My daughter's loop jump is her weakest — what drills help?

The loop jump is deceptively tricky because it requires both entry control and a strong edge awareness. Since it's built on a back outside edge, many skaters either lose that edge mid-jump or rush the takeoff—and that kills the rotation.

Here's what I'd focus on first: three-turn to loop progressions on a straight line. Have your daughter practice a clean three-turn on the boards, pause for a full second on that back outside edge, then hop into the loop. This builds the muscle memory for holding the edge before launch, which is where most loop attempts fall apart. Do this at least twice per week, even just five minutes.

Once she's comfortable with that, move to actual jump entry—but practice it at 75% effort. A sloppy approach followed by a cautious loop teaches better habits than a desperate, full-speed attempt that confirms bad timing. At Pre-Preliminary and Preliminary levels especially, consistency beats height every single time.

Also watch her free leg position as she lands. If it's swinging forward, she's losing balance on the exit, which means the jump itself probably wasn't solid.

Want to see this in your child's skating? SkateMarks analyzes every jump with per-second AI coaching notes.