Quick tip: Handstands on beam

Hi All,

Today I’m going to talk about handstands on beam. I know a lot of coaches struggle to get their kids “all the way” upside down. We end up seeing a lot of kids doing 3/4 handstands for any number of reasons, but more often than not it’s because they are scared. I have a few ways I try to combat this with my gymnasts. One of them is handstand forward rolls (which I’ll talk about in another post), but my favorite one probably is pike handstands (I like pike handstands a lot in general). I think they help with shaping, confidence, strength and a bunch of other things.

This first picture is where I start when I start handstands on beam (well this and needles). From the beginning I want the gymnast to understand what having their hips over their head feels like.

Once they can do that step well I have them start lifting their leg. I have them do it on both legs alternating (holding for about 10 seconds).

I hope this helps your gymnasts handstands!

Train hard!