How to teach the stalder and endo: 38 high bar drills
Teach the stalder and endo by building straddle pike flexibility and compression first, then the circle with the hips close to the bar, and finally the open to handstand. These 38 drills prepare gymnasts on men's high bar. They suit coaches of competitive gymnasts who already have giants and a cast to handstand.
38 video steps · high-bar
Step 1 of 38, free: Stalder Endo 1
The phases
- Compression and flexibility: fold into a deep straddle pike with straight legs.
- Entry from handstand: start the straddle with the shoulders still over the bar.
- Circle: rotate around the bar with the hips close and the shoulders leaning.
- Open to handstand: extend the hips and push to handstand at the right moment.
Before you start
The gymnast should have a cast to handstand, solid giants and good active straddle pike flexibility.
Common mistakes
- Late straddle: the gymnast drops below the bar and loses speed.
- Hips too far from the bar: the circle slows and the finish ends short.
- Opening too early or too late: the gymnast misses the handstand.
- Bent arms: the circle loses shape and control.
Coaching cues
- Fold tight
- Hips close to the bar
- Open to handstand
All 38 steps
- Stalder Endo 1
- Stalder Endo 2
- Stalder Endo 3
- Stalder Endo 4
- Stalder Endo 5
- Stalder Endo 6
- Stalder Endo 7
- Stalder Endo 8
- Stalder Endo 9
- Stalder Endo 10
- Stalder Endo 11
- Stalder Endo 12
- Stalder Endo 13
- Stalder Endo 14
- Stalder Endo 15
- Stalder Endo 16
- Stalder Endo 17
- Stalder Endo 18
- Stalder Endo 19
- Stalder Endo 20
- Stalder Endo 21
- Stalder Endo 22
- Stalder Endo 23
- Stalder Endo 24
- Stalder Endo 25
- Stalder Endo 26
- Stalder Endo 27
- Stalder Endo 28
- Stalder Endo 29
- Stalder Endo 30
- Stalder Endo 31
- Stalder Endo 32
- Stalder Endo 33
- Stalder Endo 34
- Stalder Endo 35
- Stalder Endo 36
- Stalder Endo 37
- Stalder Endo 38
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a stalder and an endo?
In a stalder the gymnast circles backward in straddle pike with the legs outside the arms. In an endo the circle goes forward in straddle pike. Both finish in handstand.
What should a gymnast learn before a stalder?
A cast to handstand, giants and strong active straddle pike flexibility. Compression drills on the floor and on a low bar usually come before the full circle on high bar.