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Wall Handstand Holds: Floor Drill

Wall Handstand Holds is a beginner-level floor exercise drill that works on bent knees, body alignment and shoulder angle. Practice holding a straight body handstand against the wall to improve body tension and alignment.

Quick facts

Event
Floor Exercise
Difficulty
beginner
Equipment
wall
Time per round
about 1 minute
Muscles
Shoulders, Core, Upper Back, Triceps, Forearms, Lower Back

How to do Wall Handstand Holds

  1. Setup Position

    Stand facing the wall about one arm's length away. Place hands on the floor shoulder-width apart, fingers spread wide.

    Cues: Hands shoulder-width · Fingers spread wide · Arms straight

  2. Kick Up to Handstand

    Kick one leg up to the wall, then bring the second leg to meet it. Keep arms locked out.

    Cues: Arms locked · Push through shoulders · One leg at a time

  3. Hold and Align

    Squeeze legs together, point toes, engage core. Create one straight line from wrists to toes. Push the floor away.

    Cues: Squeeze legs together · Point toes · Tight core · Push floor away

  4. Come Down Controlled

    Lower one leg at a time back to the floor. Maintain body tension throughout the descent.

    Cues: One leg at a time · Controlled descent · Stay tight

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

Fixes these deductions

Builds these skills

Video

Watch a demonstration “4 Drills for the Handstand Hold” by Breazeal Gymnastics, on YouTube (opens in a new tab)

Common questions

What does Wall Handstand Holds help with?
Wall Handstand Holds targets bent knees, body alignment and shoulder angle. Practice holding a straight body handstand against the wall to improve body tension and alignment.
Can you do Wall Handstand Holds at home?
Yes. The equipment it lists (wall) is easy to set up at home.
What level is Wall Handstand Holds for?
Stickd rates Wall Handstand Holds as a beginner drill. It is part of the progression for Handstand (typically Level 1-2), Cartwheel (typically Level 2), Roundoff (typically Level 3), Back Handspring (typically Level 4-5), Front Handspring (typically Level 4-5), Aerial (typically Level 6-7), Standing Back Handspring (typically Level 5-6), Cast Handstand (typically Level 5-6), Bar Pirouette (typically Level 7-8) and Beam Handstand (typically Level 3-4).

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