axel

An axel is a maneuver in figure skating. The skater leaps from the front outside edge of one skate, rotates 1 ½ times, and lands on the rear outside edge of the other skate.

The axel, also known as the axel jump, is considered the most difficult of the six jumps in figure skating. A tripleaxel, where a skater rotates 3 ½ times, has a starting value of 8 points at the Olympics, compared to the 3.3 points given for a double (2 ½ rotations) axel.

Example: The judges were impressed by the skater’s axel and her perfect landing after completing the spin.

The first records of the term axel come from the 1920s. The jump is named after Norwegian figure skater Axel Paulsen, who introduced the maneuver to figure skating in 1882.

The blade of an ice skate has two edges. To perform an axel, the skater must leap from the outer edge of one skate to the outer edge of the other.

The axel is the only jump in figure skating done while facing forward. The fact that a skater has to land backwards on the opposite foot is part of what makes the move so difficult. Adding spins to create the double and triple axel amplifies the move’s difficulty, and the triple axel is the highest scoring triple jump in Olympic figure skating because it is so difficult to perform.

Today, the axel is a staple of figure skating and the move must be performed successfully as part of an Olympic routine. The triple axel has become part of many of the top men’s figure skater routines.

What are some words that share a root or word element with axel? 

• Axel
• double axel
• triple axel
• quadruple axel

What are some words that often get used in discussing axel?

• jump
• figure skating
• toe loop
• loop
• salchow
• flip
• lutz
• Olympics

What are some words axel may be commonly confused with?

• axle

Axel is almost always used when talking about or comparing things to figure skating. It is especially common to see it used by fans during the Olympics.

Huge congratulations to Wakaba Higuchi 2020 Worlds Champion and her triple axel

— wakaba? wakaba (@xogwendalsflow) March 11, 2020

you know that moment before the ice skaters do the axel jump? it gives me chills everytime i love it

— h*y (@ADAMPARR1SH) November 15, 2018

I remember back in elementary school, my skating coach really asked if I wanted to attempt a double flip when I didn’t even have my lutz or axel yet 😂😂😂😅💀

— Air Fork Mot 👟 (@buffypoto) January 12, 2020

True or False?

When performed correctly, a figure skater will begin an axel facing backwards and land facing forwards.