How to Land the Axel: Your Guide to Success

What is AXEL?

The axel is one of the most challenging and iconic jumps in figure skating. It’s unique because it’s the only jump that takes off from a forward edge, giving it an extra half rotation compared to other jumps. In an axel, a skater starts by gliding forward on the outside edge of one foot, then pushes off, bringing the free leg through and upward to begin rotation. During the jump, the skater rotates 1.5 times (for a single axel) before landing backward on the opposite foot. The axel requires power, balance, and precise technique, making it a key milestone in a skater’s progression.


What Are the Key Steps?

Mastering the axel jump involves a series of key steps that build on one another to create a clean, powerful, and consistent jump.
  • First, mobility is essential; skaters need flexibility, especially in the hips and shoulders, to achieve the necessary rotation and extension.
  • Next, alignment ensures balance and control throughout the jump, with a focus on body positioning from takeoff to landing.
  • Strength is another critical component, as skaters need powerful leg, core, and upper body muscles to achieve the height and rotation required.
  • Finally, technique brings everything together; a precise approach to timing, body movement, and air position helps skaters execute a clean axel. By systematically building these components, skaters can develop the confidence and muscle memory needed for a consistent and successful axel.

Mastering Mobility for a Fluid Axel

Mobility is the foundation of a successful axel. Skaters need dynamic flexibility to rotate and extend through the jump, especially during the forward takeoff and air position. Without mobility in key areas—like your hips, shoulders, and ankles—achieving the height, rotation, and extension needed for the axel can be difficult.
At FLEXAFIT, we emphasize exercises that enhance range of motion while building joint stability, ensuring you have both the freedom and control to perform the axel effortlessly. Improving mobility allows skaters to achieve more extension and a smooth takeoff, making the jump feel fluid and natural.

Alignment for a Consistent Takeoff

Alignment is critical in executing a controlled and centered axel. This component ensures your body remains balanced, from the moment you take off to the instant you land. Many figure skaters struggle with alignment, causing falls or incomplete rotations.
Our approach at FLEXAFIT includes a targeted focus on body alignment drills. By consistently practicing alignment exercises, skaters learn how to position their body correctly, creating a solid foundation for every axel attempt. Proper alignment also helps skaters avoid common mistakes, such as leaning too far forward or back, or rotating into the circle that can throw the jump off balance.

Building Strength for Height and Rotation

Strength is essential for achieving the height and rotation required to land the axel. Figure Skaters need powerful leg, core, and upper body strength to lift off the ice and maintain the speed needed for a complete rotation.

Through FLEXAFIT’s strength-focused exercises, we help figure skaters build the specific muscles that power jumps like the axel. Our unique methodology involves explosive exercises that mimic the force and timing of the axel, allowing you to develop the strength needed for a high and controlled takeoff. When combined with alignment, this strength helps ensure that you’re prepared to achieve both lift and rotation.

Perfecting Technique for a Clean Axel

Technique is where all the elements come together. A clean axel requires a precise combination of timing, movement, and mental focus. Each phase of the jump—from takeoff to air position to landing—requires careful attention to detail.

FLEXAFIT’s approach involves a checklist methodology that ensures you’ve practiced and perfected each part of the axel jump. With this systematic method, we help figure skaters build muscle memory, so you know exactly what to do during every moment of the axel. This focus on technique ultimately translates to consistency and confidence, taking your axel from a challenge to a skill you can perform with ease.

Checklist Methodology for Consistent Jumps

At FLEXAFIT, our approach is unique because we understand that each of these factors—mobility, alignment, strength, and technique—must work together. If one piece is missing, the jump may lack control, height, or balance. By using a checklist approach, we ensure each component is addressed, building your axel from the ground up with a focus on precision and coordination.
Our methodology is so effective that we guarantee you’ll be able to land a strong, clean axel off the ice, which can be the breakthrough you need for on-ice success. By achieving a strong off-ice axel, you build the confidence, strength, and muscle memory needed to translate this success to your on-ice jumps.

Getting Started on Your Axel Journey

Whether you’re working on landing your first axel or refining your technique, FLEXAFIT is here to help you succeed. Our comprehensive, results-driven approach will equip you with everything you need to achieve a clean and consistent axel. Don’t let the axel intimidate you—sign up now and take the first step toward mastering this iconic jump with FLEXAFIT’s specialized training.
Get ready to land your axel like never before.

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