Level: Foundation
Base exercise: Axel take-off to follow through
Variation: Landing on take off leg rather than landing leg.
Purpose: This drill helps skaters practice getting their full power and vertical height on their take-off by not allowing the free side to enter into rotation before the take-off. Also by landing on the take off foot, skaters have to be more organized and compact in their air position
Helps with these common mistakes: Jumping too far out, or around, swingy axel, no height on axel, not using take off leg
Associated skating element: Axel
Rotational direction demonstrated: Counterclockwise
Equipment: No equipment
Up Next in Take-off
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Advanced-Elite: Resisted skating side...
Purpose: This drill helps skaters work on the awareness and stability of their skating side shoulder and arm position of the axel take-off
Focus: Axel take-off, upper body position, skating side arm, skating side check, shoulder abduction
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Advanced-Elite: Resisted free arm axe...
Purpose: This drill helps skaters control their free arm on the axel take-off so that their shoulders do not release too soon before the follow-through.
Focus: Axel take-off, axel follow-through, upper body position, upper body check position, free side shoulder strength
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Advanced-Elite: Banded free leg axel ...
Purpose: This drill helps skaters work on the pull back and muscle engagement of their free leg in the axel take-off
Focus: Axel take-off, glutes, hip flexors, external rotation, free hip lifted, knee turnout, free leg pathway
