The arched-back landing for the handspring series is impossible for the beginner because he does not attain the necessary height until he has practiced for a considerable length of time. However, learning to land other tricks, such as a neck spring, will help the beginner progress toward the handspring.



Each stunt in this progression gets the performer a little higher off the mat. In the first stunt the performer learns how to snap the hips into an arch, even though often he is not able to do a good neck spring. The headspring includes about the same fundamentals but also gives the performer a chance to learn how to put his head back to increase his arch.

In the bent-arm handspring the performer can concentrate on coordinating the leg kick with the hip snap into a good arch while still improving his head position. In the more advanced handspring the mechanics of the kick and arch should take the performer over onto his feet. He may utilize a shoulder push, but there should be no bend at the elbows. The neck-lift front handspring is a popular companion stunt that further stresses the fundamentals.

At this point it is important to stress the fact that the handspring fundamentals are just the reverse of those for the rolls or somersaults. In the rolls and somersaults the performer brings his knees to his chest in what is called the "tuck" position. The hips are flexed extremely. In the handspring the hips are hyper-extended with the knees straight. The arched back of the handspring is just opposite to a tuck.

For a neck spring, roll back and place your hands well under your shoulders. The weight of the body should be on the neck and shoulders, not on the back. Take advantage of the natural rebound of the body, kick the legs vigorously upward and forward at a 45 degree angle. At the same time push hard on the mat with your arms and head and bring your feet under your body to land. When you land bend at the knees, not the hip.

This stunt is not an easy one to learn. It differs from the headspring and handspring in that in the beginning stages the performer will start from a lying-down position. Persistent practice is necessary in order to coordinate the hip snap and the arm and neck push into a good neck spring. Only experienced tumblers will be able to get enough height to land in good form as illustrated above. Doing the neck spring off a rolled-up mat or a pile of mats helps the beginner to get the feeling of the stunt and gives him encouragement and confidence. This is also a good way for the advanced performer to change from the squat to the arched-back landing if he has trouble with the transition.

The beginner will have to learn with a squat landing. This more elementary type of landing is acceptable for the novice in any of the stunts of this progression. The squat landing is always used for a series of neck springs, even by the advanced performer. Several ways of assisting each other in pairs are illustrated below. When helping your partner be sure to turn your head so that his elbow will not hit you in the face.