What level do gymnasts learn a Cast Handstand?

Gymnasts usually learn a Cast Handstand between Levels 5 and 6. That is a typical range, and every gymnast and gym moves at a different pace.

How long does it take to learn a Cast Handstand?

About 4 weeks once a Kip is solid, as a rough estimate. Starting from a Kip, the whole progression adds up to about 10 weeks. These are estimates; real timelines vary a lot from gymnast to gymnast.

What should my gymnast learn before a Cast Handstand?

Kip comes directly before it. The full progression is Kip, then Cast Handstand.

What are the most common deductions on a Cast Handstand?

The ones to watch for are Low Cast Angle (usually about 0.1), Bent Arms (usually about 0.1), Pike in Body (up to 0.20) and Shoulder Angle (usually about 0.1). Judges scale each deduction by how noticeable it is.

How to do a Cast Handstand

A Cast Handstand is a bar skill on uneven bars that gymnasts usually learn between Levels 5 and 6, once a Kip is solid.

Also called: cast to handstand.

Quick facts

Apparatus	Uneven Bars
Typical level (estimate)	Levels 5-6
Difficulty (Stickd rating)	5/10
Time to learn after the prerequisite (estimate)	About 4 weeks
Whole progression (estimate)	About 10 weeks from a Kip
Fear factor (Stickd rating)	2/5

Levels, ratings and timelines are Stickd estimates for planning, not USAG requirements.

What to learn before a Cast Handstand

Work through these skills in order. Each one is a required step toward a Cast Handstand.

Kip (Levels 4-5)

Step-by-step progression

The path to a Cast Handstand has 2 steps. Week counts are typical estimates for regular training.

1
Kip
Learn a Kip until it is solid, usually between Levels 4 and 5. About 6 weeks (estimate).
2
Cast Handstand
Learn a Cast Handstand. Allow about 4 weeks once the step before it is solid (estimate).

Drills that build a Cast Handstand

What good form looks like

Cast from bar to vertical handstand position.

shoulders: open
elbows: straight
hips: extended
knees: straight

Common deductions on a Cast Handstand

Deduction	What it means	Typically
Low Cast Angle	Cast does not reach required angle above horizontal	0.1
Bent Arms	Arms not fully extended when they should be straight	0.1
Pike in Body	Hip angle showing pike when straight position required	up to 0.20
Shoulder Angle	Shoulders not open to 180 degrees in handstand positions	0.1

Typical values; judges scale each deduction by how noticeable it is, and the judges' score is the official one.

Skills a Cast Handstand unlocks

Clear Hip (Uneven Bars, Levels 6-7)
Bar Pirouette (Uneven Bars, Levels 7-8)
Giant (Uneven Bars, Levels 7-8)

Watch an example

Watch a Cast Handstand tutorial on YouTube (opens in a new tab).

Frequently asked questions

What level do gymnasts learn a Cast Handstand?: Gymnasts usually learn a Cast Handstand between Levels 5 and 6. That is a typical range, and every gymnast and gym moves at a different pace.
How long does it take to learn a Cast Handstand?: About 4 weeks once a Kip is solid, as a rough estimate. Starting from a Kip, the whole progression adds up to about 10 weeks. These are estimates; real timelines vary a lot from gymnast to gymnast.
What should my gymnast learn before a Cast Handstand?: Kip comes directly before it. The full progression is Kip, then Cast Handstand.
What are the most common deductions on a Cast Handstand?: The ones to watch for are Low Cast Angle (usually about 0.1), Bent Arms (usually about 0.1), Pike in Body (up to 0.20) and Shoulder Angle (usually about 0.1). Judges scale each deduction by how noticeable it is.