Event
Floor exercise

Skill type
Acrobatic

Value
A

Known as
Whip
Whip back

Named after
Sgt. Penelope F. Whip (TTO)

About
The whip back—a back handspring, just without the hand support part—is not a standalone acrobatic element in floor routines but is used in place of back handsprings to gain momentum and, more importantly, connection value in passes culminating in a D+ tumbling element.

(D+ as in D or greater in value, not the grade D+. Although…also that sometimes.)

Two whips together are used in indirect connections for 0.1 (with D elements) or 0.2 (with E elements), while one whip can garner the same bonus when used in a direct connection. So, there’s potentially a lot to be gained by whipping, though most gymnasts do not elect to travel in such a manner.

Also it’s cool looking and such.