Tumbling Tips: Back Handsprings

Tumbling Tips: Back Handsprings

Recommended prerequisite skills:

  • 60 seconds dish and front support holds
  • Shoulder flexibility past the ears without arching back
  • 5 second handstand hold without assistance
  • Handstand pop and hold for 1-2 seconds
  • Roundoff with height in the rebound (body rebounding in tight 7 shape)
  • Roundoff rebounds x 3
  • Back walkover (ideal but not necessary especially for older athletes)

    Mastered drills:

    • Pike sit to tight body extension
    • Fast arm swings past ears without arching back
    • Leg extensions pushing panel mat (emphasis on power and pointing toes)
    • Jump back to tight body extension on crash mat (emphasis on open hips and tight arms)
    • Handstand snap down to tight body extension on crash mat
    • Roundoff jump back to tight body extension on crash mat
    • Sit onto roll/barrel push back to body extension, hands rebounding on wall
    • Pike sit on high crash mat, body extension onto hands landing in front support
    • Jump back to roll/barrel onto hands landing in front support

      Progression to the skill:

      • Spotted back handspring to front support
      • Back handspring to mat landing in front support
      • Back handspring to handstand against wedge on wall
      • Roundoff STOP spotted back handspring
      • Roundoff spotted back handspring
      • Roundoff back handspring
        Back to blog