There are six main types of jumps in figure skating. These jumps form the foundation of competitive figure skating and are divided into two distinct categories: edge jumps and toe jumps. Understanding these six jumps will transform how you watch figure skating competitions and appreciate the athleticism on display.
The six figure skating jumps are the toe loop, Salchow, loop, flip, Lutz, and Axel. Skaters and coaches often abbreviate these as T, S, Lo, F, Lz, and A when discussing programs and training. Each jump has unique characteristics that make it identifiable to trained eyes.
I have spent years studying figure skating technique and watching competitions. My goal is to make this technical information accessible whether you are a casual viewer, a parent of a young skater, or someone just discovering the sport.
Table of Contents
The Two Categories of Figure Skating Jumps
Figure skating jumps fall into two categories based on how the skater launches into the air. Edge jumps use the blade’s edges to push off, while toe jumps use the toe pick at the front of the blade.
Edge Jumps
Edge jumps rely entirely on the skating blade’s edges to generate lift. The skater bends their knees and uses the spring from the edge to launch upward. There are three edge jumps in figure skating: the Salchow, the loop, and the Axel.
These jumps are generally considered more difficult to master because they require precise edge control and balance. The skater cannot rely on the toe pick for assistance, making proper technique essential.
Toe Jumps
Toe jumps use the toe pick to assist with the takeoff. The skater plants the toe pick into the ice and uses it as a pivot point to launch into the air. There are three toe jumps: the toe loop, the flip, and the Lutz.
The toe pick provides additional stability and assistive force, making these jumps somewhat easier to execute for most skaters. However, the Lutz remains one of the hardest jumps due to its counterrotational nature.
Understanding Edge Terminology
Before diving into individual jumps, you need to understand basic edge terminology. Figure skate blades have two edges: the inside edge and the outside edge.
The inside edge is the edge of the blade closest to the center of the body when skating. The outside edge is the edge farthest from the body’s center. Most skaters rotate counterclockwise, so they take off from the left foot and land on the right foot. A small percentage of skaters rotate clockwise, reversing these positions.
A backward outside edge means the skater is traveling backward on the outside edge of their blade. A backward inside edge means traveling backward on the inside edge. The Axel is unique because it takes off from a forward outside edge.
How Many Types of Jumps Are There in Figure Skating: The Complete Breakdown
Now let us examine each of the six jumps in detail. I will explain how each jump works, what makes it unique, and how to identify it when watching competitions.
The Toe Loop
The toe loop is the simplest and most basic jump in figure skating. It is typically the first jump young skaters learn after mastering the waltz jump.
The skater takes off from the back outside edge of their right foot while planting the left toe pick into the ice for assistance. This creates a stable pivot point that helps generate rotation. The skater rotates in the air and lands backward on the right back outside edge.
Because the toe loop takes off and lands on the same edge, it feels natural and balanced. You can identify a toe loop by watching for the toe pick assist on the same side as the takeoff foot. The skater reaches the free leg across the body to plant the toe pick.
In competition, toe loops often appear as the second or third jump in combinations. The base value for a single toe loop is 0.40 points under the current ISU judging system.
The Salchow
The Salchow is the first edge jump that most skaters learn. It is named after Ulrich Salchow, a Swedish skater who won ten World Championships in the early 1900s.
The skater takes off from the left back inside edge and swings the right leg forward and around to generate rotation. Unlike toe jumps, there is no toe pick assist. The skater lands on the right back outside edge.
You can identify a Salchow by watching for the swinging free leg motion. The skater swings the free leg forward in a wide arc before bringing it through to assist with the rotation. This swing is the key visual cue.
The Salchow has a base value of 0.40 points for a single rotation, matching the toe loop. However, most skaters find the Salchow slightly harder because it requires pure edge technique without toe pick assistance.
The Loop
The loop is an edge jump that takes off from the right back outside edge. It is sometimes called the Rittberger in Europe, named after German skater Werner Rittberger who popularized it in the early 20th century.
The skater takes off and lands on the same edge: the right back outside edge. There is no toe pick assist and no change of edge during takeoff. The skater pulls the arms and free leg in tight to generate rotation.
Identifying a loop can be tricky because there is no obvious visual cue like a swing or toe pick plant. Look for a skater launching directly upward from a backward glide on the right foot. The jump has a compact, efficient appearance.
The loop has a base value of 0.50 points for a single rotation. Many skaters consider the loop harder than the toe loop or Salchow because of the edge control required for takeoff and landing on the same edge.
The Flip
The flip is a toe jump that marks the transition into advanced jumping technique. It requires precise timing and edge control combined with toe pick assistance.
The skater takes off from the left back inside edge while planting the right toe pick into the ice. This is different from the toe loop, where the toe pick is on the same side as the takeoff foot. For the flip, the toe pick is on the opposite foot from the takeoff edge.
