Figure skating jump

A figure skating jump is determined by the launch, landing, and number of revolutions completed. Any jump of at least one but fewer than two revolutions is a single jump; similarly for double, triple, and quadruple jumps. Current world-class competition for men requires quadruples jumps, while women need triple jumps; just a few women are starting to be able to do quadruple jumps.

An edge jump is any jump which takes off from the skating foot without bringing the free foot in contact with the ice to assist the takeoff. Edge jumps include the Axel, loop, and Salchow. The Axel jump, named for its originator Axel Paulsen[?], is launched on the forward outside edge and landed on the back outside edge of the opposite foot. It is the only jump that begins facing forward. The loop jump is launched from the back outside edge and lands on the same back outside edge. The Salchow jump (pronounced "sow-cow"), named for its originator Ulrich Salchow[?], is launched off the back inside edge and landed on the back outside edge of the opposite foot. The waltz jump, essentially a half-Axel, is a one-half rotation launched from the forward outside edge and is rarely performed in competition.

A toe-pick assisted jump is any jump in which the toe pick of the free foot is used to assist in pushing off. Such jumps include the flip, Lutz, and toe loop. The flip jump is launched from a back inside edge and landed on the back outside edge of the opposite foot. The Lutz jump, named for its originator Alois Lutz[?], is launched from a back outside edge and landed on the back outside edge of the opposite foot. The rotation of the jump is in the opposite direction to the wide curve skated to prepare for the launch. The toe loop jump is launched from the back outside edge and lands on the same back outside edge (in other words, a toe-pick assisted loop jump).

In pairs figure skating the throw jump may be performed, in which the woman is thrown into the air by her partner and lands on a back outside edge.