What Is a Front Handspring in Cheerleading?

Quick answer: a front handspring is a forward tumbling skill in which the athlete springs off the hands through a handstand-like position, landing on both feet at once - faster and more powerful than a front walkover, which lands one foot at a time.

What Does It Look Like?

The athlete steps or hurdles into the skill, places both hands on the ground close together, blocks powerfully off the shoulders, and rotates through a momentary handstand position before snapping the legs down to land on both feet together, facing forward.

Who Is Involved?

Tumbling is performed individually, though multiple athletes typically perform front handsprings together, in unison, as part of a connected tumbling pass.

Where It Fits in a Routine

Front handsprings can be performed standing or with a run-up, and are often connected into short tumbling passes or used as a single connecting element between other skills.

How the Term Is Used

"Front handspring" describes this forward, both-hands, springing skill, distinct from the slower front walkover, which lands one foot at a time without the same springing block.

Related Skills

The front handspring shares its handstand-based shape with the front walkover, and is the forward counterpart to the back handspring, which is generally more common in cheer tumbling passes.

Level / Division Context

Under the USASF All Star rules (2026–27), front handsprings are not allowed at Level 1, which only permits skills that stay in contact with the floor. Handsprings are allowed from Level 2. Athletes usually learn them once they have a solid handstand and front walkover.

What Judges Look For Conceptually

Judges are generally looking for a strong block off the hands, straight body lines through the handstand phase, and a controlled, together landing.