THE BACK-HANDSPRING PROGRESSION : Page 137

Fig. 114. Stretching Hip Muscles.

Fig. 115. Stretching Shoulder Muscles.

ROUND OFF

START WITH A SHORT RUN AND END IT WITH A SKIP OR SCUFF ON RIGHT FOOT (a);

AS WEIGHT GOES FORWARD ON LEFT FOOT WHIP ARMS DOWN FAST, CROSSING RIGHT OVER LEFT (b);

BEND AT THE WAIST—NOT AT THE SHOULDERS (b); THE HANDS SHOULD BE ALMOST TOGETHER (b);

THIS IMMEDIATE TWIST OF THE UPPER BODY (b and c) GIVES A FASTER AND CLOSER TURN AND SNAP DOWN;

FEET SHOULD BE TOGETHER IN INVERTED POSITION (d);

KEEP ELBOWS STRAIGHT THROUGHOUT;

GET A GOOD SHOULDER PUSH FOR THE SNAP DOWN (d);

LAND FLAT-FOOTED, FACING THE STARTING POSITION, WITH ARMS UP (f).