What Age Should I Enroll My Child in Gymnastics?
A front handspring is one of many tumbling skills gymnasts can learn during their classes. While it only takes a few seconds to execute, it requires many weeks of practice to perform one adequately. If you think you’re ready to attempt a front handspring, Gold Medal Gyms will walk you through the process.
Take Safety Precautions
Before you attempt a front handspring, take the time to ensure you are being safe. Make sure your surroundings are prepared, so you have the safest experience possible. This can include:
Place Safety Mats: Very few people correctly execute a front handspring on the first try, so you’re bound to fall at some point. As you attempt a front handspring, be sure your surface is cushioned in case you have a bad landing. Gym mats or a soft surface are excellent places to start.
Using a spotter: If you’ve never performed a front handspring before, a spotter is someone who will be standing close-by to help you just in case things were to go south. Spotters can help catch you and prevent you from falling if you are unable to perform the stunt successfully.
Wear appropriate clothing: Before you try a front handspring in an everyday outfit, wear typical gymnastics attire to prevent any slip-ups the first few times. Performing a front handspring in a dress is certainly not the best clothing to wear for your first try. Once you have a bit more practice, perhaps performing in other clothing may become more natural.
Attempting the Front Handspring
There are many ways to perform a front handspring, but for this blog, we’ll be discussing how to try one on the floor. There are several steps to achieving a front handspring, so it’s essential to walk through these steps a few times to get some practice before you perform the real thing.
Run and Hop: The key to a great front handspring is momentum. Before you take off, be sure there is enough room around you to perform at your highest potential. As you run a few steps, it’s time to perform a hurdle. A hurdle is a small hop done before the front handspring execution so you can build up height so you can start the move. Raise your arms into the air as your hurdle and hop from your dominant foot to land on your dominant foot, and then quickly step forward with your non-dominant foot.
Secure your hands: As you step forward, plant your hands on the ground and kick your legs up into the air. It should almost look like you’re doing a handstand. Keep your body vertical and straight up in the air.
Push Forward: To finish the move, propel your legs forward, keeping your arms tight to your ears. Making your legs as straight as possible, you should land on the balls of your feet, completing the front handspring.
Perfect Your Front Handspring at Gold Medal Gyms
If you’re looking to perfect your front handspring — or any other tumbling passes — Gold Medal Gyms has an excellent tumbling program. Tumbling skills are great to use in gymnastics or even sports like cheerleading. Call us today at (417) 732-4100 to get started with tumbling classes.
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