Skater Jumps

Setup & Positioning

• Stand with feet hip-width apart, knees slightly bent, and core engaged.
• Shift your weight to one foot, letting the opposite leg hover slightly behind you.
• Arms are relaxed and ready to swing for momentum.

Key point: “Think of skating side-to-side—jump far enough to challenge balance, but land with control.”

Execution

1. Push off the standing leg to jump sideways, landing on the opposite foot.
2. As you land, let the free leg sweep behind you without touching the ground if possible.
3. Keep your chest tall, hips back, and knee softly bent to absorb impact.
4. Immediately push off in the opposite direction for the next jump.

Where You Should Feel It

• Glutes and outer hips generating lateral power
• Quads and hamstrings absorbing each landing
• Core stabilizing the torso against side-to-side sway

Where You Shouldn’t Feel It

• Sharp knee pain from letting the knee cave inward
• Lower back strain from leaning or twisting excessively
• Ankle discomfort from stiff or uneven landings

Breathing

"Exhale as you push off, inhale as you land and stabilize."

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Landing stiff-legged – Always absorb impact with a soft knee bend.
2. Knees collapsing inward – Keep knee tracking over toes.
3. Short, choppy hops – Aim for a controlled but challenging lateral distance.
4. Letting the trail foot drag or catch – Keep it elevated for better balance work.