Problem
1. To measure the ability of figure skaters to execute a loop jump with proper form.
Refining the Problem
2. Figure skaters from Old Bridge Ice Arena, who are currently enrolled in Freestyle 3 range from
ages 8-12. At this point, skaters have been exposed to many different jumps already. However
they have only been exposed to jumps that are half a rotation. A loop jump is the first jump
skaters will learn in this level that is a full rotation. Skaters in this level are expected to practice
at least two to three times a week to be successful in this jump.
3. I would use this rating scale by seeing a skaters achievement in this jump. Each Freestyle 3 class
runs for 8 weeks, within those 8 weeks skaters have the opportunity to be coached in a group
class setting on how to properly perform the jump. During the last week of the class, skaters will
be given the evaluation if they have completed the jump correctly and consistently.
4. In figure skating, there are two types of jumps, an edge jump and a toe jump. A loop jump is an
edge jump, meaning that skaters will take off from the outside edge, which is the side of the
blade on the outside part of your foot. In order to do this correctly, there are many parts of your
body that needs to be in the correct form, or else you will fall. Since the loop jump is the first
jump that a skater is doing with full rotation, they normally get stuck on this jump for a while.
The main things I will be looking at when assessing the skaters loop are their edge they take off
from, shoulder flexion of the shoulder before take off, crossing the free foot (foot that is not on
the ice), landing on your toe pick with your left shoulder flexed in front of you and your right
shoulder abducted and body position throughout the jump and getting enough height. All of
these things are very crucial when trying to perform a loop jump. In the jump, each body part works as a team and when one is out of alignment, another must compensate throwing the
whole jump off. Without being on the correct edge, you are unable to perform the jump.
Shoulder flexion in the jump is very important before you take off. Without your left shoulder in
front of you and your shoulder flexed, you will pre-rotate your jump. Without your free foot
correctly crossed across your skating foot, a skater will have trouble getting out of their jump.
No matter what jump you preform in figure skating, you will always want to land on your toe
and have your shoulders in the right position to stop rotation and prevent injury. The last thing
you want to make sure if you have enough height to complete the jump so you are able to
accomplish the full rotation in the air because power can be lost when the knee of the free leg
(the leg not on the ice) do not have explosive thrust and never fully extending in the air.
Instrumentation and Methodology
5. When assessing a skaters loop jump I will be looking at the five components needed to correctly
preform this jump. I will use a rubric looking at each one of these components individually and
by giving them a 1, 3 or 5. 1 will represent needs improvement, 3 will represent good and 5 will
represent excellent. In order to “pass” a skater will need a score of 15 or higher.
6. If a any type of test administrator were to give this they would first need to be a registered
USFSA (United States Figure Skating Association) coach. All that would be needed to be able to
administrate the test is the rink, skater and the paper. As long as the coach has experience
coaching jumps and spins, they will be able to give their skaters this test.
Analysis of Results
7. A passing grade would be at least a score of 15 or higher. If a skater preforms this jump with
that score and can successfully do everything else required in the level, the skater will move on to the next level, Freestyle 4. This type of evaluation would be considered a summative
evaluation because I am measuring the student’s level of success that has been achieved by a
certain time and I am comparing it to the standard protocol needed to be successful.
References:
Sharp, Carolyn Marie Petrie (1999). A Biomechanical Analysis of The Single Loop Jump of Novice Figure Skaters. Montana State University. 1- Needs Improvement 3- Good 5- Excellent Take off edge Was not on the correct Was on edge, however Was on the correct edge it was not deep enough edge Shoulder flexion of the Left shoulder was not Left shoulder was flexed Left shoulder was flexed shoulder before take flexed in front of body in front of body, but in front of body off could be more flexed Crossing of the free Free foot was not Free foot was crossed, Free foot was crossed in foot crossed across skating but not in front of your the air foot in the air skating foot at the take off position Landing on the toe pick Did not land on toe pick Landed on toe tick, but Landed correctly on the with your left shoulder with left shoulder left shoulder was not toe pick with left flexed in front of you flexion and right flexed in front of you shoulder flexion and and your right shoulder shoulder abduction with your right shoulder right shoulder abducted abducted. abduction
OR Did not land on toe pick, but left shoulder was flexed in front of you with your right shoulder abducted. Height of the jump Not enough height to Enough height to land Great height! get the proper amount jump properly to get of rotation enough rotation
Total Score:______Pass Fail
Comments:______