How common is it that it could take this long for a skater to get the axel jump?

My 8 year old daughter has been working on the axel on and off for a year. Has passed Juvenile moves, doing well in precision, passed 4 ice dance tests in a month - so all else seems to be going well but getting this jump. She has successfully landed it several times, but not enough to say she's really got it. How common is it that it could take this long? How likely is it she will get it? She's been on the ice 3 hours a week for FS with an hour coaching time? Anxious

Linda says:
I can understand your concern about working on the same jump for a year and not being successful. The axel is usually the first jump that takes considerably longer than the previous jumps to master. I personally know skaters who took well over a year to land the first one and another year before the axel became a consistent jump. Your daughter has landed the axel so she knows she can do it.

Every skater is different when it comes to the axel and then the double jumps. If skaters are doing other things, such as precision and dance or even school activities, it will take longer. Try not to put alot of pressure, even unintended, on consistently landing the axel. You didn't say if your daughter is getting frustrated about the axel. If she is, it may be time for a change. She may need to work on something different for awhile, perhaps another jump such as the double salchow or double toe loop or new spins. Maybe extra ice time would help.

Some skaters practice their axels on the ground (dirt not cement). If your daughter is not frustrated, leave things as they are. She has been successful at landing the axel and is certainly making progress in other aspects of skating. Remember every jump from now on will take considerably longer than all the previous jumps.

Traci says:
The axel is a tricky jump.  It is the only jump with a forward take off and it is has one and a half revolutions.  My daughter felt the timing of it was the most difficult part to get.  Tell your daughter to keep working at it.  The only way it will become consistent is with practice, practice, practice.  I have known skaters who have taken two years and three years to land the jump successfully.  Some skaters never land it.  Each skater is different.  Have patience.  Your daughter is young and she will have it in no time!

Amanda'sMom says:
This is a tough jump! My own daughter landed this jump the very first time her coach made her try it, but afterwards, she didn't land it for almost a year. Keep in mind that each skater is different and learns at his/her own pace. Since your daughter has landed this jump before, with more practice she'll come closer to landing this jump with consistency.