A back walkover is an acrobatic maneuver in which a person transitions from a standing position to a gymnastic back bridge and then back to a standing position again, undergoing one complete rotation of the body in the process. Back walkovers are commonly performed in a variety of athletic activities, including acro dance

Acro dance

Acro dance is a style of dance that combines classical dance technique with precision acrobatic elements. It is defined by its athletic character, its unique choreography, which seamlessly blends dance and acrobatics, and its use of acrobatics in a dance context...

, cheerleading

Cheerleading

Cheerleading is a physical activity, sometimes a competitive sport, based on organized routines, usually ranging from one to three minutes, which contain the components of tumbling, dance, jumps, cheers, and stunting to direct spectators of events to cheer on sports teams at games or to participate...

, and rhythmic gymnastics

Rhythmic gymnastics

Rhythmic gymnastics is a sport in which individuals or teams of competitors manipulate one or two pieces of apparatus: rope, clubs, hoop, ball, ribbon and Free . An individual athlete only manipulates 1 apparatus at a time...

. In artistic gymnastics

Artistic gymnastics

Artistic gymnastics is a discipline of gymnastics where gymnasts perform short routines on different apparatus, with less time for vaulting . The sport is governed by the Federation Internationale de Gymnastique , which designs the Code of Points and regulates all aspects of international elite...

, back walkovers are performed in floor exercises and on the balance beam.

The back walkover maneuver begins in a standing position. The back is increasingly arched and abdominal muscles are stretched until hands touch the floor and hands and feet rest flat on the floor, thus forming a gymnastic back bridge. While in the bridge position, one leg is rapidly raised from the floor so as to impart momentum to the lower body. This momentum lifts the lower body—including the other leg—away from the floor so that all body weight is supported by the hands. Both hands are kept flat on the floor while the body rotates backward through a handstand

Handstand

A handstand is the act of supporting the body in a stable, inverted vertical position by balancing on the hands. In a basic handstand the body is held straight with arms and legs fully extended, with hands spaced approximately shoulder-width apart...

. The handstand is controlled until first one foot, and then the other, reach the floor. When both feet are on the floor, the performer returns to an erect standing position.

Variations

• In a one-handed walkover, only one hand is placed on the floor.
• A valdez is a back walkover that begins in a sitting position.
• A backwards kickover or bridge kickover is a back walkover with a pause in the bridge position.