The width of the pancake/straddle

I am working on my Pancake flexibility for future press to handstand work. My pike is quite good as I can lay my face on my shins.

My question is, should I stretch my Pancake/straddle (difference between the two?) width as wide as I would do a straddle press handstand?

No, do not perform your pancake as wide as possible.  Pancake should be performed with your legs only as wide apart as you can still wrap your hands around your feet.  

Yours in Fitness,

Coach Sommer

Coach Sommer said:

No, do not perform your pancake as wide as possible.  Pancake should be performed with your legs only as wide apart as you can still wrap your hands around your feet.  

 

Yours in Fitness,

Coach Sommer

Will the width of my pancake not change as I get more flexible?

No, because it's a defined width already. 

If we were talking about pike it would be obvious, because the feet are together in a defined position.

But I'm thinking that the lower I can get my upperbody (chest) to the ground the wider I can spread my arms (think like an iron cross), then I have to spread my legs wider because it will be more withing my reach?

Hollow Man said:

But I'm thinking that the lower I can get my upperbody (chest) to the ground the wider I can spread my arms (think like an iron cross), then I have to spread my legs wider because it will be more withing my reach?

Should not be a significant difference between the two.  The width of the legs/arms is measured from the bottom of the pancake with the chest on the floor.

Yours in fitness,

Coach Sommer