Lets do a how to...Backhandspring

It's been a long while since I have done a how to instructional step by step entry on a certain skill and decided the time had come! Since I want to cater to all of my audience I think the best way to start is at more beginner skills before moving on to more advanced tutorials. With that I want to begin with the key to all basic to advanced tumbling lines.. the backhandspring! To start I will break up the backhandspring into a variety of steps and then add some personal tips to help anyone working on this skill!

Step 1: First of all make sure you have stretched and warmed up thoroughly beforehand, stretching out your ankles and wrists and especially your back to help you complete this skill

Step 2: When starting out backhandspringing there are a variety of drills to practice the necessary body positions. The one I reccomend the most in the beginning is jumping back from a sitting position onto a matt, onto your back. By doing this you practice the arch position needed but most importantly the beginning swing and sit which most people find the hardest. Another drill for the pop down is handstand snap downs which also work well for the ending portion of the backhandspring

 

Step 3: Time to handspring! After working on these drills it's time to try the skill. Whether you try it on the trampoline, matt or floor it is very important to use a spot for safety reasons while larning this skill.The first position you will start in is standing with your arms at your sides just short of 90 degress.

Step 4: From your standing position you will swing your arms down and back. While they are down and back you will begin to go into a semi sitting position.

Step 5: As your arms raise up and back you will begin to leave your sitting position for an arched open body position as you reach back

Step 6: While in the air it is important to keep your body tight and your toes pointed, this will also help you elongate your handspring to avoid doing short up and down handsprings which can be dangerous

Step 7: As your hands touch the ground you will push up into a hollow body position, keeping your muscles tight until you are in an upright position and landed from the handspring

Tips:

-Tight is Right!!! The tighter you are the easier the skill, this applies to almost every trick in the spectrum!

-Be confident and meditate your backhandspring. Being confident is the key to doing any tumbling, when you are nervous and doubt yourself you also forget what to do because of your nerves often. Meditating your backhandspring helps your mind invision everything you have to do so your brain does not overthink it which can also be a problem.

-Ask for help! It might be embarrssing asking for a spot or assistance but it is much more embarrassing then injuries that require being dragged off to the hospital while getting much more attention!