Your First Jump: The Waltz Jump
Master the foundation of all figure skating jumps
🎯 Why the Waltz Jump?
The waltz jump is the first jump every figure skater learns. It's a half-rotation jump that teaches you the fundamental mechanics of taking off, rotating in the air, and landing—skills you'll use in every jump you ever do. While it looks simple, the waltz jump is the building block for single, double, and triple jumps. Master this, and you've unlocked the door to the jumping world!
What is a Waltz Jump?
A waltz jump is a half-rotation jump where you take off from a forward outside edge, rotate 180 degrees in the air, and land backward on the opposite foot.
Key Characteristics:
- Takeoff: Forward outside edge (usually left foot)
- Rotation: Half turn (180 degrees) in the air
- Landing: Backward outside edge on opposite foot (usually right)
- Direction: You land skating backward
- Height: Small jump, just a few inches off the ice
Why It's Important:
- Teaches proper takeoff technique
- Introduces air rotation
- Develops landing control
- Foundation for axel (the only forward-entry jump)
- Builds confidence for bigger jumps
It's called a "waltz" jump because the rhythm matches a waltz: step, step, jump-land. The timing has a musical, dance-like quality that gives the jump its name.
Prerequisites
Before attempting waltz jumps, you should be comfortable with:
- Forward outside edges: Solid one-foot glides on outside edge (see our edges guide)
- Backward skating: Confident skating backward (see our backward skating guide)
- Backward outside edges: Landing position for the jump
- One-foot balance: Stable on one foot for 5+ seconds
- Falling safely: Know how to fall and get up (see our falling guide)
If you're still working on these skills, focus on them first. Attempting jumps before you're ready increases injury risk and creates bad habits.
Waltz Jump Step-by-Step
Begin skating forward with moderate speed.
- Skate forward in a straight line or gentle curve
- Build comfortable speed (not too fast!)
- Arms extended for balance
- Knees bent
- Look where you're going
Step onto your left forward outside edge (LFO).
- Push onto your left foot
- Tilt onto the outside edge
- Let yourself curve naturally
- Right leg extends behind you (free leg)
- Arms in "check" position (left arm forward, right arm back)
- This is your takeoff edge
The quality of your takeoff edge determines the quality of your jump. A clean, deep outside edge gives you the power and direction you need. A flat or wobbly edge makes the jump harder. Practice this edge until it's solid!
As you glide on the takeoff edge, swing your right leg forward and up.
- Swing from behind to in front of you
- Knee straight, toe pointed
- Swing through, not around
- This creates lift and rotation
- Think: "kick through"
As your free leg swings through, push off your left foot and jump.
- Push down into the ice with your left foot
- Spring up off your toe pick
- Lift your body up
- Arms come together in front
- You're airborne!
While in the air, rotate 180 degrees (half turn).
- Your body naturally rotates from the takeoff
- Keep your core tight
- Arms stay controlled
- Look for your landing
- You'll complete a half turn
Land on your right foot, skating backward on an outside edge.
- Land on your right backward outside edge (RBO)
- Knee bent to absorb impact
- Free leg (left) extended behind you
- Arms in check position
- Glide out backward
- Hold the landing edge
A good landing is quiet and controlled. You should land on one foot with a bent knee, not crash down on two feet. The landing edge should be clean and held for at least 2-3 seconds. "Stick the landing" like a gymnast!
Learning Progression
✅ Stage 1: Off-Ice Practice (Week 1)
Practice the motion on the ground: step, swing, jump, land. Build muscle memory without the ice.
✅ Stage 2: Waltz Jump Prep (Weeks 1-2)
On ice: practice the takeoff edge, free leg swing, and landing position separately. Don't jump yet—just go through the motions.
✅ Stage 3: Baby Waltz Jumps (Weeks 2-3)
Tiny jumps, barely leaving the ice. Focus on technique, not height. Land on two feet if needed.
✅ Stage 4: Full Waltz Jumps (Weeks 3-6)
Complete rotation, clean one-foot landing, held landing edge. Consistent technique.
✅ Stage 5: Mastery (Months 2-3)
Waltz jumps feel natural, can do them in sequences, ready for toe loop or salchow.
Common Waltz Jump Mistakes
🚫 Two-Foot Landing
The problem: Landing on both feet instead of one
The fix: Focus on landing on your right foot only. Practice the landing position on the ice without jumping. Bend your knee more to absorb the landing.
🚫 Flat Takeoff Edge
The problem: Taking off from a flat blade instead of outside edge
The fix: Practice your LFO edge until it's deep and clean. The edge creates the rotation—without it, the jump doesn't work.
🚫 No Free Leg Swing
The problem: Not swinging the free leg through
The fix: Exaggerate the swing! Your free leg creates lift and rotation. Swing it like you're kicking a ball.
🚫 Looking Down
The problem: Watching your feet during the jump
The fix: Keep your head up and eyes forward. Look where you're going to land, not at the ice.
