I am 14 and I've been skating since l was 5, so 9 years, and l started to work on my axel. l can land them on the ground and on the harness, but for some reason l just can not do it on the ice! It is so frustrating! I've been working on it for about 4 months now. Any one have any exercises or advice that might help? Thanks so much!!!

It all depends on what the problem is, r u not getting enough rotation while jumping on the ice, or r u just not landing it?

If u r not getting enough rotation, then I'd suggest practicing ur axel off ice with an extra half of a rotation, that way when u try on ice u can apply the same amount of force that u do off ice to land the half double, in order to get the rotations needed to land the axel.

And, if it is the fact that when u land u always fall, i'd suggest making sure that u check ur landing, land strong, do not let ur knees buckle! Keep those arms out & up for balance - & do not forget about that free leg! Keep that back & strong as well, if that touches then it is not an axel! & make sure that u r not rotating funny in the air. If u have a clean take off, & a clean rotation in the air then u will be able to land it no time!
Perhaps, while u r spining in the air u r not completely straight, so when u land u will be tiped a bit to that side, & probably fall when u land.

l need a bit more information in order to help more. If u would provide more information, that would be very helpful! :)

PS: l landed my double just this previous skating session, we only skate during the winter. :(


But, definitely keep trying! You will get it l promise. It takes longer for some people than others.

Any exercises . do u have an open field? Or a large area where u can run & jump?. I'd advise u to run really fast, & then all of a sudden do a waltz jump, but take off as if it were an axel - just from forwards, & try to land it. You will have much more force & unbalance than u would if u were doing axels from a spot. This may help u with a stonger landing & position. Maybe try with weights on ur legs? . Again, I'd need more information to really know how to give u advice on what the real problem is!

The axel, in my opinion, the hardest to learn.took me some time to finally land one, many years ago.it is harder to learn than most double jumps.

but. l will give u a suggestion that someone gave me that helped me greatly.as l landed my first axel right afterwards.

When u practice ur axel.look forward & try to focus on a stationary object in the rink.the barrier worked well for me.line up ur body, hips shounders & jump towards the barrier.

l do not know why this worked for me.perhaps focusing on something gave me the extra security l needed to push a little harder for rotation.or maybe my body may have been a little off center.

and once u master the axel.the double salchow & double toe come along right afterwards.

l hope this helps.and best of luck!!!