This can best be described to the gymnast as pulling the bars so as to move the shoulders over the hands without letting the shoulders get any closer to the hands. The kicking action should be directed forward toward the end of the bars with an open hip angle as opposed to kicking up and allowing the hip angle to close. The front uprise should end in an good front support swing position. Finishing the skill in a extended position and not a closed or Manna position should be emphasized. Care should be taken, especially with young gymnasts, to avoid shoulder or chest injuries.
Physical preparation is essential to safe development.
Swing and bail height should be closely monitored and should match the athletes preparation and experience level. Watch for excessive arching in the bail to upper arm support phase. Some arching is necessary but should not be coached, especially in the early stages, as it will occur as a natural consequence of the swing positions. Beginning gymnasts can learn a good kick through position by doing a front uprise to a straddle support position on the rails . In this drill encourage the gymnast to develop both the kick and the pull by finishing in an extended straddle support position with the shoulders in front of the hands.