How to Do a Straddle Press Handstand Beam Mount

Last Updated: February 25, 2021

The straddle press handstand beam mount can be done in a variety of ways. This article will explain how to do the most common ways of the straddle press handstand beam mount. Do be aware that this skill is challenging; as such, it usually takes a while to master.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:
Clear straddle press to handstand mount

To do this mount, you should have a straddle press from a seated position on the floor.

1
Start with your hands placed on the balance beam from the side.
2
Push up to front support.

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3
Push your legs up. As you do this, try to center your hands on the beam. Here are some tips to help you keep your balance:
- Look at the middle of your hands.
- Keep your legs are higher than your hands.
4
Get your legs high enough, then push your legs back up into a straddle.
5
Press up into a handstand. To do this, don't forget to stay tight. Don't lean forward––instead, keep pushing up to stay balanced. Tighten your stomach too.
6
To come down from the handstand on a 4 inch beam, it takes a lot of balance.
- Center yourself.
- Keep your legs in a wide straddle.
7
After your back into a straddle hold, take of your hand. To complete your mount, get into the squat position, and stand up.
- Be aware that this mount might take a while to learn.
- Always get a spot, especially if it's your first few times attempting this.
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Method 2

Method 2 of 3:
Straddle press handstand to cross handstand mount

1
Be adequately prepared. To be able to do this mount, you need to be able to do a straddle press handstand from a standing position. It is also recommended that you are able to do it from a sitting position, but you don't really need to be able to do that. You also need to be able to do a quarter turn (pirouette) from a handstand.
2
Get into a front support. Jump into a straddle that is close to full splits.
3
Lean back, and stay balanced.
4
Jump up, but not over. Do a straddle press handstand. Hold it for a few seconds, depending on your skill level.
5
Look at the middle of your hands, and take of one of your hands, to turn.
6
To make sure you stay balanced, here are some tips that could help:
- Squeeze your ears
- Tighten your stomach
- Lock your elbows.
7
Be quick with your turn, to prevent injury.
8
Lean back, and kick down to a normal standing position. This mount is also a tricky mount; again, it is likely to take a while to learn. It should only be learned in the presence of a spotter.

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Method 3

Method 3 of 3:
Straddle hold mount

This mount doesn't really need a press handstand, but you need a really good straddle hold.

1
Jump to front support.
2
Jump to a straddle hold.
- Make sure your legs are high.
- Lean slightly forward, but not in front of your hands.
- Keep your body balanced at the center of your hands.
3
As quickly as you can, turn yourself. Do this by quickly switching your hands, from facing the side of the beam, to the cross side of the beam (forwards).
4
Keep holding for a few seconds.
- Don't over-hold; doing so could create a wrist injury!
- If you are doing a lot of difficult skills that consistently hurt your wrists, get wrist supports, such as tiger paws.
5
Swing your legs down and stand up. Once you have perfected this mount, you could add the press handstand part.
6
Note that this mount could be hard to practice on the low beam, so just practice it on a medium beam. Be confident and always use a spotter when learning it.

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Community Q&A

Question

I hold my breath when I do this handstand. Do you think I should breathe?

Community Answer

If you're not holding it for a long time, it's okay to hold your breath, as long as it doesn't make you dizzy.

Warnings

If it's your first time trying the mount alone on the high beam, make sure there are mats under the balance beam. It'll hurt you less if you fall onto soft surfaces.

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Make sure you know how to do safety falls off the high beam. You should know safety falls even before you walk on the high beam, just to be safe, and to prevent injury.

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Make sure your coach knows what skills you are trying. Your coach may think that you're not ready just yet.

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