Learn to do a Backflip... (Back Handspring!)

People like to call back Handsprings Backflips but a backflip is when you flip with out hands and it's a lot harder to do. I learned how to do a back handspring back when I was in high school at the age of 15, today I am 47 years old. I did not actually learn while in high school. It was on the streets of NYC, while I was messing around with my friends. A friend of mine learned to do a back handspring and he said he could teach me. We found a nice grassy area and off we went. It was hard at first and it took me the better part of a month to finally do it on my own with out someone spotting me. I tried to learn in school but the coach said I was to big. I was always a big kid, apparently he had bad experiences spotting bigger people. In retrospect I get it. I been kicked in the head more times then I can remember teaching people how to do this.

Most people believe that they needed super strong upper body to do this. Flexibility is way more important, you should be able to do a handstand at least. If you can't hold your body weight that can be a problem, but you don't have do military presses(upside down pushup). Flexibility of your back, arms and shoulders are very important. If you are not flexible in this area that is where you start.

Back handsprings are easier to do then a front handspring from a physical stand point but harder from a mental point of view. The idea of throwing yourself backwards with out being able to see the floor goes against most people survival instincts. It takes sometime with someone spotting you to get over that fear, but it will happens.

• step 1 sit back on your heels like your sitting in a chair.
• step 2 Fall back on your heels in sitting position. When you feel your about to fall over you jump.
• step 3 As you jump throw arms back and look for the ground.
• step 4 When you feel the floor, whip your legs down towards the floor.
• Step 5 Once your feet touch the floor throws arms up into the air.