The maltese is a ring skill even more demanding than the planche. You hold your body straight and horizontal, supported on rings with straight arms—similar to a planche but with the added instability of rings. It demands extreme shoulder and pectoral strength plus incredible body tension. You'll start with planche progressions on the floor, move to ring planche leans, then ring support holds, and finally the maltese. This is the pinnacle of ring pushing strength. Only elite athletes achieve this.