by Dreidle Flare

Created on: September 17, 2009   Last Updated: September 19, 2009

Handstands. They are the most basic skill for any successful gymnast to master. A fundamental skill in the sport of gymnastics, the handstand is ultimately used on all four of the women's events and all six of the men's events, in some form or fashion. Thus, the handstand probably serves as the most key element required in the sport. Here are some tips for learning the proper technique for a perfect handstand!

Test your Strength

If you have never attempted a handstand before, you should test your arm strength first, to see if you are able to support your body weight on your arms and wrists. To do this, find an uncluttered wall. With your stomach facing the wall, climb your feet up the wall as far as you feel comfortable going. Leave you hands flat on the floor, and you feet on the wall. Try to hold this position for 20 seconds. If you cannot hold the entire 20 seconds, stick to the wall handstands until your arm strength improves and it becomes easier. Only when you feel strong and comfortable on the wall should you move on to the next phase.

The Lunge

To start a handstand, you must stand in a lunge. Gymnasts begin and end handstands in a lunge. "Righties" should put their right foot in front of their left, and spread their feet out shoulder width apart. "Lefties" should put their left foot in front. If you are unsure which foot should go in front, climb a flight of stairs and pay attention to which foot you use on the first stair. This foot is usually your stronger side, or your "good foot", in the gymnastics world. This foot goes in front. Once your feet are in place, bend your front knee slightly. Keep your back knee straight, and put your arms up straight over your head.

The Kick

With the lunge position mastered, you are ready to kick. Put your hands flat on the floor, keeping your arms straight, while simultaneously kicking your back leg up first. If your arms collapse under your body weight, its probably safer to go back to doing handstands on the wall for a while. This will help your arms get used to carrying your body weight. If you don't collapse, that's great! Just remember to keep your arms straight until you come down, otherwise you will probably be landing on your head. Once your legs are both in the air, try to bring them together as quickly as possible. If you find that your feet are touching, but you are not in a vertical position, don't fret. Kicking up to a vertical handstand will take practice. Take a mental note of how high you are kicking

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