Biomechanics of the Backhand
Spring
BIOLOGY 438
April 10th 2012
Jabez Yeo
Background Information
An acrobatic move in which someone completes a full rotation of the
body by:
1. Lunging headfirst into a handstand
2. Springing from the floor with their hands
3. Leaping back to an upright position
 Performed in various activities, including cheerleading, gymnastics and
break-dancing
 Performer does not see where their hands will land until after the move
has begun

Steps to a Backhand Spring
1.
Start in resting position
2.
Fully extend arms up straight into the air
3.
Anteriorly adduct shoulders
4.
Start leaning backward while flexing your hips and neck simultaneously
5.
Forcefully jump backward while hyperextending your spine, neck and shoulders until
your hands reach the floor.
6.
While your wrists are also now hyperextended, push up off the floor and
simultaneously flex your neck, spine and hips forward until you land on your feet.
7.
You should now be back into starting position.
Steps to a Backhand Spring
1.
Start in resting position
2.
Fully extend arms up straight into the air
3.
Anteriorly adduct shoulders
4.
Start leaning backward while flexing your hips and neck simultaneously
5.
Forcefully jump backward while hyperextending your spine, neck and shoulders until
your hands reach the floor.
6.
While your wrists are also now hyperextended, push up off the floor and
simultaneously flex your neck, spine and hips forward until you land on your feet.
7.
You should now be back into starting position.
Steps to a Backhand Spring
1.
Start in resting position
2.
Fully extend arms up straight into the air
3.
Anteriorly adduct shoulders
4.
Start leaning backward while flexing your hips and neck simultaneously
5.
Forcefully jump backward while hyperextending your spine, neck and shoulders until
your hands reach the floor.
6.
While your wrists are also now hyperextended, push up off the floor and
simultaneously flex your neck, spine and hips forward until you land on your feet.
7.
You should now be back into starting position.
Steps to a Backhand Spring
1.
Start in resting position
2.
Fully extend arms up straight into the air
3.
Anteriorly adduct shoulders
4.
Start leaning backward while flexing your hips and neck simultaneously
5.
Forcefully jump backward while hyperextending your spine, neck and shoulders until
your hands reach the floor.
6.
While your wrists are also now hyperextended, push up off the floor and
simultaneously flex your neck, spine and hips forward until you land on your feet.
7.
You should now be back into starting position.
Steps to a Backhand Spring
1.
Start in resting position
2.
Fully extend arms up straight into the air
3.
Anteriorly adduct shoulders
4.
Start leaning backward while flexing your hips and neck simultaneously
5.
Forcefully jump backward while hyper-extending your spine, neck and
shoulders until your hands reach the floor.
6.
While your wrists are also now hyperextended, push up off the floor and
simultaneously flex your neck, spine and hips forward until you land on your feet.
7.
You should now be back into starting position.
Steps to a Backhand Spring
1.
Start in resting position
2.
Fully extend arms up straight into the air
3.
Anteriorly adduct shoulders
4.
Start leaning backward while flexing your hips and neck simultaneously
5.
Forcefully jump backward while hyperextending your spine, neck and shoulders until
your hands reach the floor.
6.
While your wrists are now hyper-extended, push off the floor and flex your
neck, spine and hips forward simultanesouly until you land on your feet.
7.
You should now be back into starting position.
Steps to a Backhand Spring
1.
Start in resting position
2.
Fully extend arms up straight into the air
3.
Anteriorly adduct shoulders
4.
Start leaning backward while flexing your hips and neck simultaneously
5.
Forcefully jump backward while hyperextending your spine, neck and shoulders until
your hands reach the floor.
6.
While your wrists are also now hyperextended, push up off the floor and
simultaneously flex your neck, spine and hips forward until you land on your feet.
7.
You should now be back into starting position.
Video
Research Questions
Sources

"Back Handspring." Back Handspring. Web. 07 Apr. 2012.<http://backhandspringhow2.
blogspot.com/>.

Penitente, Gabriella, Franco Merni, and William A. Sands. "Kinematic Analysis of the
Centre of Mass in the Back Handspring: A Case Study." Scribd. Gym Coach,
Jan. 2011. Web. 08 Apr. 2012.
<http://www.scribd.com/doc/47642886/Kinematic-Analysis-of-the-Centre-ofMass-in-the-Back-Handspring-A-case-study>.
THANK YOU!