What is the difference between a Flip and a Lutz?

Flip and Lutz are the most commonly confused pair in figure skating, because they look almost identical to a non-coach watching. For a CCW skater:

| | Flip | Lutz |
|---|---|---|
| Skating direction | Backward | Backward |
| Takeoff edge | Left back INSIDE edge | Left back OUTSIDE edge |
| Toe pick | Right toe pick | Right toe pick |
| Body rotation tendency | Natural — body wants to rotate INTO inside edge | Counter-rotation — body must resist rotating against the outside edge |
| Common entry | Out of a three-turn (which produces an inside edge) | Long straight glide on outside edge with no rotation |
| Landing | Right back outside edge | Right back outside edge |

Why the Lutz is harder:
- The body's natural inclination on a backward-outside edge is to rotate toward the inside (the "wrong" way for a Lutz)
- The skater must actively resist rotating during the long approach glide, then release that resistance at the moment of toe-pick — like a slingshot
- Holding shoulders square during the glide is the discipline; any early shoulder rotation flips the edge to inside, making it a Flip in disguise (a "Flutz")

Why the Flip is easier:
- The inside edge naturally curves into the rotation direction
- Skaters often enter Flips from a three-turn that already initiates the rotation
- Less counter-resistance needed

Both jumps:
- Travel BACKWARD into the takeoff (neither is ever entered going forward — only the Axel does that)
- Land on the right back outside edge with the free leg trailing behind

Want to see whether your skater's takeoff edge is actually outside (Lutz) or sneakily inside (Flutz)? SkateMarks shows the edge angle at the moment of toe pick so you can catch a Flutz before it becomes a habit.