If you have been a dancer for any length of time, especially a modern dancer then you have probably heard of axel jumps or axel turning jumps.
What exactly are they and how do you execute them neatly?
Here is a visual of axel jumps in the form of a video.
This is a preparation for an axel-turning hop.
The normal hop is one foot placed to passé, while the other leg points straight down to the floor with the feet well stretched. The hop will travel upwards only.
It is a good idea to first be very secure in the details and execution of a normal hop before working to pick up the bottom leg, as this requires more upper-body stability and strength.
The dancer can practice first at the barre and then with partners. Two partners on either side, supporting arms and under the shoulder joint, assist in holding the dancer long enough so that they can manage to lift and lower the leg in enough time.
Upper body posture: Make sure you are not letting the tucking motion of your leg carry into your upper body (i.e. don’t let your shoulders drop to your knees or your lower back round out to increase the height in your tucked leg).
Aim to lift the leg to the chest to assist the final placing.
Hey a great post you have here!
I didn’t know this type of jump existed, I mean I have seen many of them being orchestrated even more so in hip hop genre however was unaware of what it was called. It is great to be reminded of this dance plus your step to step guide on how to perform it.
Thanks again and have a great day!
The article provides a clear and concise explanation of axel jumps, making it accessible to both novice and experienced dancers. The step-by-step instructions, along with the focus on proper technique and upper-body stability, offer valuable guidance for those looking to improve their skills. Additionally, the inclusion of tips for practicing at the barre and with partners shows a thoughtful approach to learning and safety. Overall, it’s a helpful resource for dancers seeking to refine their axel jumps.
I have an explicit question on the axel jump:
What muscles are primarily engaged when executing axel jumps, and how can dancers strengthen them for improved performance?
I am looking forward to your response!
Hi Matthias,
There are certainly a lot of muscles at play here and the dancer would need an overall strong body to perform these well. However, the feet need to be strong to push you off of the floor as well as all the quads and the gluts to get that explosive jump, not to mention those calves. So there are many exercises that dancers can work on to get their bodies stronger, not only for Axels, but all jumps and travelling steps.
The article offers a comprehensive explanation of Axel jumps, providing valuable insights into the technique and mechanics of this challenging dance move. The detailed description and advice for mastering the Axel make it a valuable resource for dancers looking to improve their skills.
To those who have tried the Axel jump, what has been the most challenging aspect of perfecting this intricate maneuver?
Thanks for stopping by Kiersti. I can’t speak for others, but in my experience, the hardest part is to get enough power to get off the floor and reach a good height. But this all boils down to how strong the dancer is.
This was a timely article for me because I have a 12 year old granddaughter who has been into dancing for about a year. Although I have seen her dance, we really have not discussed the different things that she does in her dance recitals other than comments like, “That jump was high” or “That spin was amazing.” Not only did this article and the video it offered helped me know about an axel jump, but I learned about a few other terms. I hope I can impress my grandaughter with this new found knowledge. This was a very informative article for me.
Glad I could help you improve your dance knowledge Anastazja, and here’s to forming an even closer bond with your granddaughter.