Mastery - 5 reps with or without break?

Sorry to start a new topic within such a short time frame!

But something came to my head today and I do not know the answer!

At the press handstand progression it says "to complete mastery, you must be able to perform 5 sets of 5 reps."

I am at pHS/SE14, so the last step. Does it mean I have to to 5 sets of 5 consecutive presses? L-Sit Pike Press  L-Sit Pike Press L-Sit Pike Press without stopping? Same for the other progressions. For example standing Pike Press. Does it mean 5 times press up and down without letting the feet touch the ground? Or is a break of just 5 seconds allowed?

I always thought that it means 5 presses in a row even without a very short break.

Hope some one can help me?
 

Zach Armijo said:

Correct, 5 in a row. If you must take a break, it should be in your L sit or in your HS. 

Thanks for the fast reply! But isn't it bad, if you are at Standing Pike Press for example and can not reach 5x5reps yet, to train only the standing presses for a certain number of weeks and completely neglect to train  holding a straddle L or L on the floor and pressing up?

Or is it allowed to still do a stalder presses additionally even if you have not reached mastery in the standing press yet?

Zach Armijo said:

If you have the strength to train the other elements, then by all means, toss in stalders, Ls, straddles, etc... They all feel different and work differently. It's only in the stalders and L-sit Presses that we are combining them. 

 

For the standing pike presses, you can bring your feet back down to reset your form. Tapping the toes on the ground would be IDEAL. 

Ok, I understand, thanks. One more question (SORRY). if you are on pHS/SE14, would you recommend continuing with straddle and stalder presses or is it useless then?

Agreed with Zach. Continue Pike presses and stalder presses for as long as you live!