruple rotation. But of course, the more rotations involved in the jump, the more experience is necessary to pull it off.
The Salchow
The fourth and final jump that most figure skaters are aware of is the Salchow. As one of the first moves taught to you during training, this jump consists of a start from the inside edge of one foot and ending on the back edge of the other. Again, this can be performed in a variety of rotations; however, the most common use of it is through either a triple or quadruple spin.
So, if you’re dying to get out onto the ice and learn these four cool but complex moves, then why not take invest in the perfect pair of ice skates for you and your future talent.