What's the difference between a back flip and a back handspring?

Question

probably a stupid question, but i always thought that they were pretty much the same thing. Is there a difference?

Answer 1

back flip you don't put your hands on the ground.

back handspring is like a back flip but extending the hands to the ground and using that leverage to flip over.

Answer 2

In a back handspring, you rotate from your feet to your hands back to your feet. In a back flip, you rotate in the air without making contact with the ground - a handspring minus the hands.

Answer 3

Where I live gymnasts call a back flip what cheerleaders call a back handspring. That is where both hands land on the ground when rotating back wards. Some may even call this a flic flac.

Back flip is when you do the skill mentioned above without hands, either having a straight body or being tucked in a ball. Some may call this a whip, back tuck or a layout.

In different states, countries even just different clubs people call different skills different names. Cheerleaders and gymnasts often do the same skill but change the name.