When doing a standing back handspring do you swing?

Answer 1

You should stand tall with your feet together, and your arms either straight in front of you or by your ears (by your ears is better because it reminds you to swing them back up to catch you and block off). Make sure your hands are ready to catch you. Bend slightly like you are about to sit in a chair (but don't bend down too far or you will not get enough spring). Push off hard with your feet and arch backward like you would in a limber, block off your hands keeping your arms locked or you will land on your head. Then snap down your feet to land. Do not try this without a coach. I guess the answer after all of that is yes you do swing but there is a lot more to it than that.