[BBoy AuStIn]

The prerequisites for performing a Flare to Handstand are, of course, good consecutive Flares and a good handstand pirouette. Make certain that your handstand pirouette and your Flare are in the same direction (ie. If viewed from above they must either both be clockwise, or both counter-clockwise). Here are some drills to help you learn a Flare Handstand.

1. Practice a press to handstand with your legs flanked off to one side. Your legs should be off to the side that will be your flanking backwards phase of the Flare.

2. From the same position as drill #1 bend your top leg (the one that would be driving to your ear) and put your foot flat on the floor. Use the bent leg to push off the floor and jump towards handstand. Your other leg, which should remain straight, may drag slightly along the floor on your way to handstand.

3. In drill #2 and in the actual performance of a Flare to Handstand it is imperative to backwards pirouette. To understand the backwards pirouette I will use the masking tape example from the Spindle description in "How to Improve your Flare". Imagine starting your Clockwise Flare with your left hand in one and your right hand in two. As you flank backwards your right hand must reach under your body so that you arrive in handstand with your left hand still in one, but your right hand now in three. This encourages the correct lean of the shoulders necessary to arrive in handstand and develops a smooth turn in handstand for combinations like Flare to 1990.

4. Perform a Flare that is very stretched in the front. While flanking backwards really drive your leg towards your ear and try to hold it there for a moment. These two things will help decelerate your Flare and allow you to lift your back in front support. Make certain that you do the backwards pirouette described in #3. If done correctly the Flare to Handstand can be done without the feet dragging on the floor and into a very fast turning handstand.

[Y03ri]

Thanks, that's really helpful!!