The Most Difficult Ice Skating Move, Ranked
Voting rules: Choose the ice skating move you think is the most difficult!
Updated on Apr 27, 2024 06:24
In the world of ice skating, athletes continuously push the boundaries of what is possible, performing moves that defy gravity and expectation. Each move requires a unique blend of strength, precision, and artistry, making some significantly harder to master than others. Understanding which moves hold the highest difficulty can help spectators appreciate the skill and dedication involved in each performance.
By participating in the ranking of these challenging ice skating moves, enthusiasts and newcomers alike can engage more deeply with the sport. Your votes help highlight the most awe-inspiring maneuvers, shaping how these elements are celebrated and perceived within the community. This interaction not only increases your appreciation for the sport but also supports skaters in striving for excellence.
What Is the Most Difficult Ice Skating Move?
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1104votes
Quadruple Axel
Miki AndoThis jump involves four and a half rotations in the air, making it the most difficult and rarest jump in figure skating. Only a handful of skaters have successfully landed it in competition.The Quadruple Axel is considered the most difficult ice skating move. It involves four and a half rotations in the air while taking off from the back outer edge of one foot and landing on the back outer edge of the opposite foot.- Difficulty Level: Very Difficult
- Number of Rotations: 4.5
- Take-Off Edge: Back Outer Edge
- Landing Edge: Back Outer Edge (opposite foot)
- Required Jumps: Axel (Single, Double, Triple)
Quadruple Axel in other rankings- Position 1 of 10 in Most difficult move in Figure Skating
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245votes
Triple Axel
Midori ItoThis jump involves three and a half rotations in the air and is considered one of the most difficult jumps in figure skating.The Triple Axel is a difficult and highly challenging figure skating jump that involves three and a half rotations in the air. It is considered one of the most technically demanding jumps in figure skating.- Rotation: 3.5 rotations
- Takeoff Edge: Forward outside edge
- Entry: Backward
- Number of Turns: Three
- Landing Edge: Backward outside edge
Triple Axel in other rankings- Position 2 of 10 in Most difficult move in Figure Skating
- Position 3 of 10 in Most difficult figure skating jump
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330votes
Barbetorte · CC BY-SA 3.0Biellmann spin
Denise BiellmannThis spin involves holding one foot behind the head while spinning on the other foot. It requires extreme flexibility and balance.The Biellmann spin is a highly difficult and visually striking ice skating move.- Rotation: The skater performs a spin in which their body is extended backward, with one leg lifted high in the air.
- Balance: The skater must maintain exceptional balance while rotating and extending their leg into the Biellmann position.
- Flexibility: The move requires extreme flexibility to lift the leg above the head without losing balance.
- Stability: The skater needs to maintain stability as they bend their torso back and create a small arch in their spine.
- Execution: The skater spins on one foot while extending the other leg backward and grabbing the blade with both hands.
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418votesAlthough not allowed in competition, the backflip is a crowd-pleasing move that requires a skater to launch themselves into the air and rotate backward in a full flip before landing on one foot. It is extremely dangerous and difficult to execute.The Backflip is an extremely difficult ice skating move where the skater flips backward in the air and lands on the ice on their feet.
- Level of Difficulty: High
- Execution: Skater starts with backward momentum, jumps, tucks their knees to the chest while rotating backward, and extends their legs to land cleanly.
- Rotations: One full rotation (360 degrees) in the air.
- Takeoff: Usually performed from backward inside or outside edges.
- Degree of Rotation: Complete 360-degree rotation.
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519votes
Ina Bauer
Ina BauerThis move involves skating on a deep edge while bending one knee and extending the other leg straight out to the side. It requires balance, flexibility, and strength.The Ina Bauer is a highly challenging and visually stunning ice skating move that involves the skater executing a deep back outside edge with one leg, while the other leg is extended and twisted around behind them, creating a captivating and unique position.- Difficulty Level: High
- Skating Technique: Edge control and body flexibility
- Leg Position: Extended and twisted behind the skater
- Arm Position: Usually extended and visually pleasing
- Edge: Back outside edge
Ina Bauer in other rankings- Position 5 of 10 in Most difficult move in Figure Skating
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64votes
Lutz jump
Alois LutzThis jump involves taking off from the back outside edge of one foot and landing on the back outside edge of the opposite foot after completing one or more rotations in the air. It is difficult because the skater must have a strong and stable edge to take off from.The Lutz jump is an advanced figure skating jump that requires the skater to take off from a back outside edge and rotate in the air before landing on the back outside edge of the opposite foot.- Difficulty Level: High
- Edge of Takeoff: Back Outside Edge
- Edge of Landing: Back Outside Edge
- Rotations: At least 1.5 rotations
- Entering Edge: Counter or Forward
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714votesThis spin involves jumping into a camel spin from a forward edge and then lifting the free leg into the air while spinning. It requires a strong jump and good balance.
