Spotting Handstand Walks for Beginning Team

Wheel barrel walks with emphasis on maintaining shape is great conditioning.

I generally prefer not to have team kids do handstand walks if they can't hold solid handstands; or shoulder/thigh touch with good weight transferring against a wall, while maintaining shape. Still, handstand-walking once in a while is good fun and shoulder-strengthening for the kids.

One problem for strength benefits of course, is that beginners can't stay up for very long because of lack of experience in maintaining balance.

When I do offer a spot, a great method to consider is to have the gymnast squeeze your hand/forearm. That way you're not just holding them up- they are still supporting their own body weight. You're only aiding their balance; and they only get the spot if they are squeezing my arm with their legs. Once they relax the adductors and let go of my arm, they lose the spot-assist.