Axel Jump - Axel Technique

Axel Technique

To perform an Axel, the skater typically approaches the jump on a right back outside edge in a strongly held check position before stepping on a left forward outside edge. He or she vaults over the toe pick of the left skate and "steps up" into the jump with the right leg. The skater crosses the left foot in front of the right, which is known as a back spin position (similar to the loop jump), to bring the center of rotation around the right side of the body. This act is often described as a weight shift in the air. Uncrossing the legs during the landing checks the rotation and allows the skater to flow out of the jump with good speed.

It is common for skaters to skid the forward take off edge, especially on double and triple Axels, rather than vaulting directly off a clean edge. The skid helps the blade grip the ice on the take off, and is considered an acceptable technique as long as the skid does not makde the skater pre-rotate the jump or take off the back of the blade. When the skater makes a mistake in the timing of the jump, such as the blade does not grip the ice and he or she slips off the edge, the result is called a "waxel," often resulting in a fall.

Computerized biomechanical studies of skaters performing double and triple Axels have shown skaters typically do not achieve as much height on triple Axels as they do on doubles. This may seem counterintuitive because higher jumps ought to give a skater more time to complete the rotation. Instead, during the triple Axel, skaters do not take a big "step up" so that they can pull into the rotation position more quickly.