🚫 Straight Landing Leg
The problem: Landing with a locked knee
The fix: Bend your knee on landing! This absorbs impact and gives you control. Think "soft landing."
🚫 Too Much Speed
The problem: Going too fast into the jump
The fix: Slow down! Waltz jumps don't need much speed. Moderate pace gives you more control.
Practice Drills
Drill 1: Off-Ice Waltz Jump
Building muscle memory:
- Stand on the ground or mat
- Step forward onto left foot
- Swing right leg through
- Jump and rotate 180 degrees
- Land on right foot facing backward
- Repeat 10 times before each ice session
Drill 2: Takeoff Edge Practice
Perfecting the setup:
- Skate forward onto LFO edge
- Hold the edge and curve
- Swing free leg through (don't jump)
- Step down and glide backward
- Repeat 10 times to build the pattern
Drill 3: Landing Position Hold
Building landing strength:
- Push backward onto RBO edge
- Hold the position for 5-10 seconds
- Knee bent, free leg extended
- This is your landing position
- Repeat 5 times each session
Drill 4: Waltz Jump Sequence
Building consistency:
- Do 3-5 waltz jumps in a row
- Down the length of the rink
- Focus on rhythm and consistency
- Each jump should look the same
Safety Tips
⚠️ Important Safety Considerations:
- Warm up first: Never attempt jumps on cold muscles
- Clear space: Make sure no one is in your landing zone
- Start small: Tiny jumps first, height comes later
- Bend your knees: On takeoff AND landing to prevent injury
- Use a coach: Proper technique prevents bad habits and injuries
- Know your limits: If you're tired or sore, stop
- Proper equipment: Make sure your skates fit properly
What Comes Next
After mastering the waltz jump, you'll progress to:
- Toe loop: First toe-assisted jump (uses toe pick for takeoff)
- Salchow: First edge jump with full rotation
- Loop jump: Takeoff and landing on same edge
- Waltz-loop combination: Two jumps in sequence
- Eventually: Axel: The waltz jump's bigger sibling (1.5 rotations)
The waltz jump is your foundation. Every jump you learn builds on these mechanics: edge takeoff, rotation, one-foot landing. Invest time in perfecting your waltz jump, and all future jumps will be easier!
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about the waltz jump
Most adult beginners can do a basic waltz jump within 4-8 weeks of regular practice with a coach. A clean, consistent waltz jump with proper technique takes 2-3 months. Everyone progresses at different rates depending on athletic background, practice frequency, and coaching quality. The key is building proper technique from the start rather than rushing to get height or speed.
Two-foot landings are the most common beginner mistake! Causes: fear of falling, weak landing leg, not enough rotation, or poor takeoff edge. The fix: practice the landing position without jumping (just glide backward on RBO), bend your knee more on landing, and make sure you're completing the full 180-degree rotation. It's okay to land on two feet while learning—gradually work toward one-foot landings as you build confidence and strength.
While you can attempt waltz jumps on your own, a coach is highly recommended. Jumps require precise technique, and bad habits formed early are hard to break. A coach can spot issues you can't feel (flat takeoff edge, poor free leg swing, incorrect landing position) and provide real-time corrections. Even occasional lessons make a huge difference in safety and progress. See our coach selection guide.
Height comes from proper technique, not force! Common issues: weak free leg swing, not pushing off the ice, straight takeoff leg, or poor timing. The fix: exaggerate your free leg swing (this creates lift), bend your takeoff knee deeply and push down into the ice, and time your jump with the free leg swing. Don't worry about height initially—focus on technique. Height naturally increases as your technique improves.
Absolutely! Fear of jumping is completely normal, especially for adult beginners. You're launching yourself into the air and landing on a thin blade—that's scary! Tips to manage fear: start with tiny jumps barely off the ice, practice off-ice first, make sure you know how to fall safely, use a coach for support, and celebrate small progress. The fear decreases significantly after your first few successful jumps. Trust the process!
Both are half-rotation jumps, but they have different takeoffs. A waltz jump takes off from a forward outside edge (edge jump), while a half flip takes off from a toe pick (toe jump). The waltz jump is learned first because edge jumps are easier than toe jumps for beginners. Once you master the waltz jump, you'll learn toe-assisted jumps like the half flip and toe loop.
No, jumps are not allowed during public skating sessions. Public ice is too crowded and unpredictable for jumps, creating safety hazards. Practice jumps only during freestyle sessions where jumps are expected and the ice is less crowded. See our ice time guide for details on session types.
You're ready for the next jump when you can do consistent waltz jumps with: clean takeoff edge, full 180-degree rotation, one-foot landing, held landing edge for 3+ seconds, and proper technique every time. Your coach will tell you when you're ready. Don't rush—a solid waltz jump makes all future jumps easier. Most skaters spend 2-3 months perfecting the waltz jump before moving to toe loop or salchow.
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