EDUCATION Carol Rossignol, MD, MS, MG, MPD, MFF
Justice for Jumping Part 3 B Y D O U G H AW
Jump Combinations and Sequences Jump combinations consist of two or more jumps in which the landing edge of the first jump serves as the take-off edge for the second jump. There is no change of foot or turn between the jumps, although the toe may be used to assist the take-off. Any jump combination (and sequence) is one jumping pass in scoring. Athletes must mentally think that even though there are two or three jumps in the combination, it is “one” element in their strategy! The jumps of a combination should be approximately the same height and length and should flow continuously. The timing for each jump is relatively the same. In a two-jump combination there are two commonly executed second jumps: the toe loop and the loop. The toe loop jump is easier from a technical point of view because of the toe assist. A loop as the second jump is more difficult because the landing leg must absorb the force or impact of the first jump and create the impulse (more force over less time) of the second jump without assistance. Balance and timing are critical to the success of a combination jump. If a skater is properly balanced on the “check out” of the landing phase of the first jump, the landing leg simply bends (at the hip, knee, ankle, and ball) to load for the second jump. The free leg is extended forward with dorsiflexion at the ankle. The free foot should be carried inside the landing arc with a slight contraction of the hip adductor muscles in the groin and then the tension is released to create the desired action for the take-off of the second jump (which varies from toe loop to loop jumps). The upper body is also in harmony with the lower body by facing into the circle with the free arm forward and the skating arm backward. Both arms take on the shape of the circle created here (like your arms are holding a giant tractor tire). The skating arm is open palmed (thumb up) with the shoulder blade pinching into the spine. The free arm is forward and relaxed with the palm facing the skater’s body. The head and the eye focus thus play a huge role in the combination jump. The challenge for stability on landing of the first jump relies on the skater’s ability to control the transfer from rapid generation of angular momentum to slow generation of angular momentum [angular momentum
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equals product of a skater’s moment of inertia and angular (rotational) velocity]. The head “checks” into the landing arc in concert with the eye focus being critical to achieve stability. The eye focus is locked on a selected horizon (or spot on the ice). This ensures that the head will be carried “up” with the “spine in line”. If there is any curvature of the spine the jump is lost! Every body part that can be recruited into the function of the second jump should be brought into play. The skating arm should be released from the strong check (where the shoulder blade is pinched into the spine) and strongly brought across the chest “fast and furious” to create as much rotation as possible! Remember, the head moves last on the take-off of the second jump! The size of the arc is an important consideration to maintain flow and energy between jumps. Even though skating is a “curvilinear” sport running on all edges, the skater must “think” the jumps are executed in “straight” lines (shallow arcs) to ensure the hips are always square to the arcs (as they rotate). Breathing is also a strong consideration in combination jumps. The skater must keep the inhale throughout the whole jump combination execution. The skater needs more speed for a jump combination than a solo jump. Always emphasize the second jump as only “up” as the skater has less speed. Where there is less speed in the second jump – curve on the landing from the first jump slows down the horizontal speed, and this concept is used for a second jump take off. Pay attention to the length of the arc in between the jumps. Most skaters make the arc (or runway as I mentioned in my first article on “jumpisms”) too short and thus technique will be incomplete and flawed. There needs to be no hesitation throughout the execution of the combination jump! The principle of the “skipping stone” over water should be employed. Too much height in the first jump results in overloading the second with too much “falling weight” and overloads the timing of the second jump. When executed properly, there is a “down, up, down, up, down” rhythm or timing used. The pattern on the ice is two jumps on the relatively the same arc so the second jump directly follows the first jump which makes them in “tandem” (no “U” turn for the second jump)! Flow and timing should be the major consideration to achieve the “skipping stone” principle. Skaters need to emphasize the height on the second jump for this reason.
