Loop Jump Figure Skating: The Complete Entry-to-Landing Technique Guide

A loop jump in figure skating is an edge jump that takes off from a backward outside edge and lands on that same edge and same foot after one full rotation in the air. Unlike the flip or Lutz, it uses no toe pick — just clean edge control, checked shoulders, and a tight air position.

I’ve coached skaters through this jump from their very first wobbly edge holds all the way to landing it clean in combinations, and it never stops being one of my favorite things to teach. There’s something honest about the loop jump — no toe pick to lean on, no extra assist. It’s just you, your edge, and your control. That’s exactly why it matters so much for building the foundation everything else sits on.

The loop jump teaches outside-edge control and the back-facing air position skaters will use constantly — in their back spins, in their flip and Lutz landings, and later in combinations like toe loop-loop and flip-loop. If a skater’s loop is solid, a lot of other things get easier. If it’s shaky, that shakiness tends to show up everywhere else too.

In this guide, I’ll walk you through the entry, the takeoff, the landing, and exactly how I train this jump with my own skaters — step by step, drill by drill.

What Makes the Loop Jump Different From Other Jumps?

The loop jump is what we call an ‘edge jump’ — it takes off directly from a back outside edge, with no toe pick assist, and lands on that same foot and same edge. That’s the whole identity of the jump: pure edge work, no shortcuts.

Here’s how it compares to the other jumps skaters learn around the same stage:

Jump	Takeoff Edge	Toe Pick?	Landing Foot
Loop	Back outside edge	No	Same foot
Salchow	Back inside edge	No	Opposite foot
Flip	Back inside edge	Yes	Opposite foot
Lutz	Back outside edge (counter-rotated)	Yes	Opposite foot
Axel	Forward outside edge	No	Opposite foot, 1.5 rotations

Notice the loop is the only jump on this list where the skater lands on the exact same foot and edge they took off from. That’s part of what makes it feel different in the body — there’s no foot switch to hide behind. Your entry edge has to be right, because you’re going to land right back on it.

This is also exactly why I usually introduce the loop jump early in a skater’s single-jump progression, right after the waltz jump and Salchow. It builds the outside-edge trust and the tight, back-facing air position that every jump after it depends on. Skip the loop, or rush through it, and you’ll usually see the gaps show up later in flip, Lutz, or loop-based combinations.

The Loop Jump Entry — Why It’s Different (and Why It Matters)

The loop jump entry is unique because it requires no three-turn or mohawk right at the moment of takeoff — just a clean, controlled backward outside edge. That’s different from the flip and Lutz, which both need a toe pick and an edge setup right at the jumping instant.

Skaters get onto that back outside edge a couple of common ways. Beginners often use an inside three-turn to get onto a back inside edge on the non-jumping foot, then reach onto the back outside edge of the jumping foot as the free foot crosses in front. More advanced skaters often skip that setup entirely and build speed straight from back crossovers into the takeoff edge.

Either way, here’s the truth I repeat constantly at the boards: your entry edge sets your axis, your lean, and your weight placement for the entire jump. Almost every loop jump problem I diagnose traces back to something happening in those two or three seconds before takeoff — not in the air.

How the Loop Jump Entry Differs From Lutz and Flip

Lutz and flip both need toe pick assist plus an edge change or three-turn happening right at takeoff. The loop needs none of that.

The loop relies purely on edge pressure and checked shoulders. No toe assist, no edge change, no last-second correction. That simplicity is exactly what makes it such a good teaching jump — and also why sloppy edges get exposed immediately.

How to Do a Loop Jump — Step-by-Step Entry Technique

Building the Approach

For a beginner entry, I like this pattern: inside three-turn onto the back inside edge of the non-jumping foot, then reach onto the back outside edge of the jumping foot as the free foot crosses in front.

For a more advanced entry, skaters build speed through a series of back crossovers, flowing directly into that back outside edge without the three-turn setup.

Whichever pattern you use, pick one and repeat it the same way every single time. Timing on the loop jump becomes automatic through repetition — not through improvising a new entry each attempt.

