The role of handsprings (both front and back) at high levels

[Geoffrey Taucer]

While handsprings (both forward and backward) are very important developmental steps for low-level gymnasts, it seems to me they are becoming less and less important tot he construction of high-level routines. The front handspring seems all but extinct at the top levels of the sport (especially on the men's side) and even back handsprings are becoming less common.

Front saltos are, more and more, being done from a punch (or connected from a backwards skill with a forward landing).

Backward saltos are, more and more, being done directly out of a roundoff.

There are a number of clear advantages to this. First, no opportunity for form deductions on the handsprings. Second and perhaps more importantly, removing the handspring decreases the distance taken up by the pass, allowing the gymnast to more easily keep the pass in bounds.

I think at this point it's clear that front handsprings, while crucial in the development of strong tumbling at the lower levels, are generally unnecessary for the construction of high-level routines. This being the case, at what point does it become unnecessary to continue training the skill? Should optional-level gymnasts continue spending time practicing a skill they will likely never use in a routine?

With back handsprings, things are a bit more complicated, as the skill is still used in high-level routines. What are the mechanical advantages/disadvantages of doing salto skills out of a backhandspring as opposed to a roundoff? Is there a point where a back handspring is no longer necessary, where a gymnast would be better of training saltos directly out of a roundoff?

[Blairbob]

There is a point where using the back whip as an accelerator can make more sense that the back handspring. It sort of depends whether they need to generate more horizontal or vertical amplitude.

It's still probably a good idea to do basics but limit it to warmup passes during tumbling or on occasion. I'm not a high level tumbler and I've yet to work or see with high level MAG tumblers really so it's just my conjecture.

With male tumblers, more than likely they can easily generate enough forward momentum with the first steps and round-off so they don't need the BHS as an accelerator as much. It also depends on the connection of the pass whether it involves more twisting saltos or double/triple backs. It then blurs the line when you connect these elements. A double lay will travel a lot more than a double pike/tuck (haven't heard of a triple in a long time).

As well for the men, you'll often see a front salto used as an horizontal accelerator by causing it to travel so it's a version of a front whip like a flyspring/bounder vs tight arch front whip. This in tandem with a short run and hurdle can provide plenty of enough forward momentum for forward tumbling passes.

I've also heard the FHS is used to teach how to accelerate into the RO with progressions like FHS-step out being a similar entry to RO, ideally in the lower levels.

[Seiji]

Even though I can land a FHS in a standing position, I never tried to do anything with it. My fronts are pretty good, so I was thinking of connecting them.

However, my FHS is like my old BHS... landing in a standing position doesn't allow you to block... I guess I'm just not traveling enough after leaving my arms? Maybe the reason why I land straight is because I block with my arms too much... O.o

I've never watched a FHS tutorial, and now that I read this post, I'm pretty sure I'm doing it wrong lol

[Blairbob]

Kick harder, block more, don't close shoulders, could be a lot of things. The point in learning the FHS is to learn to over rotate it. One of the drills we use is to simply focus on over rotating it to your face on a mat or into pit. This is also done with the flyspring/bounder.

A good drill of course is to learn to connect bounders on tumbl-trak and then bounder>dive roll. Another is to connect a FHS>flyspring bounder

Another common drill is to work the front handspring step-out into a front handspring by learning how to over rotate it.

[Coach Sommer]

For the majority of athletes, front and back handspring variations are an essential step in mastering tumbling progressions. For these athletes, unless they can perform several smooth bounders and back handsprings in series they are not yet ready to begin focusing on the development of front and back whips in series.

The sole exception that comes to mind would be the quick powerful athlete with extremely tight shoulders who, regardless of how hard they train, will never manage to produce a technically correct backhandspring or bounder. In this situation, I would utilize a different progression focusing primarily on front and back whip development. However it is important to point out, that it is only this category of athlete's speed and power that makes such a transition developmentally possible.

Yours in Fitness,

Coach Sommer

[DrAlexisOlson]

In my own experience, I've found that saltos out of a front handspring are much easier than just a punch. It's a lot less work to simply stay tight out of a front handspring and bounce into a front layout or front full (or some combination of the two), and easier on the joints too. However, I typically do front 1 & 3/4's and double front attempts from a punch as I've not learned to generate a lot of height out of a front handspring consistently.

Although back handsprings still seem useful as accelerators, I can't really see much use for bounders beyond the developmental level. Back handsprings can also be useful to smooth out tumbling from an imperfect round off; a front handspring is less likely to need such correction as it is technically much simpler.

[Seiji]

o.o

My blocking technique sucks for forward skills (punching), but I can easily front tuck and land straight. I've always been avoiding a front handspring into something, but now I MUST! When my shoulders heal again

[Sternford]

o.o

My blocking technique sucks for forward skills (punching), but I can easily front tuck and land straight. I've always been avoiding a front handspring into something, but now I MUST! When my shoulders heal again

I just did a front handspring into something (front tuck) the week before last, but then my knee got messed up ]: