A young gymnast is performing a back handspring. Photo Credit Sasha Samardzija/iStock/Getty Images. To do a handspring, you start from a standing position, then leap backward. As you fall, you arch your back to land on your hands, then spring up off your hands to land on your feat.This difficult maneuver is a hallmark of experienced gymnasts. young gymnast is performing a back handspring. Photo Credit Sasha Samardzija/iStock/Getty Images. To do a handspring, you start from a standing position, then leap backward. As you fall, you arch your back to land on your hands, then spring up off your hands to land on your feat.