Split jumps

Sasha Cohen performs a Russian split jump.

A split jump is a sequence of body movements in which a split is performed after jumping, while the performer is still in the air. Split jumps are commonly found in dance, figure skating, and gymnastics, and may also be used as a form of exercise.

In figure skating

Split jumps are a category of figure skating jumps in which the skater achieves a split position in the air. Unlike most figure skating jumps, split jumps are positional jumps, rather than rotational jumps; the point of them is to achieve a position in the air, not to rotate a specific number of times.^[1]

Most split jumps are derived from the half flip, a half-rotation jump with a flip entry. Split jumps can also be done with half lutz or falling leaf (a loop jump with a half-revolution in the air) entries. More rarely, full-rotation flip and lutz jumps can be done with a split. These jumps are known as the split flip and split lutz.

As an alternative to the standard front split, some skaters perform a Russian split, with legs in a straddle split. The only difference between this and a split jump is the position in the air.^[1] The legs extend straight out, with the toes pointed. Skaters often touch their toes as part of a Russian split.

Another variation is the stag jump, in which the forward leg is bent in front while the back leg kicks out as in the regular split jump.^[1] Both the Russian split and stag jump can be done from the same jump entries as the regular split jumps. Bending both legs in a stag jump is sometimes called a double stag jump.

Split jumps are considered fairly basic jumps in figure skating, but they can be very dramatic when performed well. The challenge is for the skater to achieve a full horizontal split or straddle position at the apex of the jump, which requires both body flexibility and a strong spring into the air.

• 
  Stephane Lambiel performs a stag jump.
• 
  A skater performs a double stag jump.

See also

• Split leap

References

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Split jumps.

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Stag jumps.

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