Started by ChildInTime, August 12, 2015 · 9 Replies · 3,714 Views
Hi, i would like to get some tips on my handstand.
In this one below i'm trying to look in front of me, this allows me to push shoulders even more backwards, but harder to keep balance obviously.
Somehow my butt really sticks out even though i always keep my abs tight.
You think your abs are tight but they aren't.
Cole Dano said:You think your abs are tight but they aren't.
Hmmm I am pretty sure they are because if I relax them I immediately get banana handstand and lean backwards, and I can feel it really well. Are you telling that it's impossible to have tense abs and butt backwards like in my case?
Essentially yes. To prove it, try emulating your HS body position laying on the floor then tighten your abs and see what happens.
Your abs are indeed engaged but they aren't fully engaged, you need to squeeze like the dickens at this stage.
Just want to add on to Cole's comment a bit,
when you "squeeze like the dickens" ( 
), you're gonna have to open those hips up quite a bit more at the same time or you will end up with a nasty pike.
And possibly when you open the hips up, the abs are going to loosen a bit again...and you'll just oscillate back and forth like that with great frustration until you figure out how to do contract the abs yet open the hips at the same time. Just a heads up, I went through the same exact issue last year and it was a tedious process. It's not the most natural of movements telling the body parts essentially go in opposite directions.
Micawberian said:Just want to add on to Cole's comment a bit,
when you "squeeze like the dickens" (
And possibly when you open the hips up, the abs are going to loosen a bit again...and you'll just oscillate back and forth like that with great frustration until you figure out how to do contract the abs yet open the hips at the same time. Just a heads up, I went through the same exact issue last year and it was a tedious process. It's not the most natural of movements telling the body parts essentially go in opposite directions.
Yeah I get your point. Actually i know feel like i am completely straight but apparently not.
Cheers guys
You need to be squeezing your glutes, that will help fix the alignment of your hips.
Three things and you'll have a very nice line:
- ribs in (not just abs tight)
- PPT, ie, lower back & glutes tight
- practice the 3 head positions including chin to chest
Chest to the wall and back to the wall drills along with the 3 head positions will help you know that you are in a nice line. Also work on gripping a bit more with the knuckles, some of your adjustments are too big and should be finer.
I dont think this has to do with abs, glutes or midsection at all. This is a shoulder issue above all. They look completely open in relation to the upper back but if forced to place the legs straight on top, I am sure your shoulders would go forwards. The reason your hips are over is because with the current flexibility, strength and position in your shoulders you can not move the hips into line without your shoulders compensating.
It is very noticable in the second clip. When the hips go in, the legs arch over. When you pike the shoulders go forwards. For now there needs to be weight outside the bodyline for you to not break shoulder line. For your hips to stay completely straight you would need to planche your shoulders a bit.
The main reason I think this is the issue is because your sense of balance is relatively well developed. The corrections you do in the second clip are many and with that much movement in the body it requires good control. With that level of control it should not be complicated for you to straighten the hips on top if your shoulders are well placed. I might be wrong, but do a headstand and see if you can be straight in that. If thats the case, Im right. This is one of the absolutely most misunderstood things about handstands.
The other advice you have gotten in this thread is all sound and you should keep that in mind, but these factors are most likely not the reason you can not straighten.
Wall handstands while focusing on pulling your sternum in, tuck handstands facing the wall with shins on the wall and flexibility work are some suggestions of things that can help.
thanks everyone
Handbalancer said:I dont think this has to do with abs, glutes or midsection at all. This is a shoulder issue above all. They look completely open in relation to the upper back but if forced to place the legs straight on top, I am sure your shoulders would go forwards. The reason your hips are over is because with the current flexibility, strength and position in your shoulders you can not move the hips into line without your shoulders compensating.
It is very noticable in the second clip. When the hips go in, the legs arch over. When you pike the shoulders go forwards. For now there needs to be weight outside the bodyline for you to not break shoulder line. For your hips to stay completely straight you would need to planche your shoulders a bit.
The main reason I think this is the issue is because your sense of balance is relatively well developed. The corrections you do in the second clip are many and with that much movement in the body it requires good control. With that level of control it should not be complicated for you to straighten the hips on top if your shoulders are well placed. I might be wrong, but do a headstand and see if you can be straight in that. If thats the case, Im right. This is one of the absolutely most misunderstood things about handstands.
The other advice you have gotten in this thread is all sound and you should keep that in mind, but these factors are most likely not the reason you can not straighten.
Wall handstands while focusing on pulling your sternum in, tuck handstands facing the wall with shins on the wall and flexibility work are some suggestions of things that can help.
good point, agree with you. I think when my butt sticks, I lean backwards and can more easily balance handstand because I just push with my fingers to counter that. When my I am completely straight it's harder to balance because now there is less weight in the back and I have very little margin of error. In case my weight moves to the belly side I cannot do much apart from using shoulders or doing pushup (which is kind of cheating). Not sure if you understand what I meant.
Thanks!
P.s. I'll try to fix it and upload new video soon.