Axel Jump

Axel Jump

The Axel is a figure skating jump with a forward take off. It is named after Norwegian figure skater Axel Paulsen. Paulsen was the first skater to perform the jump in 1882. An Axel jump has an extra ½ rotation in the air because of its forward take off. The jump takes off from the left forward outside edge and lands on the right back outside edge. Although the Axel has a counterclockwise rotation, it can be reversed for a clockwise jump. The Axel can also be done as a double jump with 2½ rotations, or as a triple jump with 3½ rotations. No skater has yet accomplished a quadruple Axel in competition.