The straddle press to handstand is an impressive move, but many struggle to master it. Don’t worry, because today we’re going to share some fundamental tips that will help you achieve your straddle press to handstand in no time.
Tip 1: Focus on Wall Presses
Begin by finding the ideal hand placement. Start by placing your hands at a comfortable distance from the wall—not too close, not too far. Find a good middle ground for this.
1. Start by Positioning Your Head
To begin, place your head gently against the wall. Make sure your elbow pits are facing forward. This position helps to align your body correctly and gives you a solid foundation to build on.
2. Move Your Shoulders to the Wall
Next, place your shoulders against the wall. The main point of this movement is to roll your back up the wall as you bring your legs up, ensuring it’s slow and controlled. This ensures you engage the right muscles and maintain balance. If you find that you need to jump a little at first to get your legs up, that’s okay. The important part is focusing on a controlled descent.
3. Gradually Adjust Your Hand Placement
Now, start bringing your hands closer to the wall bit by bit. The goal is to eventually avoid jumping altogether. However, as you’re getting a feel for this movement, it’s perfectly fine to place your hands a bit further away from the wall. As you become more comfortable and confident, aim to reduce the distance between your hands and the wall.
Tip 2: Focus on The Floor Prep
Now that you’ve nailed down the wall presses, it’s time to tackle the next step: freestanding floor prep. This is where you’ll start to build the foundation for performing handstands without the support of a wall.
Proper Form is Key
As you begin, focus on maintaining proper form. Roll your back forward, rounding it gently, and rise up onto your toes. Simultaneously, extend your legs, but don’t worry about pressing up into the handstand just yet.
Mastering the Initial Prep
In this initial stage, the goal is to get comfortable with the movement and ensure that your positioning is correct. Concentrate on the sequence of actions – rolling the back, rising onto the toes, and extending the legs.
Tip 3: Extend the Legs Outward
With a solid foundation in wall and floor practice, it’s time to focus on perfecting the standing straddle press handstand.
- Optimizing Hand Placement
Start by placing your hands on the floor at shoulder-width apart, with your fingers spread out for better stability. Make sure your hands aren’t too far forward or too close to your body to avoid disrupting your balance and alignment.
- Rolling Back and Going Up on Toes
To kick off your floor prep, start by rolling your back. This action not only engages your core but also helps you find your center of balance. Next, rise up onto your toes. This movement further activates your muscles and sets the stage for the subsequent steps.
- Extending the Legs and Locking Them
With your back rolled and on your toes, it’s time to extend your legs outward. As you do so, make sure to keep them locked – this creates a solid base for the handstand. Simultaneously, focus on pulling your hips up as high as possible. This action not only strengthens your core but also helps you achieve the desired vertical position.
- Mastering the Straddle Hold
In the initial stages, concentrate on mastering the straddle hold. This involves maintaining the extended leg position while keeping your hips lifted. Hold this posture for as long as you can, focusing on control and stability. Once you feel comfortable with the straddle hold, gradually lower your feet back to the ground.
- Bringing Feet Together
Once you’ve mastered the basic straddle hold, it’s time to challenge yourself further. Bring your feet together while maintaining the extended leg position. Again, focus on controlled movements – there’s no need to rush or jump at any point during this exercise.
In conclusion, mastering this movement requires diligent effort. It won’t happen overnight, so commit to putting in the work. Spend quality time focusing on the basic tips, and you’ll see progress.
