Three questions, one answer
Ask these in order while they set up — you'll have the jump named before they land.
1 · Are they facing forward at takeoff?
Yes → it's an Axel. Done. (Everything else takes off backward.)
2 · Does a toe pick stab the ice behind them?
Yes → toe jump: Toe Loop, Flip, or Lutz. No → edge jump: Salchow or Loop.
3 · Which foot is gliding, and on which edge?
Toe jumps — right foot gliding = Toe Loop; left inside edge = Flip; long straight glide on a left outside edge = Lutz. Edge jumps — left inside edge + leg sweep = Salchow; right outside edge, feet crossed = Loop.
Toe jumps
Vaulted off the free foot's toe pick striking the ice.
Toe Loop
Glide: right back outside
Pick: left toe
Entered from a forward turn onto a right back outside edge. The left leg reaches back and the left toe pick strikes.
Key ID — The only toe jump where the left pick strikes. Often the easiest jump, so it's the go-to second jump in combinations.
Flip
Glide: left back inside
Pick: right toe
Entered from a forward turn (usually a three-turn or mohawk) onto a left back inside edge. The right toe pick strikes to vault.
Key ID — Turn-then-jump rhythm: the turn happens right before the pick, unlike the Lutz's long glide.
Lutz
Glide: left back outside
Pick: right toe
Entered from a long, straight glide — often from the corner of the rink — leaning into a deep left back outside edge. Counter-rotational: the edge curves one way, the jump rotates the other. The right toe pick strikes.
Key ID — That long, telegraphed backward glide across the rink is the giveaway. If the edge flattens or rolls inside before takeoff, that's the dreaded "flutz."
Edge jumps
No pick — pure knee bend, edge pressure, and weight transfer.
Salchow
Takeoff: left back inside
Entered from a turn onto a left back inside edge. A distinct sweeping motion of the free leg — both blades briefly on the ice forming a "triangle shape" — before launching off the left blade.
Key ID — Watch for the wide free-leg sweep. It looks like the skater scoops themselves into the air.
Loop (Rittberger)
Takeoff: right back outside
Entered from a turn onto a right back outside edge. The left leg crosses closely in front of the right, and the jump launches directly from the right blade.
Key ID — The crossed-feet, "sitting into it" position at takeoff. Takes off and lands on the same foot.
Axel
Takeoff: left forward outside
The only forward-takeoff jump. The skater checks over the left shoulder, steps forward onto a deep left forward outside edge, draws the arms back, and launches.
Key ID — Forward takeoff + backward landing = an extra half rotation. A "double Axel" is really 2½ turns, which is why it's scored a tier harder.
Euler (Half-Loop)
Takeoff: right back outside
Lands: left back inside
The connector. Takes off exactly like a Loop but rotates once and lands on the left back inside edge — the perfect setup for an immediate Salchow or Flip in a three-jump combination.
Key ID — Only ever seen mid-combination, and it lands on the "wrong" foot compared to every other jump.
Rotation cheat table
Spins at a glance
Named by body position, not entry edge — much easier to call than jumps.
Upright
Standing tall on one leg. Variants: the scratch spin (arms and free leg pull in for blur speed) and the Biellmann (free leg pulled overhead from behind, blade above the head).
Sit spin
Skating knee bent so deep the hips drop below the knee, free leg extended forward. Looks like spinning in a one-legged squat.
Camel spin
Body in a "T": torso and free leg horizontal, like an arabesque on a turntable.
Layback
Upright spin with the back arched and head dropped backward, free leg trailing. A signature ladies'-event image.
Flying spins
Any spin entered with a jump — most commonly the flying camel and flying sit. Watch for the leap directly into position with no standing setup.