Cast to Handstand Drill - Beth Gardner

[mseastbay]

I posted a video response (if it gets approved) with my video of this same drill from my channel, and it shows kids doing it with excellent shapes, so it should help diffuse some of these negative comments. This is a great drill.

[mseastbay]

This IS a great drill, regardless of the negative comments. I've used it myself, and it is clear that the gymnast in this video just hasn't used it much. My girls start in a seal stretch position (supporting themselves with their hands on the mat), then they quickly drop their hands to the floor and drive their heels to handstand. It helps minimize the arch, and it also allows the gymnast to lean over the bar further. It is basically the same drill though.

[gymnasticslover1231]

She spent most of the time talking not doing the drill..

[GymMonkeyAz]

the drill is a lot like the one that we use at my gym accept instead of pannel mats we use a handstand trainer. The problem with this is that the gymnast is being forced to arch up to the handstand and push back because the bar is too far away and there is no momentum to help the gymnast up.

[hunter45544554]

not good

[dayzbeth]

Traceur512 I do have an open mind. As I said before, I take the constructive comments, learn from them and disregard those I think are caustic. I completely agree that the drill does not teach every aspect of the cast to handstand. I do believe, however, it helps the kids get over the fear of inversion over the bar at a floor level, and helps them to drive their heels. It is certainly not the only drill we use in our gym, but we have had success with it. So, we do use it.

[Traceur512]

@ darrakk , well this really isnt a pre-school drill. I dont think Beth is all that great. @ AE117 & Dark00dreams, I believe she was working the heel drive, but I think the neg. effects they learn (IE.arch over shoulder & not over bars) are not worth the pros. If you look closely the child trys to correct the bar positioning and pull it a lil closer so that her shoulders are more over the bar lol. Just use a handstand trainer like everyone else lol.

[AE117]

really nice drill if you want an nice arch with that cast handstand. Dont really see how this helps since her shoulders are behind the bar and this drills doesn't train the shoulder muscles are movement to get your shoulders back in line, im just sayin

[smarkivee28]

lol i was thinking the exact same thing. there are similar drills using mat stacks that teach gymnasts to lean over the bar at pull their hips over their shoulders for a cast handstand.

[dark00dreams]

Why are you teaching girls to arch? How can she possible get to handstand by herself without her shoulders over the bar? I'd like to see her try to get to handstand doing this drill by herself.

[Darrakk]

Thanks for the great drill! It is quite easy to see why you are one of the worlds foremost preschool gymnastics experts!

[andythegymnast87]

@Darrakk LOL it wasn't exactly the most technical and bio-mechanically correct method! Notice the gymnast can't even do the skill without the coach using all her strength to pull her up!!

[TheLightyena]

es mui guapo

[gymnast6433]

I LOVE YOUR LEO

[maudeds]

not bad if you take the time to but the bar closer to the mat. Have you ever try with elastic or bal?

[ymcakid]

Thank you for the drill idea, I am sorry you received such criticism, anytime you try to help and are out there doing instead of watching, it occurs. I am appreciative of all you do and it helps me a lot and sparks ideas of my own. My gymnasts love your videos as well it helps them understand what i am trying to accomplish, and makes them more knowledgeable of the sport.

Coach Michael

[dayzbeth]

Thank you for your very kind words, Michael. I have been presenting for 13 years and I have certainly developed a thicker skin. My stance has become,"If you like it, use it, if ya don't, don't use it." The more we share, the more we gain & as you point out, the more we spark each others' minds. So, I have learned to discard comments with no constructive value, take constructive comments and perhaps learn from them and appreciate people, like you who "get it" and are appreciative of the effort.

[Traceur512]

@dayzbeth why does constuctive criticism have no value? Maybe discard spam and ppl hating, but if they are just talking about how they disagree especially if they give a substitute or good facts to back it up why would you discard it. Please be open minded Beth.

[Dimatina]

Strange exercise. Can´t be good for the back. Apart from that, bad technique, too much arch and the shoulders are not as far in front as they need to be on bars. Please use a handstand trainer!!!

[jahlove111]

that girl has a beautiful strong body

[sqekcx]

lol she spends 30 seconds doing the pointless intro

[dayzbeth]

That would be because I didn't want to take credit for another coach's idea. He wasn't available for filming, so I wanted to make sure to mention him as I showed the drill.

[sqekcx]

that's alright I get it

[apluskel]

hmm. I dont think I like this drill and wont use it because the gymnast shows bent legs and back and never really gets to handstand on her own

[dayzbeth]

It was the first time the young lady had attempted the drill. I have used it alot in my gym since learning it, and as you move the kids forward or backward on the mat, you can adjust so they aren't bending their knees. It is a demonstration..not the end result. This drill has done alot for heel drive on vault as well as cast to handstand on bars for our kids. The best part is, it eliminates alot of spotting, and the kids learn the concept without the fear of heighth or flight.

[apluskel]

well it's ok that you like the drill and use it but you dont have to convince me. I think the handstand trainer would work better - and it's too bad you couldnt have used a better example for the internet instead of the first try

[dayzbeth]

Handstand trainers are very good. Alot of gyms don't have handstand trainers. This is a good option for them. I use both.

Yes, it would have been nice to have a kid who had practiced the drill. Since we were at a clinic not in their gym, we had to use the demonstrators available. She did her best and I appreciated her help.

That's the beauty of clinics, you can use the drills you like and leave the rest. I liked this one and we have used it alot with a great deal of benefit from it.

[bamagym]

actually i don't like this drill, it's reinforcing bent legs, invest in a handstand trainer bungy if you can

[dayzbeth]

As I stated above, you can adjust the positioning of the kid to eliminate bent knees. Also, as we have used the drill since learning it, we have taught the kids to start in "superman" (tight body) position and rock back and forth to get the heel drive going, then rocking up to the handstand position for vault. Alot of gyms only use their bungie handstand trainers for team levels, or they don't have a handstand trainer. This is just another option.

We've had alot of success using it.

[niklu1]

This is a great drill! I like to put a mat next to the edge of the pit so the kids can get to handstand, then fall over on their backs into the pit. They think it's a lot of fun. I can also see it applied for the heel drive on vault.

[bamagym]

huh?

[tvloonie111]

Awesome! this will really help!