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813votesThis jump involves taking off from the back inside edge of one foot and landing on the back outside edge of the opposite foot after completing three rotations in the air. It is difficult because the skater must have a strong and stable edge to take off from and must rotate quickly.Triple Flip in other rankings
- Position 6 of 10 in Most difficult figure skating jump
- Position 10 of 10 in Most difficult move in Figure Skating
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916votes
Axel jump
Axel PaulsenThis jump involves taking off from the forward outside edge of one foot and landing on the back outside edge of the opposite foot after completing one and a half rotations in the air. It is difficult because it requires a strong and stable edge to take off from and the skater must rotate quickly.The Axel jump is a difficult ice skating move that is considered a single jump. It is the only jump in which the skater takes off from a forward entry edge. During the jump, the skater completes one and a half rotations in the air before landing on the back outside edge of the opposite foot.- Jump type: Single
- Takeoff Edge: Forward
- Rotations: 1.5
- Landing Edge: Back Outside
- Jump direction: Skates forward
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1011votes
Death spiral
Alexei UlanovThis move involves the male skater holding the female skater by the hand and allowing her to lean back and spin around his body in a spiral position. It requires strength, balance, and precision from both skaters.The Death Spiral is a highly challenging and visually captivating ice skating move performed in pairs figure skating. It involves the male skater rotating around the female partner while she remains in a low and arched position. The male skater holds onto the female's hand, arm, or waist, and together they create a unique spiral-like movement on the ice.- Difficulty Level: Very high
- Rotation: Male skater rotates around the female skater
- Partner Position: Female skater remains low and arched
- Hold: Male skater holds onto female skater's hand, arm, or waist
- Complexity: Requires precise timing, balance, and core strength
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Ranking factors for difficult ice skating move
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Technical complexityThis refers to the number of rotations, twists, and transitions involved in executing the move. The more complex the move, the harder it will be to perform.
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Physical strength and flexibilityCertain moves require a significant amount of strength, balance, and flexibility. The demands on the skater's body should be considered when determining the difficulty of a move.
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Risk of injuryCertain moves carry a higher risk of injury due to the positions, forces, or landing impact involved. Moves that are more hazardous will be considered more difficult.
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Precision and controlThe level of precision and control required by a skater to execute a move successfully should be taken into account. This can include factors like spinning speed, maintaining a position, or coordinating multiple actions simultaneously.
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Consistency and stabilitySome moves are more challenging to perform consistently and with stability. This could be due to factors like entry, exit, or transitional complexity.
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Aesthetic appealAlthough not directly related to the difficulty of execution, the way a move looks when performed can be a factor in its perceived difficulty. Moves that appear more spectacular or defy gravity can be considered more difficult.
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RarityMoves that are rarely seen in competition or performed by only a few skaters globally can add to their perceived difficulty, as there may be fewer resources available to learn and master the move.
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Level of competitionThe difficulty of a move can be contextualized by the level of competition it is performed in, with higher levels (such as World Championships or Olympic Games) demanding more technically challenging and daring moves.
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Scoring and judges' perceptionsUltimately, the way a move is scored in competition and how it is perceived by judges can impact its perceived difficulty. Highly scored moves with a history of impressing judges will likely be considered more difficult.
About this ranking
This is a community-based ranking of the most difficult ice skating move. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or Jump is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!
Statistics
- 4503 views
- 207 votes
- 10 ranked items
Voting Rules
A participant may cast an up or down vote for each Jump once every 24 hours. The rank of each Jump is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.
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More information on most difficult ice skating move
Ice skating is a sport that requires a great deal of skill, agility, and balance. One of the most challenging aspects of ice skating is mastering the various moves and techniques involved in the sport. From basic spins and jumps to complex footwork and lifts, ice skating offers a wide range of difficulty levels for skaters to explore.
One of the most difficult ice skating moves is the quadruple jump, which requires the skater to complete four full rotations in the air before landing. This move is incredibly challenging and requires a great deal of strength, speed, and precision to execute successfully.
Other difficult moves in ice skating include the triple axel, which involves a forward takeoff and three and a half rotations in the air, and the Biellmann spin, which involves holding one leg above the head while spinning on the other foot. These moves require a high level of technical skill and are often performed by professional skaters in competitions.
Overall, mastering difficult ice skating moves takes years of practice and dedication. But for those who are up to the challenge, the rewards can be truly exhilarating.
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