Axel entries & take-offs

[Sylvia]

Starting a general / technical discussion thread for Axel entries & take-offs, why some skaters telegraph the entry more than others, etc.

... lots of skaters hate axel take-offs because not only does the forward take-off feel like jumping into an abyss, the timing has to be right or it can result in much nastier waxel falls than screwing up timing on any other jump. Waxels are usually from rushing the take-off edge and missing the toe pick/letting go of the check too early. Ugly, painful falls that can't be saved mid-air. Under stress/adrenaline it's almost always better for skaters who struggle with that axel timing to err on the side of caution and wait until the set-up feels completely secure than risk being off, even if it disrupts the program flow. Telegraphing axels for some skaters is always going to be the lesser of two evils.

 

[Rukia]

That's a pretty good description. When you are taking off for toe/lutz/loop/flip/sal, it almost feels like you are pulling back and in to yourself in a way that feels much more secure than an axel take-off where you are sort of heaving yourself forward. Also back edges just feel more secure than forward edges to me lol.

 

[bladesofgorey]

Ask any skater and they'll have a nightmare waxel horror fall that's been imprinted in memory. Honestly, the only thing that rivals some really bad waxel falls in terms of PTSD is slipping sideways off a loop edge just before take-off.

 

[Jarrett]

Ask any skater and they'll have a nightmare waxel horror fall that's been imprinted in memory. Honestly, the only thing that rivals some really bad waxel falls in terms of PTSD is slipping sideways off a loop edge just before take-off.

Yea I would just have to watch mao asada at like 2008 worlds to see all the things that could go wrong.

 

[Aceon6]

I remember Petrenko doing 4 3As in a row as his encore a zillion years ago at COI. Perfect technique.