How to teach a back handspring: 37 drills, step by step

You teach a back handspring by breaking it into six phases and training each one first: start position, falling back, hollow take-off, hand landing, push-off through the shoulders and final stance. This series builds those phases on floor. It is for recreational and competitive coaches teaching a first back handspring or round-off back handspring.

37 video steps · floor, floor-men

Step 1 of 37, free: Back Handspring 1

The phases

1. Start: stand fully stretched with the arms next to the ears.
2. Falling in: shift the center of gravity back as if sitting on a chair, arms by the ears.
3. Hollow take-off: extend the legs and open hips, chest and shoulders.
4. Hand landing: arrive in a hollow handstand with the shoulder angle fully open.
5. Push-off: snap from hollow to slightly rounded while pushing through straight arms.
6. End position: land on the feet, extended and ready for a rebound or next element.

Before you start

The gymnast should support body weight on the arms, keep body tension, have open shoulders and be comfortable moving backward, for example with a bridge and backward roll.

Common mistakes

• Shoulder angle not fully open: the arms bend and the push-off loses energy.
• Bent arms on hand contact: the push comes from the arms instead of the shoulders.
• Lack of body tension: the body collapses when the hands hit the floor.
• Throwing the head and arms back without sitting first: the handspring travels too high and short.

Coaching cues

• Sit back on a chair
• Arms by your ears
• Push through the shoulders
• Snap the feet down

All 37 steps

1. Back Handspring 1
2. Back Handspring 2
3. Back Handspring 3
4. Back Handspring 4
5. Back Handspring 5
6. Back Handspring 6
7. Back Handspring 7
8. Back Handspring 8
9. Back Handspring 9
10. Back Handspring 10
11. Back Handspring 11
12. Back Handspring 12
13. Back Handspring 13
14. Back Handspring 14
15. Back Handspring 15
16. Back Handspring 16
17. Back Handspring 17
18. Back Handspring 18
19. Back Handspring 19
20. Back Handspring 20
21. Back Handspring 21
22. Back Handspring 22
23. Back Handspring 23
24. Back Handspring 24
25. Back Handspring 25
26. Back Handspring 26
27. Back Handspring 27
28. Back Handspring 28
29. Back Handspring 29
30. Back Handspring 30
31. Back Handspring 31
32. Back Handspring 32
33. Back Handspring 33
34. Back Handspring 34
35. Back Handspring 35
36. Back Handspring 36
37. Back Handspring 37

Frequently asked questions

What age can kids learn a back handspring?

There is no fixed age. Readiness depends on support strength, body tension, shoulder flexibility and comfort moving backward. These can be built early in preschool and beginner classes, so prepare the basics before attempting the full skill.

What should a gymnast have before learning a back handspring?

They should support themselves on the arms for several seconds, hold body tension, have open shoulders and be comfortable going backward. A bridge, backward roll and rolling backward over a mat are useful preparation.

How do I go from back handspring to round-off back handspring?

First the gymnast needs both skills well on their own. Then focus on a strong, quick rebound out of the round-off that sends energy backward, which gives the speed to start the back handspring.

What is a Back Handspring? Read the glossary entry

Related series

• Round-Off
• Back Walkover
• Back Tuck