You can identify a flip by watching for the toe pick plant from the free foot while the skater is on a deep inside edge. The skater approaches the jump on a left back inside edge curve, then reaches back with the right foot to plant the toe pick.
The flip has a base value of 0.50 points for a single rotation. It shares this value with the loop, though most skaters find the flip more challenging due to the coordination required between edge and toe pick.
The Lutz
The Lutz is considered by many to be the hardest toe jump and second only to the Axel in overall difficulty. It is named after Alois Lutz, an Austrian skater who invented the jump in the early 20th century.
The Lutz is unique because it is a counterrotational jump. The skater takes off from the left back outside edge while planting the right toe pick. The approach edge curves in the opposite direction from the rotation in the air.
Watch for a long, deep glide on a left back outside edge that curves to the left (for counterclockwise jumpers). The skater then reaches back with the right foot to plant the toe pick while maintaining that outside edge. This counterrotational tension creates the hardest takeoff of any toe jump.
The Lutz has a base value of 0.60 points for a single rotation. This higher value reflects its greater difficulty. Elite skaters perform triple and quadruple Lutzes worth 11.50 and 13.60 points respectively.
A common error called the flutz occurs when a skater rolls from the outside edge to the inside edge during takeoff. This transforms the Lutz into a flip, which is easier but receives lower base value and may incur a wrong edge call from judges.
The Axel
The Axel is the most difficult and prestigious jump in figure skating. Named after Norwegian skater Axel Paulsen, who first performed it in 1882, it remains the benchmark for jumping excellence nearly 150 years later.
The Axel is the only jump that takes off forward. The skater enters on a left forward outside edge, swings the right leg through, and launches into the air. Because of the forward takeoff, the Axel requires an extra half rotation to land backward.
A single Axel is actually 1.5 rotations. A double Axel is 2.5 rotations. A triple Axel is 3.5 rotations. This extra half rotation makes the Axel significantly harder than other jumps at the same rotation level.
You can identify an Axel by watching for the forward approach. The skater glides forward on the left foot, swinging the right leg forward in a wide arc before bringing it through to assist the takeoff. The forward motion is unmistakable once you know what to look for.
The base value for a single Axel is 1.10 points, more than double the toe loop or Salchow. A triple Axel is worth 8.80 points, and the quadruple Axel, first landed in competition by Ilia Malinin in 2022, is worth 12.50 points.
The quadruple Axel represents the current frontier of figure skating jumping. Only one skater has ever landed one in competition, making it the rarest and most valuable element in the sport.
Figure Skating Jumps in Order of Difficulty
Understanding the relative difficulty of each jump helps you appreciate what you are watching during competitions. Here is the generally accepted order from easiest to hardest.
The toe loop ranks as the easiest jump due to its toe pick assist and same-edge takeoff and landing. The Salchow comes next as the easiest edge jump, though some skaters find it harder than the toe loop. The loop follows, requiring precise edge control without toe pick assistance.
The flip marks the beginning of advanced jumps, combining inside edge technique with opposite-foot toe pick timing. The Lutz is harder still due to its counterrotational nature and outside edge maintenance. The Axel stands alone as the most difficult due to its forward takeoff and extra half rotation.
Individual skaters may rank these differently based on their strengths. Some skaters have excellent edge jumps but struggle with toe jumps, or vice versa. However, the base values assigned by the ISU generally follow this difficulty ranking.
Base Value Comparison Table
| Jump | Single | Double | Triple | Quadruple |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Toe Loop | 0.40 | 1.30 | 4.20 | 9.50 |
| Salchow | 0.40 | 1.30 | 4.30 | 9.70 |
| Loop | 0.50 | 1.70 | 5.10 | 10.50 |
| Flip | 0.50 | 1.80 | 5.30 | 11.00 |
| Lutz | 0.60 | 2.10 | 11.50 | 13.60 |
| Axel | 1.10 | 3.30 | 8.80 | 12.50 |
The point values increase dramatically with rotation level. A quadruple Lutz is worth more than thirty times a single toe loop. This is why elite skaters focus heavily on quadruple jumps in their training.
Jump Rotations: Singles, Doubles, Triples, and Quads
Each of the six jumps can be performed with different amounts of rotation. The rotation level dramatically affects both the difficulty and the point value.
A single jump completes one full rotation in the air. Singles are typically performed by beginner and intermediate skaters learning proper technique. A double jump completes two full rotations and is the standard for competitive skating at lower levels.
Triple jumps complete three full rotations and are essential for senior-level competition. Most elite women perform two or three different triple jumps in their programs. Elite men typically perform four to six different triple or quadruple jumps.
Quadruple jumps complete four full rotations and represent the current maximum in competitive skating. As of 2026, men regularly perform quadruple toe loops, Salchows, loops, flips, and Lutzes. The quadruple Axel remains extremely rare, having been landed in competition only a handful of times.
