Loop jump
Encyclopedia
The Loop jump is a figure skating jump
that takes off from a back outside edge and lands on the same backwards outside edge. For a jump with counterclockwise rotation, this is the right back outside edge. It is named from its similarity to the loop compulsory figure
. The invention is widely credited to Werner Rittberger
, and the jump is also known as the "Rittberger" in Europe
. However, evidence exists that it may have been first done as early as the 1880's.
To do a loop jump, a skater typically does a 3 turn
or mohawk turn
onto a left back inside edge, then reaches into the circle on the right back outside edge while drawing the left foot (still on the ice) to cross in front of the right. The knees are deeply bent, so that it sometimes appears that the skater is almost in a sitting position. On the approach edge, the rotation is strongly checked with the shoulders facing into the circle. At takeoff, the skater lifts the left leg while simultaneously pushing off with the right; the rotational momentum for the jump comes from releasing the check of the shoulders and pressure on the edge, rather than by swinging the arms or free leg. The skater maintains the cross-legged position, known as a back spin position, in the air before landing after one or more rotations. Some skaters use a controversial two-footed takeoff technique where both feet are used to gain more spring, similar to one used for the Salchow jump
.
performed the first triple loop jump at the 1952 Winter Olympics
. The first female skater known to be able to perform a triple loop was Gaby Seyfert in 1968. No skater has yet successfully performed a quadruple loop in competition.
Since the loop takes off the edge that is used as the landing edge for most jumps, it is often seen as the second element of a jump combination. In this case, it is necessary for the skater to keep the free leg (the left leg for a counterclockwise rotator) and the same shoulder forward on the landing of the preceding jump, instead of bringing it backward in the normal check-out or for a toe loop jump
. The timing for loop-based combinations is thus much quicker than toe-loop-based combinations.
Éric Millot
of France
was the first skater to perform a triple loop/triple loop combination, in 1996. In the years since, doing triple loops in combination has become considered somewhat hazardous, since a number of skaters including 1998 Olympic
champion Tara Lipinski
have suffered serious hip
injuries from practicing them.
or flip jump
which take off from a back inside edge. The half loop is normally taught to figure skaters after they are able to land their regular loop jump. This jump is also known as the Thoren (after Per Thorén
), or, especially in artistic roller skating
, as the Euler jump.
The true half-rotation jump with a loop entrance, landed forward (on the left toe pick and right forward inside edge, for a counterclockwise jump), is called a falling leaf. This jump can be performed with a split position at the peak of the jump, which is called a split falling leaf (see split jump
).
The loop jump should not be confused with the toe loop jump
, which has significantly different mechanics and technique.
Figure skating jump
Figure skating jumps are a major element of competitive figure skating. Different jumps are identified by the take-off edge and the number of revolutions completed. There are six kinds of jumps currently counted as jump elements in ISU regulations.-Technique:...
that takes off from a back outside edge and lands on the same backwards outside edge. For a jump with counterclockwise rotation, this is the right back outside edge. It is named from its similarity to the loop compulsory figure
Compulsory figures
Compulsory figures or school figures were formerly an aspect of the sport of figure skating, from which the sport derives its name. Carving specific patterns or figures into the ice was the original focus of the sport. The patterns of compulsory figures all derive from the basic figure eight...
. The invention is widely credited to Werner Rittberger
Werner Rittberger
Werner Rittberger was a German figure skater.Rittberger invented the Loop jump in 1910...
, and the jump is also known as the "Rittberger" in Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
. However, evidence exists that it may have been first done as early as the 1880's.
Loop technique
3 turn
A 3 turn is a figure skating element which involves both a change in direction and a change in edge. For example, when a skater executes a forward outside 3 turn, the skater begins on a forward outside edge and finishes on a backwards inside edge...
or mohawk turn
Mohawk turn
A mohawk is a turn in figure skating that involves a change of foot but not a change of edge. It can be done on either inside or outside edges.The most common mohawk turn is the forward inside open mohawk...
onto a left back inside edge, then reaches into the circle on the right back outside edge while drawing the left foot (still on the ice) to cross in front of the right. The knees are deeply bent, so that it sometimes appears that the skater is almost in a sitting position. On the approach edge, the rotation is strongly checked with the shoulders facing into the circle. At takeoff, the skater lifts the left leg while simultaneously pushing off with the right; the rotational momentum for the jump comes from releasing the check of the shoulders and pressure on the edge, rather than by swinging the arms or free leg. The skater maintains the cross-legged position, known as a back spin position, in the air before landing after one or more rotations. Some skaters use a controversial two-footed takeoff technique where both feet are used to gain more spring, similar to one used for the Salchow jump
Salchow jump
The Salchow is a figure skating jump with a takeoff from a back inside edge of one foot. The rotation in the air is made in the direction of the curve of the take-off edge. The landing is made on the back outside edge of the foot opposite the one used for take-off. One or more rotations may be...
