How to Do Acrobat Stunts
Acrobatic stunts -- whether performed for a gymnastics routine, cheerleading performance or entertainment -- require skill and training as well as appropriate equipment. Failing to supply these elements can cause the stunts to become dangerous and possibly result in injury. Stunts range in difficulty, depending on the skill level of the performer. Always keep a spotter on hand for difficult stunts or stunts that are new to you. Wear comfortable -- but not loose or baggy -- clothing. Clothes that are too loose can cause your limbs to be caught accidentally in the folds of the clothes, which can result in injury.
Instructions
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Back Walk-Over
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1
Lay out gym mats to create a soft surface that will limit the impact of falling and create buoyancy for the acrobatic moves.
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2
Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart, with your right foot slightly in front of your left and your hands raised above your head. Your weight should be primarily on the left foot.
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3
Look up to your hands and reach backward, arching your back, toward the mat. If you were to freeze in this position, your body would form an arch on the floor.
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4
Pull your right foot and leg up toward the sky as soon as your hands touch the mat, with the left foot following. If you were to freeze in this position, you would be in a handstand with your legs in a split.
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5
Pull your right foot to the ground and snap the left one to the ground after it, returning to a standing position.
Back Handspring
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6
Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart and your hands raised above your head. Keep your knees loose and not locked straight, with a slight bend in them to prepare your legs for a push off from the ground.
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7
Jump straight up into the air as high as possible. Reach your arms back to reach for the ground, arching your back, when you reach the highest point in the jump.
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8
Swing your legs overhead, so that in the brief moment your hands touch the ground, you are in a handstand position. Keep your legs as tight and straight as possible.
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9
Snap your feet and legs back toward the ground, bouncing off of your hands when they touch the ground, to complete the handspring.
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1
Tips & Warnings
Amateurs often make the mistake of jumping backward in a handspring, reaching for the ground immediately. To perform a handspring, first gain the height necessary for the stunt. The upward jump is critical.
Never perform a stunt with which you are not completely comfortable without a spotter or proper equipment, like mats. A spotter should be kneeling or standing at your side, ready to guide you through the movement if necessary. The spotter can keep his hands at or near your lower back, ready to offer support if you need it. The spotter can also give your legs a push to help fuel the momentum needed to flip them over your head in a back walk-over or a back handspring.
References
- Photo Credit gymnast on the beach image by Elena Koulik from Fotolia.com
