Okay, so I’ve been obsessed with figure skating lately, and the quad jump? Forget about it. It’s insane! I decided, maybe a little too ambitiously, that I was going to try and, you know, understand how it works. Not actually do it, obviously. I’m not a superhero.
First, I watched a ton of videos. Like, hours of slow-motion footage of skaters doing quads. I focused on the setup, the way they approached the jump, the position of their arms and legs, everything.
My “Practice” (on solid ground, of course)
- The Approach: I tried to mimic the speed and the curve they take leading up to the jump. I quickly realized how much speed and power, those skaters generate. I couldn’t have the real speed just on a floor.
- The Takeoff: This is where it gets crazy. I practiced the motion of bringing my arms in tight and using my legs to spring upwards, also imagined that I am on the ice at the same time. It’s all about that explosive power, but I just nearly tripped, several times.
- The Rotation: Okay, this is where I just had to use my imagination. Four rotations in the air? I spun around in my living room, trying to get a feel for the speed and the tight core needed to stay centered. I got dizzy after, like, two rotations. Max.
- The Landing: I practiced bending my knees and absorbing the (imaginary) impact. I think my downstairs neighbors hate me now, because that floor is thin, and I stomp on it all the time during the process.
After all this “practice,” I have a newfound respect for figure skaters. It’s not just athletic ability; it’s physics, body awareness, and a whole lot of guts. I’m definitely sticking to watching the pros from now on, and maybe trying a single spin on the floor… slowly.