The Handstand

I recognized when I watched this last crossfit games the target at HSPU was the same as this last open (only make sure the athletes are into the square). Personally I think it is an easy target. Also changing a bit the subject. Last open I saw some athletes losing performance doing strict HSPU switching off one leg, some judges gave a no rep for it. Personally I think it looks like one athlete when chicken wings some MU at the end of a workout I will not reps this. Can you give me your opinion about it?

40 min practice done! 

Yeah excuse me while I just press up into that handstand real quick.

Whoever is doing the demo is a beast!

Here are some thoughts on this workout:
SCALE PRACTICE- I will use the results of last week’s scale practice to determine which scale variation, front or back, should be prioritized today. The goal will be to hold the positions for a longer time period and/or refining the movement patterns. I will likely use the same options provided from 190306:
Front scale
1) For my athletes, I will limit the height of the leg raise to a height that allows both legs to remain straight, while keeping a vertical torso. A challenging goal will be to lift the leg to a height that is, approximately, parallel to the floor.
2) If I have an athlete the is unable to balance, when practicing the front scale, I will utilize a support beam (pull-up rig, squat rack, etc) to assist. This is also an option to assist with increasing range of motion. 
3) If I have an athlete that can lift each leg to parallel to the floor, with consistent 5-10 second holds, I can have them try the movement with eyes closed or with the grounded leg on an unstable surface.

Back Scale
1) The height of the back leg will be limited to a range of motion that allows for straight body lines straight legs. For capable athletes, I will have them attempt to hinge at the hips to a range of motion where the torso and the back leg being are nearly parallel to the floor. The body should stay in complete alignment. 
2) As with the front scale, athletes that have difficulty with balance, on this exercise, can utilize a support beam to assist with the movement. 
3) Athletes that can easily perform this movement, with the body line being parallel to the floor, can attempt this movement with eyes closed or on an unstable surface. 

HANDSTAND HOLDS- Today’s goal is to prescribe a handstand variation that most closely replicates a freestanding hold, based on the skill-level of each athlete. The first, and easiest, scaling option will be to have athletes hold a piked handstand with feet on the box or even feet on the ground. Increasing the difficulty would be performing a wall-walk into a sound handstand hold, facing the wall. If athletes have shown competency facing the wall, I will have them kick up against a wall and hold a sound handstand.  To further progress towards a freestanding hold, I can have athletes try to reach their heels away from the wall and/or utilize a spotter in a freestanding environment. 
If I have an athlete that cannot get inverted, I will likely have them perform a mix of incline position drills and overhead plate holds.

L-SITS: I will challenge my athletes to progress in difficulty and/or duration based on Monday’s L-sit performance.  The goal will be to attempt to complete 6-8 sets of a 10-15 second hold, utilizing one of the following variations: A tuck L-sit, an L-sit with one leg extended, or an L-sit with straight legs. If athletes demonstrate a high level of competency with the movement, attempts can be made with hands on the floor instead of parallettes or boxes.

STRETCHING: My primary focus areas will include the shoulders, thoracic area, as well as the hip flexors. I will provide 1-2 stretches for each of those areas.