The Walley Jump

BY CAROL ROSSIGNOL

REVIEWED BY HEIDI THIBERT, CAROLE SHULMAN, DOUG HAW, AND DIANE MILLER

The Walley jump is a free skating jump of one full rotation. A skater takes off from a backward inside edge, completes one full rotation in the air, and lands on a backward outside edge on the same foot. It is similar to the loop jump, only it is a counter rotation jump. The Walley is used today more as a transitional skill and is an unlisted jump by the ISU in the IJS system. We see the Walley as a single jump as few have attempted double Walleys, and no one is known to perform triples or quads.

The jump is named after Nate Walley, an American skater, but others believe that the jump was first performed in Britain by Pat Low. You may have heard it referred to as the Pat Low jump. See diagram A.

Dorothy Hamill performed Walleys in both directions in succession as an approach to a double flip jump.

Doug Haw, MFS, notes “most coaches use them for warmup of jumping as it solicits excellent trunk rotation and edge pressure like no other for single jumps! It is equivalent to an Axel with degree of difficulty although the mechanics are completely different. Many coaches have their skaters do three in a row to build rhythm, strength and power as well as coordination. Skaters vary their arm positions with one arm over their head, then the opposite arm and then both arms in the final Walley when they are performed in succession. Almost all skaters have at least one in their program now for transitional steps or before a jump.”

Preparation (for counter clockwise rotation)

The take-off edge is a right back inside edge for a skater rotating in a counter clockwise direction.

Start with a left forward outside three-turn and step on to a right back outside edge with the right arm in front and the left in back while the left (free leg) is behind. Begin by changing the edge as in a power pull from the right back outside to a right backward inside edge. The left or free arm will now be in front and the right or skating arm will be well back. Lift and rotation is created by using knee action (bend and lift), plus upper body rotation (first to the left).

Another method of approach is skating a series of back change of edge pulls (power pulls) or from hopping from a left back inside edge to a right back inside edge.

Take-off

The take-off is from a right back inside edge with the free leg (left) extended behind. The left arm is in front and the right behind.

Drop quickly in the knee and jump when the pressure builds under the ball of the right foot to push-up.

The free leg lifts behind on the take-off to assist with the momentum for the lift-off of the jump. The free leg kicking from behind the skating foot is considered by some as a major component of the jump and not by others. The timing of this jump on the take-off is essential.

Flight/Air Position

The free leg (left) can remain behind or brought in front (like a loop jump) during the rotation in the air. A variation is to perform the jump with both arms over the head.

Landing

The jump is landed on a right backward outside edge in the usual landing position. Often the landing of the jump progresses into a power-pull and sets the skater up for performing consecutive Walleys in rapid succession.

Teaching Progressions

• Practice change of edge emphasizing arms and knee action with no jump.

• Practice alternate jumping from side-to-side from a right back inside edge to a left back inside edge with no rotation to strengthen the take-off edge.

• Practice changes of edges with hop and no turn landing on RBO edge.

• Practice jumping a right back inside counter turn, thus initiating a half rotation in the air. This helps to place the weight over the right side on the take-off.

• From backward changes of edge on the right foot with the right arm in front on the outside edge, and the left arm in front on the inside edge. The optimum time to jump (or hop) is just before the point “X” so that the skating foot leaves the ice at point “X”. See diagram B.

Teaching Points

• Practice off-ice first

• Practice at the boards, pushing off the wall with the left hand to initiate rotation.

• It is not advised to teach the toe Walley jump as a progression for the Walley as this only makes it more difficult to learn the Walley jump.

• The Walley is best done after the mechanics are clearly understood.

References: The Complete Book of Figure Skating, Carole Shulman, Human Kinetics, 2002

NCCP Figure Skating Certification Manual Level 2, Skate Canada, 1986

Common Errors and Corrections

ERROR & CAUSE

Jumping too late

• Poor timing

• Upper body not synchronized with the take-off or lower body

Poor height

• Too much toe on right foot (the take-off foot)

• Too much pressure downward

• Too much effort with free leg on lift

• No pressure on the ice

Incomplete rotation

• Too much effort with free leg on lift

• Poor rhythm with arms on change of edge

CORRECTION

Jumping too late

• Emphasize rhythm and shape of edges. Practice change of edge with hop and no turn

• Practice change of edge with no hop

Poor height

• Have skater stay more in the middle front of blade and maintain more upright position (leaning too far forward)

• Keep free leg relaxed and closer to skating leg

• Practice knee action on changes

• Not enough knee bend or not enough push off on the lift

Incomplete rotation

• Keep free leg relaxed and closer to skating leg

• Practices changes of edge with hop