Hi. I have been working on my backhandspring/roundoff backhandspring for about 6 months now. My coach tells me I already have it and that I should tell him to move. When he does spot, he just touches my back. Occasionally I will do it by myself because he backs away from me. I'm so frustrated because when I am going to do it by myself I freak out and he has to step in to help me. I could use all tips or things you told yourself the first few times you tried it.
Thanks!
Maggie

1. Don't think so much. You have done the hard work and your body knows what it is doing. Its time to turn off your brain and trust your body to do it.

2. make sure you are thinking positively. Your body will respond to your brain. If your brain is saying "I can't do this" or "I'm going to mess up it wont do it". Think positively. Think "I can do this" or just focus on one piece of advice from your coach eg "sit back".

3. Visualize, picture yourself doing the skill perfectly. You brain will respond to this too, if it see's the skill in your mind it will do what it needs to to make it happen.

4. Find a way you can do it. If you can't do it on your own on the floor why not try it on a trampoline or tumble track. Or a mini tramp or springboard onto a soft mat. Or just on a soft mat.

This is some of the best advice my friend says she has ever had, it pretty much follows what RileyA was saying.
Think what you have to do, then visualise yourself doing the move a few times, then forgot everything and just go for it. If it helps don't let anybody but your coach watch you.
Hope it helps, let us know how it goes