Salchow jump

The Salchow is a figure skating jump with a takeoff from a back inside edge of one foot. The rotation in the air is made in the direction of the curve of the take-off edge. The landing is made on the back outside edge of the foot opposite the one used for take-off. One or more rotations may be made in the air. It was invented by the Swedish skater Ulrich Salchow in 1909.

Technique

The Salchow is normally approached from a forward outside 3-turn on the left foot for a counterclockwise jump. On the left back inside edge after the 3-turn, the skater checks the rotation momentarily with the right foot extended behind and then initiates the jump by swinging the right leg forward and around with a wide, scooping motion. The rotational momentum for the jump is gained by the swinging movement of the free leg and the coordination of the free leg and arms at the point of takeoff.

The Salchow can alternately be entered from an inside mohawk turn or from back crossovers. As an edge jump, it is usually performed on a circular pattern instead of from a straight-line approach.