Bad 2nd Hollows

Hi...I have a few questions and concerns. I coach cheerleading but I don't know how to coach gymnastics. I finally found someone to help me out but since I don't know much about it I don't know if she is taking the proper steps.

I have about 12 girls and they have been working on them for about 2 months (BHS). I am seeing very little improvement and they are having a difficult time. They pretty much do it all the same...their first hollow is really good but as soon as their hand touch their arms buckle and then they fold their legs in. There is know shoulder pop and no 2nd hollow. I keep telling them to stay tight, push off and hit the 2nd hollow.

Is it the girls not correcting themselves? Is there something else we should be telling them? Are there certain types of drills they can be doing? PLEASE HELP!

1) Think of complete exercises and skills as having been built from independent "components" or "parts."  Each of those components may be build from even smaller "sub-components" and "pieces."  If any of those components or sub-components is flawed, the completed skill will also be flawed.  If the arms are buckling and they are frogging out, I'd suggest starting with strengthening their arms and shoulders. Now you can use your tablet to help build specific strength for superior tumbling, click to find out how.  

2) My "Better Back-Handsprings" video is a great resource for strength and conditioning exercises. It's a work that EVERY serious tumbling coach or student ought to have on her book-shelf. Since 1991 it's sold worldwide to coaches and students who want to learn a well-formed back-handspring. I guarantee your satisfaction 100%.

3) Like cartwheels, round-offs & walk-overs... the handspring is a handSTAND based skill. The SINGLE MOST EFFECTIVE thing you can do to improve your student's handsprings.... is to improve their handSTANDS. Typically, that means strengthening the shoulders, core, and lunge.  Because those tumbling skills are built upon the foundation of the handSTAND... but with more speed & power...any error that is demonstrated in the handstand will be MAGNIFIED in the Handspring (or other skills). & most students demonstrate enough form-errors in the 'simple' handstand to make their Handspring a mess!

If you'd like to make SURE your students know EXACTLY how to perform and practice a MASTERFUL handstand... one that's WORTHY of being a foundation of so many other skills... I have created a NEW VIDEO for you. "The Basic Handstand Position" It's SO new that it isn't even listed on my website yet. 

Have fun, be safe, push HARD!
~CW!