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Bar Pirouette Drills

Bar Pirouette Drills is an advanced-level uneven bars drill that works on body alignment, shoulder angle and poor turn position. Train the handstand pirouette (half turn in handstand) on bars — weight shift, hand replacement, and body alignment.

Quick facts

Event
Uneven Bars
Difficulty
advanced
Equipment
low bar, high bar, mat, coach spot
Time per round
about 7 minutes
Muscles
Shoulders, Core, Triceps, Forearms, Upper Back, Hip Flexors

How to do Bar Pirouette Drills

  1. Handstand Pirouette on Floor

    In a handstand on the floor (spotted or against a wall), shift weight onto one arm and replace the other hand to turn a quarter, then a half. 10 reps.

    Cues: Tight body · Shift weight to one arm · Clean hand replacement

  2. Handstand Shape on Low Bar

    Practice cast to handstand on the low bar with a spot, holding the handstand briefly before the turn is added.

    Cues: Shoulders open · Hips over hands · Squeeze legs

  3. Pirouette on Low Bar with Spot

    With a coach spotting, perform the handstand pirouette on the low bar. 8 reps.

    Cues: Weight shift first · Turn the whole body · Re-grasp quickly

  4. Pirouette on High Bar with Spot

    Perform the pirouette on the high bar with a coach spotting. 5 reps.

    Cues: Stay tight · Precise hand placement · Finish in handstand

Practice this drill under a qualified coach, especially for inversions and flight.

Fixes these deductions

Builds these skills

Video

Watch a demonstration “Handstands in Pirouettes on Uneven Bars | Masterclass #6” by Gymnastics Masterclass, on YouTube (opens in a new tab)

Common questions

What does Bar Pirouette Drills help with?
Bar Pirouette Drills targets body alignment, shoulder angle and poor turn position. Train the handstand pirouette (half turn in handstand) on bars — weight shift, hand replacement, and body alignment.
What level is Bar Pirouette Drills for?
Stickd rates Bar Pirouette Drills as an advanced drill. It is part of the progression for Bar Pirouette (typically Level 7-8).

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