How to Complete a Toe Loop Jump

A toe loop is one of the most simple jumps practiced in figure skating today. The salchow jump generally precedes learning a toe loop jump, as it is a slightly easier technique. To complete a toe loop jump, a figure skater must take off and land on the same backwards outside edge of their ice skate. This jump is very easily recognized and is often a crowd favorite at ice skating competitions. Read on to learn more.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Complete a Perfect Toe Loop Jump

1. Start with the 3 turn. This maneuver is a common entrance point for building enough momentum to complete a toe loop jump.
2. Vault into the air. By using the right, back outside edge of your skate and assisting the jump with your left toe pick, you can initiate the jump from the ground up.
3. Practice both clockwise and counterclockwise toe loop jumps. The direction of your jump is determined by foot placement prior to the jump.
4. Use the toe loop jump to propel you into another jump. The toe loop is often seen to be the second jump in a series of jumps, since it takes off on the same edge where most ice skates land.
5. Display good technique. Avoid rotating your torso prior to the toe loop jump, as this causes point deductions and is actually considered an entirely different jump called the toe Axel.

Learn More About the Toe Loop Jump

6. Study the variations. The ballet, mazurka and one-and-a-half jump are all variations of the toe loop. Each one has distinct movements; but they are all half-rotation jumps that use a toe loop takeoff.
7. Explore the origins of the toe loop. It was created in the 1920s by an American figure skater named Bruce Mapes who competed at the professional level.
8. Get creative. The toe loop is practiced today in either single, double, triple or quadruple units. Of course, the quadruple units are more complicated and require advanced skills.
9. Attempt to break figure skating records. As of today, several prominent male figure skaters have landed quadruple toe loop jumps in competition. However, not a single professional female figure skater has yet to complete a quadruple toe loop in competitive skating.
10. Get with the lingo. In the skating world, the toe loop jump is often shortened to "toe", as in double or triple toe.

Tips & Warnings

• The toe pick is one of the sharp teeth located at the very front edge of an ice skate.