teaching press to handstand

As a coach I love press to handstand. (As a gymnast, I couldn’t do one. I was inflexible and “instrong”.)

Coach Brian Bakalar posted yet another excellent instructional geared for parents:

… the Press Handstand requires flexibility, specifically in the hips. As the legs rotate upward to a Handstand, they go through a very wide straddle. The better the flexibility, the lesser the requirements of strength in the Press Handstand. Regardless of flexibility, the skill does require intense strength.

In 2007 press handstand is as important as ever for boys. But girls only really need that specific strength for bars. It’s possible, though not desirable, to be a good gymnast without press.

The critical “action” is lifting the hips without leaning forward too far with the shoulders:

read the whole article – Gymnastics Revolution – Parents – The Press Handstand