How to teach the front handspring: 45 drills, step by step
You teach a front handspring by building a long hurdle, a straight-arm block through open shoulders and a tight body in flight to the landing. This series breaks the skill into parts on floor. It is for coaches of women's and men's gymnasts who will use it on floor, vault and in front tumbling connections.
45 video steps · floor, floor-men
Step 1 of 45, free: Front Handspring 1
The phases
- Run and hurdle: arrive with speed and reach long into the hurdle.
- Hand placement: place the hands far with straight arms and open shoulders.
- Block: push off quickly through the shoulders without bending the arms.
- Flight: keep a tight body with the arms by the ears while the legs come over.
- Landing: land on both feet with the chest up, ready for the next element.
Before you start
The gymnast should have a strong handstand, solid shoulder flexibility, a bridge, a hurdle and good body tension.
Common mistakes
- Bent arms on contact: the block loses power and the flight is low.
- Closed shoulder angle: the gymnast pushes forward instead of up.
- Head moving out of line: the body shape breaks in flight.
- Hurdle too short or slow: not enough energy to rotate to the feet.
Coaching cues
- Long reach, straight arms
- Block through the shoulders
- Arms by the ears
- Stand up tall
All 45 steps
- Front Handspring 1
- Front Handspring 2
- Front Handspring 3
- Front Handspring 4
- Front Handspring 5
- Front Handspring 6
- Front Handspring 7
- Front Handspring 8
- Front Handspring 9
- Front Handspring 10
- Front Handspring 11
- Front Handspring 12
- Front Handspring 13
- Front Handspring 14
- Front Handspring 15
- Front Handspring 16
- Front Handspring 17
- Front Handspring 18
- Front Handspring 19
- Front Handspring 20
- Front Handspring 21
- Front Handspring 22
- Front Handspring 23
- Front Handspring 24
- Front Handspring 25
- Front Handspring 26
- Front Handspring 27
- Front Handspring 28
- Front Handspring 29
- Front Handspring 30
- Front Handspring 31
- Front Handspring 32
- Front Handspring 33
- Front Handspring 34
- Front Handspring 35
- Front Handspring 36
- Front Handspring 37
- Front Handspring 38
- Front Handspring 39
- Front Handspring 40
- Front Handspring 41
- Front Handspring 42
- Front Handspring 43
- Front Handspring 44
- Front Handspring 45
Frequently asked questions
What should a gymnast learn before a front handspring?
A straight handstand, shoulder flexibility, a bridge or front limber and a good hurdle. Many coaches use a wedge, panel mat or trampoline first so the gymnast learns the block and flight with more time.
Why does my gymnast land in a squat or sit after a front handspring?
Often the block is weak, the shoulders are closed or the arms bend. Then there is not enough height to stand up. Work on hand placement and a fast push through straight arms first.
What is a Front Handspring? Read the glossary entry