Handspring (gymnastics)

[
acro dance routine.] A handspring is an acrobatic move in which a person executes a complete revolution of the body by lunging headfirst from an upright position into a handstand and then pushing off (i.e., "springing") from the floor with the hands so as to leap back to an upright position. Handsprings are performed in various physical activities, including acro dance, cheerleading hand to hand combat, and in both men's and women's artistic gymnastics.

The direction of body rotation in a handspring may be either forward or backward, resulting in a "front handspring" or "back handspring", respectively. In a back handspring—which is also known by various other names, including "flip-flops"—the performer does not see where the hands will land until after the move has begun.

Body movement may be terminated upon completion of a handspring, or the performer's momentum may be leveraged so as to immediately perform another handspring or other rotational move (e.g., a tuck or layout).

Gymnastics use

Handsprings are used on many events, including floor, balance beam, and vault.
* In WAG, handsprings are first introduced on floor in the level 4 compulsory routine, with a roundoff back handspring dismount.
* On the balance beam, gymnasts can add a back handspring to their routine starting in level 7.
* Gymnasts competing levels 5 and 6 must do a front handspring vault, although it is common in level 7 also.

External links

* [http://www.gymnasticsrevolution.com/GymInteractive-Floor-Front%20Handspring.htm Demonstration of front handspring]
* [http://aescougarcheer.com/Cheer101/tumbling.htm#fhs Tips on learning front and back handsprings]