handstand

Everyday

A position where you balance upside down on your hands, with your legs straight up in the air. tree →

In the lessons

In PE and gymnastics it is a basic skill: «do a handstand», «hold a handstand», «handstand against the wall». Children practise on mats with someone spotting them. Related moves: cartwheel, forward roll, headstand.

Examples

• Can you do a handstand? tree →
• She held a handstand for ten seconds. tree →
• Practise your handstand against the wall first. tree →
• He fell over doing a handstand on the grass. tree →
• We did handstands on the beach. tree →
• Keep your arms straight and your tummy tight in a handstand. tree →
• The gymnast walked across the mat in a handstand. tree →

Note

Countable: a handstand, handstands. You «do» a handstand, not «make» one. A «headstand» uses your head and hands; a «handstand» only your hands. Safety: use a soft surface and keep space around you.