Expert: Kelly Fitzpatrick - 9/15/2006

Question
okay.
This is my third to cheer and i'm still working on a simple backhandspring. i just dont know what it is. i know my body can do it. the problem is when i swing and go. i CAN'T swing and go. that's were the block is. i know i'll catch myself. and i know i can do, it's just that one part. i've gotten better. but my problem is still there. can anyone help me. Last year i almost didn't go to nationals over this and i can't let my team down. especially not my stunt group. we are amazing and we just got our double down. and my fly is so excited. so someone please help

Answer
Hi Brittany!

It sounds to me like you are thinking to much into your back handsprings. Trust me, Your body knows how to do the back handspring, you don't need to think very much about it at all.

A good drill to get over a fear like this is a running drill. This is completed by running in place until a coach says "GO." As soon as you hear those words you must throw your standing Back handspring. This helps alot of cheerleaders to overcome mental block simply due to the fact that they don't have as much time to over analyze the back handspring and they can now let their body perform the skill instead of their mind.

I hope this helps!
Kelly