Standing Back Handspring Tips

• The standing back handspring is the basic "hard" trick that you must master before you attempt to master a back tuck, back full, Arabian full, etc.

• Before you begin, it's good to think: fall, sit, push. You'll be falling back with a straight body, sitting (bending your legs with your butt going towards-but not to-your ankles), and pushing back while throwing your arms back to reach the floor, with your head following your arms (chin away from chest).

• While t's true I am not an artist (I can't even draw stick figures), I do know a back handspring does NOT have a handstand in it (see first picture). Why coaches ever tell you there is, is beyond me. Do NOT do a handstand in your back handspring-it will probably hurt, as well as make you severely undercut.

• What is undercutting (see third picture)? Basically, it's when your hands land near where your feet began, your shoulders are over your wrists, and you generally fall on your face or head and your legs come tumbling after.

• Your back handspring should be as long as you are tall from your toes to your fingertips when they are raised up; you can lay down, stretching your arms overhead, and you'll literally see where you should begin and end. 

Keep Arms Up By Ears and Your Shoulders Over Your Wrists While Doing Back Handspring Steps 3 - 8; Hollow Your Body After Step 5

Fall, Sit, Push Back - Back Handspring

Are you undercutting? Remember, when you're doing a back handspring, the second half of the trick, from your hands to your feet, should travel back about half your body height.