Back handspring?

Question

I’m a gymnast in bronze excel. Everyone has a back handspring in my gym except me, and because of that, we don’t get to work on it very often. I cant do it on a trampoline without a spot because of a mental block. I’ll do it on the floor with a spot too. Any tips on getting a back handspring or overcoming a mental block?

Answer

Ugh, mental blocks are the worst. I used to be a gymnast so here is some advice. You can practice maybe backbends or back walkovers at home just to be more comfortable with going backwards. Also, when you are doing the back handsprings don’t think about it, just go. The more you think about it, the more unnecessary stress you’ll cause on yourself. hope this helped :)

Answer

When I first learned how to do it, I just went for it.  (actually I was learning back flip) I tried once and landed on my knees.  Tried again and landed on my head.  Tried once more and landed on my feet And after that I had it down.  Just don't be scared of it.

Answer

I’m a level 9 gymnast and I find that you you pick three things to say and the go on the third it works well. For example for a back handspring you can say jump arch block. Just fill your head with only those words a positive ideas and you can go for it. As for lighter spots each time if you need to. Trust in your coaches and yourself that you wouldn’t be doing it if you were not ready. Good luck! pls tell me if this helps!

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Could you get some private lessons so you could work on it one on one with someome? My niece is a cheerleader and she's working on hers right now too. It sounds like you are so close - Good Luck. I KNOW you can do it! 🎉

Answer

I used to do gymnastics and I always got mental blocks like that too. I trained a minimum of 18 hours a week, yet I would still struggle to get past my own brain when doing new skills. One of my worst ones was doing back tucks on the trampoline. I could do them on the floor after a round off alone but I couldn’t do it on the trampoline. I also struggled when doing new dismounts on bars. For me, I only got passed those mental blocks because my coach would force me to do 20 back tucks on the trampoline every training session for example. Or she would tell me that I didn’t have to do the actual layout flyaway, that I could just land on my back, meanwhile while I was in the air she would flip me. It didn’t always work the best but it took away any mental block since I knew that I technically had already done the skill. Anyway, I never had to get past those blocks myself. I popped my knee out doing a scissor leap catleap full and had to quit gymnastics. I just thought I’d share that lots of gymnasts have the same problem :)

Answer

Yes!! I had a mental block for almost 2 years!!! Because of that, I lost out on a lot of opportunity. Eventually I learned to take a breath and as I let the breath out- I would start the first motion and think LOUD in my head “PUSH HARD” or “snap down” that eventually got me where I needed to be :)

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Practice on a hexagon rolling mat, it will help!

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Gosh I had this mental block on and off for about 6 years... it's awful but I know exactly what you're doing through. I'd start by doing a lot of back walkovers on the tramp and then unspotted back handspring's on the tramp... then I'd move to the floor and do the same thing... I'd force myself to trust it. Look behind mefirst, imaging myself doing it, and just letting it happen. Also, when on the floor, I'd have a spot but then they'd slowly barely touch me. That helped a lot. Knowing there hand is there but barely touching you... it has to be someone you trust though.