Edge, Lean, and Weight Placement

The takeoff edge has to be a clear, curved back outside edge — not flat, and definitely not drifting onto the inside edge. If you’re not sure which edge you’re on, that uncertainty is your answer: it’s probably not clean yet.

The lean is controlled and directed into the circle, with the body stacked squarely over the skating foot. Weight sits over the middle of the blade — not jammed forward onto the toe pick, not hanging back on the heel.

I also want to see a deep knee bend on the skating leg here — almost a sitting position. That bend is where the power for the jump actually comes from.

Arm and Shoulder Position (The ‘Check’)

The shoulders face into the circle, resisting the direction of travel. This is the ‘check,’ and it’s the single most important thing storing rotational energy for the jump.

Arms stay in a controlled, slightly open position — not flung back, not swinging around. The torso stays tall and stretched, head neutral, eyes forward. Skaters who look down at the ice here almost always lose their check early.

Hip, Knee, and Free Leg Position

Hips stay square over the skating foot — not twisted open toward the direction of rotation. That twist is one of the sneakiest technical errors because it feels natural but kills the check completely.

The free leg crosses in front while still on the ice, similar to a back spin position, or extends behind depending on which entry style you’re training. Either way, the free leg stays quiet and controlled. No wild swinging — that swing usually pulls the skater off axis before they’ve even left the ice.

Common Loop Jump Entry Mistakes and Fixes

• Two-footed prep that never truly lifts the free foot. This gets flagged as incorrect technique. Fix it by drilling the moment the free foot lifts earlier in the glide, so it’s clearly off the ice before takeoff.
• Flat or inside edge instead of a true outside edge. Fix it with slow-speed edge holds, no jumping, just feeling the true curve of the outside edge under your blade.
• Shoulders not checked, upper body twisting early. Fix it with pause-and-hold drills — get into the checked position, freeze there, and only then add rotation.
• Hips open, free leg swinging. Fix it by holding the crossed free-leg position statically first, without any jump attached, until it feels stable.
• Weight too far back. This causes that classic slide-out ‘whoop’ fall. Fix it by checking your weight placement over the middle of the blade during edge holds, before adding speed.

The Takeoff and Rotation

At the moment of takeoff, the free foot lifts, the skating leg springs up off the edge while still following the curve of the entry, and the checked shoulders release to create rotation. That release — not a big arm swing — is what actually spins you.

My favorite cue here: jump off the edge, not off a step. If you find yourself stomping down to launch, you’ve lost the edge quality that should be doing the work for you.

In the air, the position looks a lot like a back spin — legs crossed, arms pulled in close to the body, core stacked tall. Skaters who already trust their back spin position usually pick up the loop air position faster, because it’s the same shape they’ve already built.

Staying centered means preserving the line of your entry edge all the way through takeoff. Avoid opening the shoulders early or twisting away from the circle, and keep the head and eyes steady — no snapping the head around to ‘help’ the rotation.

If you notice you’re traveling a lot across the ice during the rotation, that’s a signal. It usually means the axis isn’t lined up with the edge, or the shoulders released too early before the jump was fully loaded.

The Landing — What a Clean Loop Jump Looks Like

A clean loop jump lands on the same back outside edge, on the same foot, traveling backward. The free leg extends behind in a controlled line, shoulders stay level, back stays straight, posture stays tall.

There’s a clear check on landing that stops the rotation and sets you up for the exit. The edge continues that same outside curve, weight stays centered, and the knee bends slightly to absorb the landing. Avoid letting that landing edge collapse flat or roll onto the inside — that’s usually where wobbles start.

Common Landing Problems and Their Causes

• Under-rotation. Usually traces back to a weak entry edge, a late shoulder release, or an air position that’s too open instead of tight.
• Falls forward or backward. Often an axis tilt happening in the air, or weight sitting too far forward or back at the moment of landing.
• Wobbles or step-outs. Typically caused by landing on a flat or unstable edge, or over-rotating past that checked landing position.

Setting Up the Exit

The checked upper body and controlled free leg position let you flow directly into backward stroking, crossovers, or a connecting step. This matters even more in combinations — think flip-loop or toe loop-loop — where the loop’s landing has to instantly become a clean, controlled takeoff for the next jump.

How Do You Train and Progress the Loop Jump?

