Gymnastics Explained

Back handspring

A backward jump onto the hands and back over onto the feet. The Code of Points calls it a flic-flac; it links most backward tumbling and is the second half of a Yurchenko vault entry.

A back handspring takes the gymnast backward from the feet, onto the hands and back onto the feet in one continuous movement. The Codes of Points call it a flic-flac; in the UK it is also widely called a “flick” or “flick-flack”.

It’s one of the most important linking skills in the sport:

  • Tumbling. On floor, round-offs and back handsprings build speed into backward saltos. In women’s floor, saltos linked through a round-off or back handspring count as an “indirect” connection.
  • Beam. A back handspring to both feet and a back handspring step-out are both B-value elements on beam, and are among the few skills the Code allows a gymnast to repeat to earn connection value and series bonus.
  • Vault. In a Yurchenko vault, the gymnast performs a round-off onto the springboard and then a back handspring onto the table — which is why the Code describes that entry as “round-off, flic-flac on”.

As with every skill, it’s learned progressively under a qualified coach.

Related guides

  • Beam Acrobatic Series Explained

    A beam acrobatic series links two or more acrobatic flight skills directly along the beam, with no step or pause between them. One series — including a salto — is a composition requirement, and series earn connection value and a series bonus.

  • What Is a Yurchenko Vault?

    A Yurchenko vault starts with a round-off onto the springboard, a back handspring onto the vaulting table, then one or more saltos and/or twists before landing.

  • Floor Tumbling Passes: How Routines Are Built

    A tumbling pass — an 'acro line' in the women's Code — is a run of linked acrobatic skills performed across the floor, usually corner to corner. Both Codes set rules on how many passes count, how they use the floor, and what the final one must be.

Related terms

  • Round-off

    A cartwheel-like skill with a quarter turn, landing on both feet facing back the way the gymnast came. It's the usual entry for backward tumbling and Yurchenko vaults.

  • Handspring

    A forward movement from the feet onto the hands and over onto the feet again. It's the entry for the simplest family of vaults.

  • Acro line

    In women's floor, a tumbling pass of at least two directly connected flight elements, one of them a salto. Up to four acro lines count, and the last counting one is the dismount.

  • Series bonus

    On balance beam, an extra 0.10 for linking three or more skills together (at least B + B + C), on top of connection value.

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