- Moderator
- #21
Straight cast is technically simpler and allows for slightly-better pirouettes, but straddle cast requires less strength and arguably less precision of balance. I used to always prefer straight casts, but more and more over the last few years I've come around to straddle casts. The technical purist in me still loves to see the occasional powerful elite gymnast do a proper straight cast with a pirouette done entirely on the way up, but for most girls a straddle cast is simply more practical.