At competitions if u feel really worked up...the stress of the competition can get to u sometimes and you force yourself to let go! But if not then just tell yourself that u have done this skill before and that your body knows how to do it !
No..you do not get a lower start value for not having handstand...but a cast to horizontal is a requirement. Your first cast also has to be above horizontal (you get big deductions if its not!!!) and you're free hip has to be to a minimum of horizontal as well.