Rings handstand-why arched?

Hi all,

I was just wondering why is it that many people who perform a handstand on rings (even pro's) have a slight srch in their back that isn't as obvious as when performed on floor? Is it the fact that all aspects on the rings is that much harder or is it something else?

Thanks

Arching lets you engage the chest pushing muscles a bit more. Sometimes certain gymnasts have tight shoulders or off form.

It's because it REALLY FREAKING HARD to

1. lock out the arms

2. turn out the rings to parallel or more

3. keep the nice hollow shape on top of 1 and 2

4. do handstands AFTER most of the major strength elements (maltese, inverted cross, planche, etc.) that involved the shoulders.

All that being said, Yuri Van Gelder has a pretty straight handstand on rings!

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The great Chinese Champion, Li Jing, had an exceptional still ring handstand as well. The video clip above is from the Still Ring event finals at the 1992 Olympics.

Yours in Fitness,

Coach Sommer

very clean. It's funny how evry element counts, even a L-seat and a handstand Back then rutines were so much easier, but they were all allarounders....