Started by Daniel Stephan, April 4, 2015 · 7 Replies · 3,265 Views
Hello!
When I do a handstand, there is always an angle in my elbow (I've attached a picture of my handstand and integrated some lines to visualize what I mean). My forearm is parallel to my back, but my upper arm is inclined.
I don't see that same angle in top handbalancers like Yuval Ayalon for example.
So I'm curious what exactly causes this, is it a matter of insufficient shoulder flexion, different elbow rotation, too much protraction of the scapula or some other reason?
high level of protraction gives the same level of visual impact, to be sure that it is not the case of poor flexion you can follow step by step the H1 approach
Thanks for the quick answer!
The funny thing is, when I do shoulder flexions, that angle doesn't seem to be there despite protracting.
Should I focus more on elevation and not so much protraction while in a handstand? Would that be working towards fixing the angle?
both of them
For me, my arms straightened out as my flexibility (active/passive) got better.
Hmm, isn't this simply simply a hyperextended elbow... which either you have, either you haven't - and that fact you cannot change I read here??
Your pictures are from the wrong angle, the elbow is a hinge joint and fully extended is different for everyone. Many excellent gymnasts and hand-balancers have arms that extend past straight. Watch Raw-Art "Question" on Youtube to see someone with more elbow mobility than Yuval.
This article shows the photo angle that would be more useful to see what your fully extended arm looks like:
http://balletshoesandbobbypins.com/double-jointed-the-real-story
Oh no! the Raw-Art series. Featuring angsty, melancholic eastern europeans handbalancing to sad music 
In seriousness though, that guy does have some serious elbow mobility, I was shocked actually. If you look at his forearm in the regular HS, the posterior line of the forearm is perpendicular to the ground. While people with normal elbows will have the anterior forearm perpendicular to the ground. If I put my forearms in the same position as him it would take me into a reverse planche.
Actually, as Handbalancer mentioned on this forum, hyperextension is useful b/c it will let you keep the shoulder slightly closed while still maintaining a proper line. Lucky people, I suppose.