- Joined
- Jun 21, 2003
Is there a difference beetwen "mule kick" and "toe hammering"?
I don't think either one is an official figure skating term. As far as I can tell, the two terms are used pretty much interchangably. If you say "mule kick" I suppose you are emphasizing the height of the free leg and if you say "toe hammer" you are emphasizing the force with which the skater drives the pick into the ice.
I cannot think of any men who have adopted this technique. I think it is because men rely more on the strength of their jumping leg and less on the "pole vault" effect of the pick.
Here is a good example of a nice easy-does-it pick and lift into a Lutz and a flip. (At the end of the clip both are shown in slow motion.) Of all people, this is Alissa Czizny demonstarting jump technique!
Her free leg is somewhat elevated (compared to a man), but not as high as her hip, and she kind of pushes down into the ice with her pick instead of jamming it. This is a good example of why I think well-done techniical elements ought to be taken into account in the PCSs as well as in the GOEs for particular elements.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c7eNDmgq704