Ok Im pretty sure I speak for a lot of people when I say that the Axel is the hardest of all elements to learn.... it takes ages to get it right...

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The axel, definitely. Not sure what you mean by "basics" but an axel is the jump that separates the low FS skaters from intermediates, in my experience. it is the stumbling block that many never overcome.

If you want true "beginning" (group lesson-type) skills, I think getting ppl to stroke properly is the most difficult. I say this b/c even more advanced skaters can often benefit from practicing stroking. Beginners tend to toe-push and not bring their feet together.

Kay

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From the way the first post was worded (about the difficult of learning basics when you are just starting out), I don't really consider an axel one of the basics. It is a more advanced move. Yes, it's basic in comparison to a quad. But to me, the basics are the things you need before you can do any jumping: forward and backward stroking, cross-cuts, turning from forwards to backwards, stopping.

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Axel. It's a whole new world for jumping. A barrier I have yet to cross.

definatly axel, it's such a huge transition, the next biggie is the double axel, but by then you know what it's all about

Just doing things like three turns on either foot can be hard to master for some people.....because of a lot of people have just developed their own characteristic of being used to turning on a side that they're most comfortable with. The same goes with cross-overs going clockwise or anti-clockwise. etc

For beginners, definately crossovers. Not so much backwards crossovers, but definately forwards crossovers. Just getting down the correct technique. Ohh, and anything to do with edges: 3 turns, patterns. Just mastering the control with bending the knees and you arms having to be in the right position. But yeah, they are the two most hardest things to master as a beginner, beginner.