Pass the ball from feet to hands in a folding V.
Keep your low back pressed down and move smoothly, do not let momentum take over.
The v-pass folds you into a V while the abs lift both your torso and legs against the added leverage of a ball held overhead, then makes you hand the ball off between hands and feet at the top of every rep. That exchange forces a precise, controlled fold, no flopping up on momentum, because a sloppy rep drops the ball. It trains the upper and lower halves of the trunk together in a way single-direction crunches never manage.
You are rushing the top of the rep. Pause for a beat as hands and feet meet over your hips, make the exchange deliberately, then lower. The pass is the skill, treat it like one.
Do not lower your arms and legs as far. Press your lower back gently into the floor and only descend to the point where it stays there, that end range grows as your abs strengthen.
It is v-ups with homework. The ball adds leverage on whichever end holds it and the handover forces control at the top, so it is the harder, more complete version once plain v-ups feel routine.
