The skill starts in an L-sit. The body is in vertical, between the arms. The buttocks should not be behind the arms. The gymnast slowly raises their buttocks in a piked position until they extend the shoulder angle and the feet lift over the bars. At that moment the body and the arms should create one straight line vertically. After that, the legs open in straddle and raise until the gymnast reaches handstand. The arms and legs are straight.
Place the hands on the floor at the width of the shoulders. The legs are open in a straddle, slightly wider than the position of the hands. The gymnast should be on their tippy toes and transfer their body weight onto the arms. When the feet take off from the ground, the legs should raise sideways and unite in a handstand. During the performance do not break the shoulder angle. The legs and arms should be tight. The head is slightly open, following the hands.
From a straddled L-sit on the floor, place the hands at shoulder width, tighten the arms and raise the straight legs over horizontal. Begin to raise the legs in a straddled pike position and simultaneously clean the shoulder angle. When reaching the vertical position with the arms, shoulders and the body are in one line, gradually begin to raise the legs and finish in a handstand with the legs together. During the execution of the skill, the legs and arms are completely tight.
The handstand on parallel bars is an “A” difficulty skill. It’s a common connection skill in most optional routines. It also exists in the level 5 routine as a bonus. In order to perform the skill on the bars, the bar’s width should be fixed at the proper distance (usually at the width of the gymnast’s shoulders). A handstand involves holding a tight body position in an inverted vertical position, balancing on one’s hands. The most basic form of a handstand involves the arms and legs being completely straight. The feet should remain together. This makes balancing easier. During the handstand, the glutei and back should be tight, and the head should be in a neutral position, with the eyes watching the hands. It’s very important not to watch the hands with the head back, as this can lead to arching through the entire back. The shoulder angle should be completely straight, and the body should be stretched. As the handstand improves, more difficult modifications of the skill can be performed.
The L-sit is classified as difficulty “A” in the Code of Points. It also exists in almost any USAG compulsory level routine.This drill starts from a straight body position on the parallel bars. The gymnast’s hands should be placed on the bars at shoulder width. The gymnast should keep their arms tight and lift their legs to a horizontal position. The legs should be straight while the gymnast holds this position for two seconds. The hips should be between the arms (not behind). The head is slightly up.
The spotter helps the gymnast to execute the press handstand with correct technique. The gymnast should perform this skill for a series of repetitions.
Integral part of gymnastics coaching process are skill drills. They help gymnasts to learn easier and technically correct. With GYM DRILL PRO you will find variety of ideas for the most the basic gymnastics skills. There are plenty of images with skill drill progressions. It is intended to support explicitly the qualified coaches in their daily coaching business. DO NOT practice without the guidance of proper professionals.