Coaches Back handspring hand placement on balance beam

[estamey21]

Short question: Which hand should be in front in a BHS on balance beam?

Longer question: There seems to be a lot of hand placement styles for beam back handsprings. What is the thought process behind choosing a specific hand placement?

 

[Gymnast10!]

I put my dominant hand in front.

I would think whatever hand placement feels most comfortable to the gymnast is what should be used in the BHS.

I almost have my BHS on high beam so hope this helps!

 

[Mthegymqueen]

I was told whatever leg you put in front for your bhs, putting your OPPOSITE hand in front is the easiest to make sure you hips stay squared.

 

[GymnastMomX2]

I was always taught opposite hand in front, and that’s also what my daughter and her teammates do.

 

[GymnastMomX2]

I put my dominant hand in front.

I always thought this was “wrong”, but I’m curious to see some coaches chime in. Obviously it’s working for you.

 

[Gymnast10!]

I was told whatever leg you put in front for your bhs, putting your OPPOSITE hand in front is the easiest to make sure you hips stay squared.

Hmmmm I guess that makes sense but it seems to work fine for me. So I think either works but non dominant is probably better. Doing what’s natural and comfortable is best!

 

[&bs]

For gymnasts with good shoulder and hip flexibility, I don’t think it matters, they are able to stay square with either hand in front. For those with poor flexibility, putting the non dominant hand in front actually allows them to turn their shoulders and hands sideways (think backwards cartwheel). For this reason I favour same hand and leg..

 

[GymnastPotterhead]

all the coaches at my gym coach non dominant hand in front to stay square but I think we had a couple gymnasts who learnt dominant in front and they were fine.

 

[estamey21]

putting the non dominant hand in front actually allows them to turn their shoulders and hands sideways (think backwards cartwheel)

Interesting! I never thought about it in terms of a “backwards cartwheel”.