How to Do a Back Handspring

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  Starting position
• Get ready to start: make sure that when you start you have a spotter or a coach or gymnastic teacher. Bring your legs and feet together, your knees together and your arms in front of you. Do NOT fall flat on your face!
• Start on a trampoline. Flipping backwards. Then when your ready do it on the floor!
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  Pushing off
  Position yourself to push off: Raise your arms back, near your ears. Put your chin down. Begin a position like you are sitting in a chair. Have your bum parallel to the floor and don't let your knees lean over your ankles! (again like your sitting in a chair.) Then swing your arms down-ward.
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  Pushing back
  Push back: Then as you begin to rise, bring the arms forward and continuing upward and go into a seal position as you begin to lean backwards. Continue while swinging your arms above your head as you extend off the floor with a strong hip thrust using your abdomen. Tighten the arm and shoulder muscles driving up and back from your feet, raising your head back between your arms. Make sure your arms are by your ears. Make sure you squeeze/tense your body so that way you're in control, not relaxed.
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  Arching back
  Try not to undercut (this means don't arch your back as much) your back as you thrust back: Let your legs continue to drive you upward and backward. Point your toes and extend through your ankles. Make sure you keep your head back between your arms while you start to reach for the floor. Start to look for your landing spot on the mat.
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  Reaching toward the floor
  Reach for the floor as you arch over: Keep your body arched as your hands touch the floor. Make sure you keep your arms straight so you don't hit your head on the floor. With the momentum of your legs and lower body still following and carrying you over.

• Keep your hands either straight-forward or turned in slightly. Spread your fingers slightly, keep your feet together, and do not let your knees lock, but keep the legs almost straight.
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  Coming down
  Swing your legs and feet over and snap them down firmly toward the floor. Keep your upper body straight. Do not lock your knees or you will damage them.

Finishing position

Finish: Land with your legs slightly bending and swinging your arms out straight in front of you. Now you are finished doing the back handspring.