Description:

The handstand is considered as one of the most important fundamental skills in gymnastic, however currently available gymnastics textbooks and scientific literature fails to provide a systematic and practical approach to training this skill to a beginner with an advanced and progressional focus. The aim of this article is to provide coaches with a progressional model to teaching the handstand to beginner gymnast based on theoretical and contemporary skill training methods available in scientific and textbook literature. This was achieved through an examination of relevant research studies available through Medline, modern gymnastic textbooks/coaching manuals, and the author’s personal knowledge and experience. The model presented suggests 4 stages of development/progression of the handstand, with a unique approach to refining the gymnast’s proprioceptive and kinesthetic awareness for maintaining balance. It is also hypothesized that through improved proprioceptive and kinesthetic awareness the gymnast will be able to master dynamic handstand control much more effectively allowing for the improved learning of advanced gymnastics elements.