With the typical wall facing handstand there is some degree of angle or pike to contact the wall. By flexing the ankle you can keep your alignment vertical and control the balance with your hands. This allows for practice in a perfect vertical alignment that can then be translated to a freestanding hold by simply pointing the toes.
Cues:
- Start with hands one foot length from the wall
- Acquire a vertical wall facing hold with a flexed ankle and toes lightly touching wall
- Balance through hands and point toes without moving anything else
- Hold the freestanding handstand in clean alignment
Mistakes:
- Starting too close or too far from the wall
- Pushing off instead of balancing with the hands to separate from the wall
- Moving anything other than the ankle joint
