Straddle-L hand positioning

When doing a Straddle-L, what is the ideal hand positioning? Does it matter?

I've tried doing it on a ledge, similar to how slizzardman shows in one of his videos. I seem to have lots of balance issues when doing this. However, if I use a chair, and place my hands on the sides or corners (fingers pointed out 45 or 90 degrees), balance is significantly easier, and it starts feeling more like a static hold.

Fingers out to the side seems to emulate an eventual XR straddle-l, so I hope this is acceptable for the early stages. If it matters, I'm working on the bent progression, to a 60s max, but can hold a low straddle-l for around 10 seconds

On floor, most people do it with hands shoulder width and the fingers slightly turned out similar to your general positioning for handstands.

That's generally how I teach it. For TOPS, doing it with the hands turned out to sides or excessively turned out like on rings actually disqualifies a gymnast.

Blairbob said:

That's generally how I teach it. For TOPS, doing it with the hands turned out to sides or excessively turned out like on rings actually disqualifies a gymnast.

Why is that? Is it because it's easier?

As someone who is never going to compete, I'm ok with half-assed hand positioning

thems the rules.