Salchow Jump Directions

Figure skating is a beautiful and graceful sport with competitors working as individuals or as partners to perform eye-pleasing jumps and spins on the ice. Before progressing to advanced maneuvers featuring high jumps and numerous spins, it is important to master the basic maneuvers of skating. A salchow jump is performed by completing a half turn in the air so that a skater leaps while facing forward but skates out of the jump backwards. Once mastered, additional turns can be added, turning the trick from an 180-degree rotation into a 540-degree turn or more.

Things You'll Need

  • Ice skakes
Show More

Instructions

    • 1

      Push forward with your trailing leg pointing straight behind you.

    • 2

      Bring your trailing leg forward while elevated until it is even with the leg supporting your weight.

    • 3

      Swing the elevated leg around in the air as you begin to lower your body by flexing your supporting leg until the elevated leg has gone 3/4 of the way around to the direction it was in when you pushed off to begin the salchow and you are now facing backwards.

    • 4

      Continue turning as straighten your supporting leg to jump.

    • 5

      Propel yourself off the ice as your rotation brings you forward again and bring your arms in to your chest.

    • 6

      Rotate a half turn in the air and land skating backwards.

    • 7

      Spread your arms out wide as your elevated leg points straight behind you and hold the position to demonstrate a stable landing.