neckspring

English

Etymology

neck +‎ spring

Noun

neckspring (plural necksprings)

1. (gymnastics) A move in which the gymnast starts by lying on his or her back, moves as if into a backwards roll, but then whips the legs upward and forward while pushing off to land on the feet.
   • 1965, Walter G. Dunn, Gymnastics for Schools: Vaulting & Agilities, page 134:

     Continue without pause into a neckspring and, from the landing face-roll to hand-stand - pike again - and neckspring to stand.

   • 1968, James A. Baley, An illustrated guide to tumbling, page 72:

     The candlestick and bridge are prerequisite to the nexspring.

   • 1968, Frank F. Musker, Donald Rex Casady, Leslie William Irwin, A guide to gymnastics, page 160:

     Before attempting the neckspring vault from the side horse, the performer should first master the neckspring and headspring from the floor or a rolled mat.

   • 1999, H.C. Dubey, Dph Sports Series-Gymnastics, →ISBN, page 3:

     For example, a gymnast could tuck toward the end of a neckspring and thereby increase angular velocity.

Verb

neckspring (third-person singular simple present necksprings, present participle neckspringing, simple past and past participle neckspringed)

1. (gymnastics) To perform a neckspring.
   • 1965, Walter G. Dunn, Gymnastics for Schools: Vaulting & Agilities, page 134:

     Continue without pause into a neckspring and, from the landing face-roll to hand-stand - pike again - and neckspring to stand.

   • 1965, Walter G. Dunn, Gymnastics for Schools: Vaulting & Agilities, page 133:

     Reach quickly forward to touch toes with finger-tips and then perform an immediate backward-roll on to shoulders and hands bringing the straight legs overhead to a pike-position. A slight pause - then neckspring.