Handspring (gymnastics)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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, 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 flip such as a tuck or layout).
[edit] Gymnastics use
Handsprings are performed in several events in women's artistic gymnastics:
- Handsprings begin on the floor exercise in compulsory level 4.
- On the balance beam, gymnasts may include a back handspring in level 7 and above.
- Gymnasts competing at levels 5 and 6 must do a front handspring vault, and it is common to do so in level 7.
[edit] Cheerleading use
Handsprings, particularly back handsprings, are a prized skill in cheerleading. At the school level they are often required as a minimum tumbling skill in order to make the team. In All-Star cheerleading in the United States, United States All Star Federation rules allow handsprings beginning in level 2.
