Women Press handstands

[Gym_momma]

There seems to be such a focus on press handstands at a young age (eg. Tops testing). Any advice for a young gymnast who struggles to make her Press? Hopefully doesn't preclude a gymnast from reaching higher level options down the road.

 

[Dahlialover]

Almost all young gymnasts struggle with press handstands. Building up the strength and technique to accomplish this skill takes time and practice. And kids lose this skill pretty easily too. It’s just a thing to keep working on.

 

[Gymgirl84]

Press handstands are a good indicator of a good flexibility-strength-body weight ratio. Which usually correlates with good physical qualities for gymnastics. But it is not absolute and there have been good successful level 10/elite/ncaa gymnasts that struggled with them.
Also, it is very common for some high level gymnasts to lose it after growth.

 

[Geoffrey Taucer]

There seems to be such a focus on press handstands at a young age (eg. Tops testing). Any advice for a young gymnast who struggles to make her Press? Hopefully doesn't preclude a gymnast from reaching higher level options down the road.

Gotta be honest: I've never understood why women's programs tend put so much emphasis on presses at a young age. It would make more sense for men's programs, since MAG uses presses on every event except vault. But for women, the only place you really need it is for cast handstands on bars, and a cast handstand is imo much easier than a press because you can swing into it.

Don't get me wrong: it's certainly not a bad thing to have that amount of strength and flexibility. But not having a press at a young age doesn't in any way preclude making it to the upper levels.

 

[BusyMomof2]

Our former gym used press handstands as one of the major gateways into compulsory vs. xcel track. My daughter lost hers recently after growing several inches and the only other skill that became temporarily challenging was cast handstands. She's since figured it out but all that to say - it's a good skills to continuously hone but don't be alarmed if it comes and goes, especially after a growth spurt.

 

[GymnastMomX2]

My older daughter was never able to do a press handstand, she was training level 9 when she left the sport. My younger daughter was able to do them at a young age, and at some point could easily do like 5+ in a row. She’s a 15 year old level 10 now and I’m honestly not sure if she can even do one anymore. All that to say, I wouldn’t stress too much if she can’t do one, I don’t think they are that important.

 

[GymDadWA]

If you haven't seen it, Nastia and Shawn Johnson try them as adults.