.
Loop history
The loop can also be done as a double or triple, with two or three rotations, respectively. Dick ButtonDick Button
Richard Totten "Dick" Button is an American former figure skater and a well-known long-time skating television analyst. He is a two-time Olympic Champion and five-time World Champion...
performed the first triple loop jump at the 1952 Winter Olympics
1952 Winter Olympics
The 1952 Winter Olympics, officially known as the VI Olympic Winter Games, took place in Oslo, Norway, from 14 to 25 February 1952. Discussions about Oslo hosting the Winter Olympic Games began as early as 1935; the city wanted to host the 1948 Games, but World War II made that impossible...
. The first female skater known to be able to perform a triple loop was Gaby Seyfert in 1968. No skater has yet successfully performed a quadruple loop in competition.
Since the loop takes off the edge that is used as the landing edge for most jumps, it is often seen as the second element of a jump combination. In this case, it is necessary for the skater to keep the free leg (the left leg for a counterclockwise rotator) and the same shoulder forward on the landing of the preceding jump, instead of bringing it backward in the normal check-out or for a toe loop jump
Toe loop jump
The toe loop is one of the simplest jumps in figure skating. It is usually the second jump learned after the salchow. It is a toe pick-assisted jump that takes off and lands on the same backward outside edge. - Toe loop technique :...
. The timing for loop-based combinations is thus much quicker than toe-loop-based combinations.
Éric Millot
Eric Millot
Éric Millot is a French figure skater. He is the 1993 European bronze medalist and 1990-1993 French national champion. He represented France at the 1992 Winter Olympics, where he placed 15th, and at the 1994 Winter Olympics, where he placed 7th.-Competitive highlights:-References:* *...
of France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
was the first skater to perform a triple loop/triple loop combination, in 1996. In the years since, doing triple loops in combination has become considered somewhat hazardous, since a number of skaters including 1998 Olympic
1998 Winter Olympics
The 1998 Winter Olympics, officially the XVIII Olympic Winter Games, was a winter multi-sport event celebrated from 7 to 22 February 1998 in Nagano, Japan. Seventy-two nations and 2,176 participans contested in seven sports and 72 events at 15 venues. The games saw the introduction of Women's ice...
champion Tara Lipinski
Tara Lipinski
Tara Kristen Lipinski is an American figure skater. At the age of 15, she won the Ladies' Singles Olympic gold medal in figure skating at the 1998 Winter Olympics. Lipinski remains the youngest individual gold medalist in the history of the Olympic Winter Games. She is also the 1997 World...
have suffered serious hip
Hip (anatomy)
In vertebrate anatomy, hip refer to either an anatomical region or a joint.The hip region is located lateral to the gluteal region , inferior to the iliac crest, and overlying the greater trochanter of the femur, or "thigh bone"...
injuries from practicing them.
Loop variants
A related jump in figure skating is the half loop. In spite of its name, it is a full rotation jump. It differs from a regular loop jump in that it is landed on the opposite foot, on a backward inside edge. Half loops are only done as single jumps, and are primarily used as connecting elements in a jump sequence, before a salchow jumpSalchow jump
The Salchow is a figure skating jump with a takeoff from a back inside edge of one foot. The rotation in the air is made in the direction of the curve of the take-off edge. The landing is made on the back outside edge of the foot opposite the one used for take-off. One or more rotations may be...
or flip jump
Flip jump
The flip jump is a figure skating jump which takes off a backward inside edge with a toe pick assist, and lands on the backward outside edge of the opposite foot.-Flip technique:...
which take off from a back inside edge. The half loop is normally taught to figure skaters after they are able to land their regular loop jump. This jump is also known as the Thoren (after Per Thorén
Per Thorén
Per Thorén was a Swedish figure skater in the early 20th century who won a bronze medal at the 1908 Olympic Games.-Results:...
), or, especially in artistic roller skating
Artistic roller skating
Artistic roller skating is a sport similar to figure skating but where constestants run on roller skates instead of ice skates. Within artistic roller skating there are several disciplines:* figures...
, as the Euler jump.
The true half-rotation jump with a loop entrance, landed forward (on the left toe pick and right forward inside edge, for a counterclockwise jump), is called a falling leaf. This jump can be performed with a split position at the peak of the jump, which is called a split falling leaf (see split jump
Split jump
A split jump is a sequence of body movements in which a split is performed after jumping, while the performer is still in the air. Split jumps are commonly found in dance, figure skating, and gymnastics, and may also be used as a form of exercise....
).
The loop jump should not be confused with the toe loop jump
Toe loop jump
The toe loop is one of the simplest jumps in figure skating. It is usually the second jump learned after the salchow. It is a toe pick-assisted jump that takes off and lands on the same backward outside edge. - Toe loop technique :...
, which has significantly different mechanics and technique.