Women are increasingly incorporating quadruple jumps as well. Several skaters have landed quadruple toe loops, Salchows, and Lutzes in competition. The progression of women’s jumping has accelerated dramatically in recent years.
Common Jump Errors and How to Spot Them In 2026?
Even elite skaters make technical errors on jumps. Understanding these errors will make you a more informed viewer and help you appreciate the difficulty of clean execution.
The Flutz
The flutz is the most commonly discussed error in figure skating. It occurs when a skater attempts a Lutz but rolls from the outside edge to the inside edge during takeoff. This effectively turns the Lutz into a flip, which is easier and worth fewer points.
Judges watch for flutzes and may issue a wrong edge call that reduces the jump’s base value. Severe flutzes can be downgraded to flips entirely. Spotting a flutz requires watching the takeoff edge carefully. If the skater is not on a clear outside edge, they may be flutzing.
The Lip
The lip is the opposite error: a flip taken off from an outside edge instead of the correct inside edge. This transforms a flip into something resembling a Lutz but without the counterrotational approach. Lips are less common than flutzes but still occur.
Judges also watch for lips and may issue wrong edge calls. The error is harder to spot because it looks similar to a correctly executed flip to casual viewers.
Underrotation
Underrotation occurs when a skater does not complete the full rotation in the air before landing. The ISU allows a small margin of error, but significant underrotations result in downgrades. A triple jump that is underrotated may be scored as a double.
You can spot underrotation by watching the landing. If the skater lands significantly forward or has to hop or turn on the ice to complete the rotation, the jump was likely underrotated. The technical panel reviews slow-motion video to make these determinations.
Jump Combinations and Sequences
Competitive programs require skaters to perform jumps in combination and sequence. Understanding these elements helps you follow the technical requirements during competitions.
A jump combination consists of two or more jumps performed consecutively with no steps or turns between them. The landing of one jump becomes the takeoff of the next. Common combinations include toe loop-double toe loop, Lutz-loop, and flip-Euler-Salchow.
A jump sequence allows steps and turns between jumps. The skater must maintain movement flow without stopping. Sequences are worth less than combinations but allow more creative freedom in program construction.
The Euler, also called the half-loop, is a single-rotation jump used primarily as a connector in combinations. It takes off from a back outside edge and lands on the opposite foot’s back inside edge. This foot change allows skaters to enter a Salchow or flip from a different starting position.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the 6 figure skating jumps?
The six figure skating jumps are the toe loop, Salchow, loop, flip, Lutz, and Axel. These are divided into two categories: edge jumps (Salchow, loop, Axel) and toe jumps (toe loop, flip, Lutz). Each jump has distinct takeoff edges and techniques that make it unique.
Which is harder, Axel or Lutz?
The Axel is harder than the Lutz. While both are difficult jumps, the Axel requires a forward takeoff and an extra half rotation, making it uniquely challenging. The Lutz is the hardest toe jump due to its counterrotational nature, but the Axel remains the most difficult jump overall in figure skating.
What is the hardest jump in figure skating?
The quadruple Axel is the hardest jump in figure skating. First landed in competition by Ilia Malinin in 2022, it requires 4.5 rotations from a forward takeoff. The triple Axel is the hardest triple jump and the only triple that requires more than three rotations.
What are the 7 figure skating jumps?
There are officially six main jumps in figure skating. Some people refer to seven jumps by including the Euler (half-loop), which is a single-rotation jump used primarily as a connecting element between jumps in combinations. The Euler is not typically counted as a main competition jump.
What is the easiest figure skating jump?
The toe loop is generally considered the easiest figure skating jump. It uses a toe pick assist and takes off and lands on the same edge, making it stable and straightforward for beginners to learn. The Salchow is typically the first edge jump skaters learn after the toe loop.
How can I tell figure skating jumps apart when watching?
Look for these key identifiers: toe loop uses a same-side toe pick assist; Salchow has a swinging free leg; loop is compact with no swing; flip uses opposite-foot toe pick from inside edge; Lutz has a long outside edge curve before takeoff; Axel is the only jump with a forward approach. Watching slow-motion replays helps learn these visual cues.
Conclusion
How many types of jumps are there in figure skating? The answer is six: toe loop, Salchow, loop, flip, Lutz, and Axel. These six jumps, divided into edge jumps and toe jumps, form the complete vocabulary of figure skating jumping technique.
Understanding these jumps transforms your viewing experience. You will recognize the difficulty of a clean triple Axel, appreciate the technical precision of a counterrotational Lutz, and spot common errors like flutzes and underrotations. The knowledge you have gained puts you ahead of most casual viewers.
Watch competitions with this guide in mind. Notice how skaters construct their programs around their strongest jumps. Appreciate the progression from the basic toe loop to the legendary quadruple Axel. Figure skating is a sport of precision, power, and grace, and the six jumps are the foundation of it all.