When Skaters Are Typically Ready

Most of my skaters are introduced to the loop after they’ve shown consistency with the waltz jump and Salchow, plus a stable back spin. The loop is one of the earlier jumps that requires landing on the same foot you took off from, which is exactly the skill combinations will demand later.

On-Ice Drills That Build Loop Jump Readiness

• Deep edge holds. Skate the entry, sit into the deep outside edge without jumping, hold the tight circle, then exit. This builds real edge control and, honestly, real confidence.
• Pivot and small hops. Pivot forward onto the outside edge and hop with minimal rotation, just to feel how edge pressure alone creates lift.
• Back spin position drills. Practice the crossed-leg, tight-arm shape off the jump entirely, to reinforce the exact air position you’ll need.
• Entry repetitions without jumping. Repeat the three-turn-to-edge or crossovers-to-edge pattern over and over, conditioning the timing and posture before adding rotation at all.

Step-by-Step Progression

1. Static position — stationary back outside edge, crossed free foot, deep knee bend.
2. Moving edge — gliding on the loop entry edge, holding the checked shoulder position.
3. Small hops — mini jumps off the edge with minimal rotation.
4. Half loops — partial rotation to feel takeoff and landing alignment.
5. Full single loop — one complete rotation, landing back on the same back outside edge.

I coach through my coaching background and approach built around exactly this kind of progression — slow, layered, and specific, rather than throwing skaters at full attempts before the fundamentals are ready.

Troubleshooting a Plateau

If a skater plateaus on the loop, I go back to basics before adding more attempts. Re-check the entry edge quality and lean, the shoulder and hip alignment, and how tight the air position really is. Returning to edge drills and back spin work almost always restores consistency faster than just repeating full jumps over and over hoping something clicks.

A Coach’s Perspective — Building Confidence on the Loop Jump

The loop is often a skater’s first fully committed rotation on a pure outside edge, and I’ve watched plenty of kids get a little intimidated by that. There’s no toe pick to catch you, no edge change to hide behind — it can feel exposed.

What I try to remind skaters and parents both: the loop isn’t some brand-new skill out of nowhere. It’s an extension of things the skater already trusts — their back spin shape, their edge control from stroking and crossovers. We’re not building from zero. We’re connecting dots that are already there.

I break down the fear with small, honest progressions — barrier-supported edge holds, half-rotation hops before we ever try a full single, slow-speed entries long before full-speed attempts. And I celebrate the small technical wins along the way. A well-held edge, a tight air position held for even a beat, a checked shoulder position that didn’t collapse — those count, even before the full rotation shows up.

Quality attempts matter more than quantity here. Loop timing and edge trust build over weeks and months, not a single practice. That’s normal, that’s expected, and honestly, it’s part of what makes landing it feel so good when it finally clicks.

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the difference between a loop jump and a Salchow?

The loop takes off from a back outside edge and lands on the same foot. The Salchow takes off from a back inside edge, typically landing on the opposite foot, with the free leg swinging through to help create rotation. Edge type and which foot lands are the key differences.

Why is my loop jump entry sloppy?

Usually one of a few culprits: the edge isn’t clearly outside and is drifting flat or inside, the shoulders aren’t checked before takeoff, the free leg is swinging instead of staying controlled, or the weight is misplaced on the blade. Cleaning up edge holds and the checked shoulder position usually fixes it.

How long does it usually take to land a clean loop jump?

It depends on a skater’s existing edge skills, back spin control, and how consistently they drill the entry. Many skaters need weeks to months of regular, focused practice before the loop feels reliable — that gradual timeline is completely normal and not a sign anything’s wrong.

Can I do a loop jump if I can’t do other jumps yet?

Most programs introduce the loop after a skater has basic single jumps, like the waltz jump or Salchow, and a stable back spin. Entry drills and edge holds can absolutely start earlier, but the full jump usually comes once those foundational skills are solid.

What should I focus on if my loop jumps are under-rotating?

Check three things first: a solid back outside edge with enough speed and lean going into takeoff, a shoulder check that’s held long enough before it releases, and an air position that’s genuinely tight — legs crossed, arms in close — rather than open or loose. Under-rotation almost always traces back to one of those three.