A handspring is a gymnastic move. You put your hands on the floor, throw your feet up and over your head, and land on your feet again — a quick turn-over that uses your hands as the bridge. A front handspring goes forward; a back handspring goes backward. You see it in gymnastics, cheerleading, and playground showing-off. It is a concrete sports word, not a picture-word for something else. Spring here means a sudden jump, like a spring in your step, not the season and not a metal coil. Unlike a handstand, you do not stay upside down. You go over and stand up.