Switching from CCW to CW jumping

[sceptique]

Now I’m really confused!

I always assumed myself to be a CCW jumper and learned all jumps that way. But yesterday while I was working out off-ice doing simple alternating CCW/CW plyometric jumps, I notices that CW ones felt more… controlled? It felt as if I could make the same rotation with less effort.

The difference is really slight and I’m not sure I’m not imagining it. But I got really paranoid and tried all jumps I know both CCW and CW – I couldn’t see much difference, and I never ever practiced doing them clockwise! Well, landing on my right foot is more comfortable, but again, I used to practice it about 50 times every other day. I’m sure I could master left foot landing if I give it a bit of try.

Can it be that I have been jumping in my “unnatural” direction? I’m going to try CW jumps on ice to see how it feels, but is there any certain way to tell? It’s not yet too late for me to switch, but I’m not sure it’s worth it. Totally confused…..
:??

[NickiT]

If you are doing fine jumping the way you do, then I wouldn't switch. I think it's actually quite common to find off-ice jumping easier the other way round. I know I find that to be the case as do some of the other skaters at my rink. I don't know why though and I can understand why you feel confused.

I even started spinning CW after years of struggling to spin CCW, because I'm left-handed and my coach was willing to try anything. However I was then off the ice for months with a broken ankle and I just went back to spinning CCW. It turned out I was in boots too big and once I got fitted with the correct size I had no problems spinning!

Nicki

[sceptique]

If you are doing fine jumping the way you do, then I wouldn't switch. I think it's actually quite common to find off-ice jumping easier the other way round. I know I find that to be the case as do some of the other skaters at my rink. I don't know why though and I can understand why you feel confused.

I even started spinning CW after years of struggling to spin CCW, because I'm left-handed and my coach was willing to try anything. However I was then off the ice for months with a broken ankle and I just went back to spinning CCW. It turned out I was in boots too big and once I got fitted with the correct size I had no problems spinning!

Nicki

Thanks, Nicky! How's your hand?

On the other subject that you've mentioned: I've heard a few times already that too large boots are a problem for spins. I wonder if it's very typical, because I know that mine are a bit large (about 0.5 cm longer than I probably need, but the width is OK). I don't want to change them yet - they are perfectly fine in all other aspects, but can I do something to them - padding etc? I'd like to experiment a bit to see if it would affect my spins, which aren't too impressive at the moment.

[sarahyani]

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[NickiT]

Thanks, Nicky! How's your hand?

On the other subject that you've mentioned: I've heard a few times already that too large boots are a problem for spins. I wonder if it's very typical, because I know that mine are a bit large (about 0.5 cm longer than I probably need, but the width is OK). I don't want to change them yet - they are perfectly fine in all other aspects, but can I do something to them - padding etc? I'd like to experiment a bit to see if it would affect my spins, which aren't too impressive at the moment.


My hand/wrist is doing OK though having just unpacked my grocery delivery and used it a bit, I realise it is still not right as it hurt a bit. I go back for more x-rays tomorrow and will have a clearer picture of what is going on. Thanks for asking :) .

I do believe the size of your boot can severely affect your ability to spin. I bought Risports from the rink shop. They were not fitted so I just got the same size as my shoe size. I was naive and didn't know any better. Some years later I suffered the ankle injury and I found the boot really hurt where I have the screws in my ankle so took the boots to Les Westaway for punching out. He checked my boot size against my foot size and they were about an inch too long. Therefore the blades were too long too and my big toe was over the spinning part of the blade, not the ball of my foot as should be. He fitted me with the boots I have now and it was like a miracle...suddenly after years of struggling I could spin well. It was just due to the fact that the wrong part of my foot was over the spinning part of the blade. I guess if your boots are only a tiny bit too big, it won't be such a problem, but when people complain of spinning difficulty I often ask if the boots are the right size!

Nicki

[batikat]

I always assumed myself to be a CCW jumper and learned all jumps that way. But yesterday while I was working out off-ice doing simple alternating CCW/CW plyometric jumps, I notices that CW ones felt more… controlled? It felt as if I could make the same rotation with less effort.


:??

I found exactly the same thing and I think it is actually quite common. Tristan Cousins even had an explanation for why it seemed easier off-ice the 'wrong way' but I can't remember it now ;) Maybe something to do with trying harder!!!

