How to do a Handspring Front Tuck Vault
A Handspring Front Tuck Vault is a vault that gymnasts usually learn between Levels 7 and 8, once a Front Handspring Vault is solid.
Also called: handspring front salto, FHS front tuck vault.
Quick facts
| Apparatus | Vault |
|---|---|
| Typical level (estimate) | Levels 7-8 |
| Difficulty (Stickd rating) | 7/10 |
| Time to learn after the prerequisite (estimate) | About 6 weeks |
| Whole progression (estimate) | About 12 weeks from a Front Handspring Vault |
| Fear factor (Stickd rating) | 4/5 |
Levels, ratings and timelines are Stickd estimates for planning, not USAG requirements.
What to learn before a Handspring Front Tuck Vault
Work through these skills in order. Each one is a required step toward a Handspring Front Tuck Vault.
- Front Handspring Vault (Levels 5-6)
Helpful but not required
Step-by-step progression
The path to a Handspring Front Tuck Vault has 2 steps. Week counts are typical estimates for regular training.
- 1
Front Handspring Vault
Learn a Front Handspring Vault until it is solid, usually between Levels 5 and 6. About 6 weeks (estimate).
- 2
Handspring Front Tuck Vault
Learn a Handspring Front Tuck Vault. Allow about 6 weeks once the step before it is solid (estimate).
Drills that build a Handspring Front Tuck Vault
- Handspring Front Tuck Vault Drills
- Handstand Flat Back Vault Drill
- Vault Blocking & Repulsion Drills
- Hurdle to Board Drills
- Front Tuck Progressions
- Stick Landing Drills
- Vault Run & Approach Drills
Technique focus areas: Tuck position, Landing.
What good form looks like
Forward spring with forward rotation in tucked position.
- shoulders: open
- elbows: straight
- knees: tucked
- hips: flexed
Common deductions on a Handspring Front Tuck Vault
| Deduction | What it means | Typically |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-flight Angle | Insufficient angle or height in pre-flight phase | 0.1 |
| Insufficient Post-flight | Not enough height or distance in post-flight phase | 0.1 |
| Body Alignment | Body not in proper line (arch, pike, or lean) | 0.1 |
Typical values; judges scale each deduction by how noticeable it is, and the judges' score is the official one.
Fear and confidence
Stickd rates a Handspring Front Tuck Vault 4 out of 5 for fear. It involves height off the ground, being upside down. Feeling nervous about it is normal, and confidence usually builds step by step through the progression above.
Mental techniques that help
Box Breathing
A 4-count breathing pattern to calm your nervous system before attempting a scary skill.
Positive Self-Talk Reframe
Replace negative fear thoughts with accurate, empowering statements.
Backward Skill Visualization
Close your eyes and mentally rehearse the skill from start to finish, feeling each phase.
Watch an example
Watch a Handspring Front Tuck Vault tutorial on YouTube (opens in a new tab).
Frequently asked questions
- What level do gymnasts learn a Handspring Front Tuck Vault?
- Gymnasts usually learn a Handspring Front Tuck Vault between Levels 7 and 8. That is a typical range, and every gymnast and gym moves at a different pace.
- How long does it take to learn a Handspring Front Tuck Vault?
- About 6 weeks once a Front Handspring Vault is solid, as a rough estimate. Starting from a Front Handspring Vault, the whole progression adds up to about 12 weeks. These are estimates; real timelines vary a lot from gymnast to gymnast.
- What should my gymnast learn before a Handspring Front Tuck Vault?
- Front Handspring Vault comes directly before it. The full progression is Front Handspring Vault, then Handspring Front Tuck Vault. Helpful but not required: Front Tuck.
- What are the most common deductions on a Handspring Front Tuck Vault?
- The ones to watch for are Pre-flight Angle (usually about 0.1), Insufficient Post-flight (usually about 0.1) and Body Alignment (usually about 0.1). Judges scale each deduction by how noticeable it is.
- Is a Handspring Front Tuck Vault scary to learn?
- It can be. Stickd rates its fear factor 4 out of 5 because it involves height off the ground and being upside down. Techniques like Box Breathing and Positive Self-Talk Reframe help gymnasts build confidence.