Scott Hamilton’s backflip is his signature, crowd-pleasing move: a full back somersault on ice that was illegal in amateur competition, so he saved it for exhibition and later professional events.

What is the Scott Hamilton backflip?

  • It is a true gymnastics-style backflip performed on figure skates, taking off from the ice and landing back on the blades.
  • Very few skaters have ever done it because of the extreme difficulty and risk of head, neck, or spinal injury if the rotation or landing goes wrong.

Hamilton made the backflip famous in the 1980s as a signature element of his show programs, and it became part of his public persona as much as his Olympic title.

Why was the backflip illegal?

  • U.S. Figure Skating and Olympic rules banned somersault-type jumps (like backflips), so they were not allowed in eligible competition programs.
  • Judges could penalize a skater for performing one, even in certain pro-style technical events, because it fell outside the standard jump rules.

Because of this, Hamilton did not use the backflip when he won his 1984 Olympic gold medal; instead, he relied on conventional triple jumps and strong figures.

Where did he actually use it?

  • As an amateur, he slipped the backflip into exhibition programs—non‑scored performances after events—to thrill crowds without risking competition scores.
  • After turning professional in 1984, he regularly used the backflip in pro competitions and tours, including televised pro-ams where he sometimes paired it with another jump (like a double Axel) in the same sequence.

This made the “Scott Hamilton backflip” a staple of shows and TV specials, often treated as the big finale moment audiences were waiting to see.

Has he stopped doing the backflip?

  • By the 2010s, Hamilton had largely retired the move due to age and health concerns, including multiple battles with cancer and brain tumors.
  • A 2016 profile noted that he had not performed the backflip since 2010 and was unlikely to perform it again, though it also emphasized his history of “defying the odds,” so fans never fully rule out surprises.

Given the physical load and his medical history, the backflip today is remembered more as a legendary highlight than something he actively performs.

Why is it still a trending topic?

  • Figure skating fans on forums and social platforms regularly share clips of Hamilton’s backflip and ask about old TV specials where he performed it.
  • Threads in 2024–2025 show people trying to track down specific performances—especially emotional or rare televised appearances that featured the backflip—often as a way to surprise longtime fans or parents who loved his skating.

So when you see “Scott Hamilton backflip” trending now, it is usually:

  • Fans hunting for vintage footage.
  • Nostalgia posts about 1980s and 1990s pro-ams and tours.
  • Articles and podcasts that highlight his career, with the backflip as the symbol of his daring style.

TL;DR: Scott Hamilton’s backflip is a banned-in-competition, high‑risk somersault on ice that became his trademark in exhibitions and pro events; he hasn’t done it since around 2010, but clips, memories, and fan searches keep “Scott Hamilton backflip” very much alive online.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.