How to Do a Double Back Handspring

Last Updated: May 12, 2019

Once you master a single back handspring, you are ready to learn a double back handspring. This article assumes that you have truly mastered the single back handspring; if you have not done so, you should not attempt the double as it could result in serious injury.

Steps

1
Perfect your single back handspring.
2
Do a back handspring, but without swinging your arms back.

Advertisement
3
Jump up and down a few times and then jump into your back handspring.
4
Make sure your arms are straight and do another back handspring.
5
Do a back handspring, jump two times, and do another back handspring.
6
Do a back handspring, pause, and then do another back handspring without swinging your arms back.
7
Once you are comfortable with the above, try doing a back handspring and then immediately do another without pausing in between.

Community Q&A

Question

How can I have a powerful, strong tumble for this skill?

Community Answer

Make sure you have a good run and a good hurdle into your roundoff to ensure you have enough power. Also, make sure you don't go too high in your back handsprings.
Question

I'm too scared to do this, how do I get over the fear?

Aimee Hughes

Community Answer

Start off by simply doing two backward walkovers in a row, making them faster each time you do them. Then try backward walkover back handsprings, again making it faster each time. Gradually keep doing things like this and you will get over your fear. Just don't get annoyed with yourself because it will probably take quite a while. Remember, everyone started somewhere and practice makes perfect!
Question

Should I be able to do a backbend before I can do a back handspring?

Community Answer

Yes. Backbends are much easier than back handsprings, so if you master your backbend, then you can move up to trying a back handspring.

Warnings

Do not do a back handspring starting from a squatting position. Your head or neck (rather than your arms) could end up absorbing all the impact as a result.

⧼thumbs_response⧽
Helpful 59 Not Helpful 11
Lean back! You need to jump back as well as up.

⧼thumbs_response⧽
Helpful 54 Not Helpful 14
Serious injury, even a broken neck, can result from doing a double back handspring incorrectly. It is necessary to have great upper arm strength to avoid injury as the arms take the entire weight as well as the downward momentum of the body during the exercise.

⧼thumbs_response⧽
Helpful 44 Not Helpful 19
DO NOT DO THIS EXERCISE OUTSIDE OF A GYM. Any type of gymnastics without the proper equipment can result in serious injury.

⧼thumbs_response⧽
Helpful 51 Not Helpful 32
DO NOT DO THIS EXERCISE ALONE.

⧼thumbs_response⧽
Helpful 46 Not Helpful 34