How To Do a Back Handspring

First and foremost, DO NOT TRY THIS AT HOME. It is very important to first try this skill in a gym with a qualified instructor and the proper mats. You can easily be injured if you try it without proper instruction. Also, this skill requires strength and flexibility, so start with smaller steps such as a back walkover. The first step to doing a back handspring is to stand in the correct position. Make your body like the letter "I" (straight up and down). Make sure your arms are fully extended above your head, next to your ears, and your legs are straight. Stand on the balls of your feet. Make sure you are looking straight forward. Next, you will begin to flip your body over. You do this by slightly bending your knees, still being tight, and begin to move your upper body backwards. This step is done fast. To gain momentum, move your arms from the straight up position down slightly behind your body, still keeping them straight. At this point, you should feel as though you are falling backwards. Step three. Your knees are slightly bent, so you must jump backwards and swing your arms back to the original position, so that your hands can meet the ground. Your body should be in an arch at this point. The most important thing to remember is to ALWAYS keep your arms straight, tight and close to your ears. This will prevent your head from hitting the ground. Make sure you are not looking at or for the ground, though. Keep your head between your arms; your arms should still be directly by your head. When your hands do hit the ground, be ready! Keep your entire body very tight. Naturally, your legs will rise from the ground and you will be in a handstand position—the same position as you started in, but upside down. At this point you do not want to force your feet to the ground, they will naturally flow over toward the ground. Push off the ground with your hands using your shoulders. Your feet will come around and meet the ground. Stay tight and you will complete your back handspring in your starting "I" position. Aubrey Howard is a senior at Assumption High School and a cheerleader for Trinity.