Maybe it is similar to the fact that technically my LFI3 is much better (correct tracing on the ice, no scratching etc), than my RFI3 but I find the RFI3 much easier to do. I can always do a RFI3 even if sometimes it's a bit forced whereas the LF!3 scares the **** out of me!

It makes life much easier if you can jump and spin the same way so I'd agree with looking at which way you spin best to help you decide. Also if you find LF03's easier than RFO3's and RFI3's easier than LFI3's then the chances are you are CCW like most people. Which way would you do a two foot turn?

Of course if you genuinely find little difference on ice then maybe you are one of the lucky ones who can do jumps and spins in both directions equally.

My coach sometimes makes me do jumps on the opposite foot just becauae it then makes the 'correct' foot ones seem so much easier! :twisted:

[NaomiBeth1]

Now I’m really confused!
Can it be that I have been jumping in my “unnatural” direction? I’m going to try CW jumps on ice to see how it feels, but is there any certain way to tell? It’s not yet too late for me to switch, but I’m not sure it’s worth it. Totally confused…..
:??

I'm a righty in practically everything except skating. When I first started learning to skate, I was being taught to spin CCW. After many months of frustrating difficulty, out of curiosity, I tried spinning CW, and it was 1000 times easier. When it became time to learn jumps, I was naturally taught to land on my left leg. Coincidentally, my first 3-turn I was ever able to do was RFO, which I remember my coach thinking how odd that was as a righty. Now years later, I know it's because I'm 100% a lefty skater.

Regardless of which way you decide to spin, I think it's extremely important that both your spins and jumps revolve in the same direction. I'd give "lefty" skating a try on the ice, but if you don't find it immediately easier, I wouldn't bother trying to relearn everything.

[sceptique]

It makes life much easier if you can jump and spin the same way so I'd agree with looking at which way you spin best to help you decide. Also if you find LF03's easier than RFO3's and RFI3's easier than LFI3's then the chances are you are CCW like most people. Which way would you do a two foot turn?



Now it's even more weird.

Best moves:
Outside 3 - right
Inside 3 - right (significantly better than LFI)
Inside Open Mowhawk - left
Spiral - left
BO 1-foot glide - left


But I think you're right that this is just the off-ice thing. Spinning CW would feel really odd for me.

[sunshinepointe]

I'm a left handed girl, although I've always been fine with doing things either way for the most part...

I skate like a righty, and my friend who is a righty skates like a lefty. The really bizzare thing though is that when I learned my two foot spin I felt better spinning to the right, and I STILL do, can't do a two foot to the left very well to this day....but all my jumps and one foot spins and such are to the left.

My guess is that if you feel equally comfortable spinning to the left or right on ONE foot, thats your ticket to success. I was told in the past that if you CAN skate CCW you're better off...I was never given a reason why though. Maybe it's easier for coaches to teach CCW?

[dooobedooo]

Your jump landing leg has to be very strong, with good knee. Something about your list makes me think you should be taking off on your left leg, and landing on your right leg (ie. CCW).

The main problem with CW is that it makes it really hard to set up your jumps, because you will be jumping in the opposite direction to the flow of traffic. Imagine what a nightmare this is, even with say, a large high three-jump (waltz jump) along the short axis at the end of the rink. ie. if you are in a public session, on CW landing, your extended free right leg will be pointing bladewards towards the terrified faces of the innocent skating public (who are skating anti-clockwise around the rink). I've skated on ice with lower level CW skaters, and because no-one expects them to be jumping that way, other skaters don't make way - sometimes the coach has to stand in the middle of the ice and ask other skaters to keep clear. Even on fairly empty ice, sometimes the CW skater has to spend time warning other ice users that they are about to jump (the "wrong" way!).

Also, if you ever want to do pair or dance spins, you are far more likely to find a partner if you are a CCW skater. CW probably makes things harder for synchro skating too.

Unless you really CAN'T do CCW at all, I wouldn't even consider skating as a CW, although if you can spin in both directions, it can make a nice effect.

Have you tried the alternate 3-jump (waltz jump) exercise, where you travel along the long axis, alternating your directions for the jump? (ie. CW, a couple of crossovers, CCW, a couple of crossovers, repeat ... )