Axel (figure skating)
The Axel (or Axel-Paulsen ) is an elementary jump in figure skating . It is considered the most difficult jump ("king jump"). It is named after the Norwegian figure skater Axel Paulsen , who first showed it in 1882, back then even on speed skating runners . Thus the Axel is the oldest of the six basic jumps in figure skating. The axel is also the only one of the six basic jumps that is jumped forward. Therefore, in addition to the number of revolutions counted, half a revolution more must be carried out (e.g. a simple Axel has 1.5 revolutions, a triple 3.5). So far, the Axel has jumped up to three revolutions under competition conditions.
execution
The runner initially slides backwards-outwards, for example on the right leg. Then he transfers his left foot in a forward direction, shifting the pressure to the forward-outward edge. When jumping, the runner pulls his arms back vigorously, at the same time bringing the right leg (free leg) with a swing, angled and close to the standing leg. In the air, it rotates 540 °, bringing the legs close together so that the right leg is slightly bent on the left leg (see sketch). The jump is landing on the right backwards-outwards.
literature
- Waltraud Witte: Figure skating basics . Meyer & Meyer Verlag, Aachen 2008 (new edition), ISBN 3898993310 .
- Carole Shulman: The Complete Book of Figure Skating . Human Kinetics, Illinois 2002, ISBN 0736035486 .
- Ellyn Kestnbaum: Culture on Ice: Figure Skating & Cultural Meaning . Wesleyan University Press, Middletown 2003, ISBN 081956642X .
- Lynn Kirby: A Perfect Landing (= Winning Edge Series , Volume 1). Thomas Nelson Inc., Nashville 1998, ISBN 0849958350 .
- Kristi Yamaguchi, Christy Kjarsgaard-Ness, Jody Meacham: Figure skating for dummies . John Wiley & Sons, Foster City 1997, ISBN 0764550845 .