Fear of back handspring

[cheerch]

Okay. I have issues when I do my bhs. I feel like I am going to hit my head and I chicken out!! How do I overcome my fear so I can pull it off??

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[CHSCheercoach]

[The best thing i can tell you as a coach and someone who has been there, is take it slow start on a trampoline and throw it wthout a spot until your comfortable then move to a tumble track to a spring floor and then the regular floor.  That usually seems to work,  fear comes with not having confidence.  If you feel confident you wont think about falling on your head and you'll be fine.  Best of Luck. 

[rockymountaincoach]

First off fear of landing on your head is a very logical one so don't feel like you are the only person to go through this.

My advice to you would be to find some one who is experienced at teaching tumbling and ask them for help. This isn't because you arent capable of doing bhs but because if you have a fear of landing on your head, even throwing repetitively, your body will start to compensate another way ie. looking over your shoulder, undercutting etc. With an experienced instructor you can throw your bhs with the confidence that you wont hit your head, this will allow you to just concentrate on your technique.

ps a good instructor/ coach will know how to gradually spot less while still making you feel comfortable and eventually take him/herself out of the equation.

[LetsGoGreen]

I agree with rockymountaincoach. You should have a coach or someone who can give you advice and help spot your bhs. If you're not in a gymnastics program already, I would look into facilities that have open gym time. In addition to the trampoline and tumble track, cheese mats can be a big help as well. It might to take a while so don't get too frustrated... just be confident!

[cheerhelp19]

this worked for me
try thinking about why you dont want to do your flip flop
hurt ur head ro stuff like that
and then think if there is anything that could possibly be bad about you getting your flip flop
mine was i would make the team with the pshyo coach i had the year before
once i got past it i could do it