What are the six main types of figure-skating jumps?
In figure skating, jumps are categorized into two primary groups based on their takeoff technique: edge jumps and toe jumps.12
Edge Jumps
These are performed by propelling the body into the air using the edge of the skate blade without the assistance of the toe pick.12
* Axel: The only jump that takes off while moving forward; it includes an extra half-revolution.12
* Loop: Performed while moving backward, the skater takes off and lands on the same foot.1
* Salchow: Typically initiated by turning from a forward to a backward motion, the skater takes off from one foot and lands on the opposite foot.1
Toe Jumps
These maneuvers are assisted by planting the toe pick of the skate into the ice to vault into the air.12
* Flip: The skater enters skating backward, plants the toe pick, and lands on the opposite foot.1
* Lutz: A difficult jump involving a long backward arc; the skater plants the toe pick and rotates in the direction opposite to the entry arc, landing on the opposite foot.1
* Toe loop: The skater uses the toe pick to vault into the air and lands on the same foot used for takeoff.1