Diabolo Tricks
Adding More Spin
written for righties
For viewing larger animations with stop/step controls; click Flash Movie Controls

All animations are of the performer's view.

see Flash Movie Controls	see Flash Movie Controls
Variations to Add Diabolo Speed
lw = Lfthand Wrap	see alone pp = Power Pulls
cs = Chinese Snaps see alone	cl = Clockwise Sun
cw = Chinese Whip Thrusts see alone	see alone sp = Sun Pulls
ot = Orbit Thrusts see alone	see alone pt = Power Thrusts
lu = Lefthand Unwrap	cc = Counter Clockwise Sun

see Flash Movie Controls
Power Pulls
1) With your sticks in a normal position strongly lift the right stick upward so the diabolo rises.

2) Keeping your sticks side be side, lower your right stick so the diabolo lowers again. NOTE: The left stick absorbs the aggresive movements of the right's movements. The left is needed to counter the right so the diabolo simply bobs up and down.

3) At the point the diabolo is highest, swing your right stick downward again as before continuing Power Pulls until gaining spin.

Power Pulls are basic pulls with the right hand to add early spin when the diabolo is on open string.  Power is concentrated during the pull up and relieved as the diabolo falls back downward.

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see Flash Movie Controls
Sun Pulls
(Power Pulls in a Clockwise Sun)

1) Begin with a Clockwise Sun (cs). NOTE: This will add a twist of string above the axle. This twist adds 'teeth' to a power pull movement and stability to the bobbing diabolo.

2) With your sticks in a normal position strongly lift the right stick upward so the diabolo rises.

3) Keeping your sticks side be side, lower your right stick so the diabolo lowers again. NOTE: The left stick absorbs the aggresive movements of the right's movements. The left is needed to counter the right so the diabolo simply bobs up and down.

4) At the point the diabolo is highest, swing your right stick downward again as before continuing Power Pulls until gaining spin.

5) To return to nomal do a Counterclockwise Sun to open string.

cs = The Clockwise Sun is the action of swinging the diabolo around the sticks in the center.  After the Sun the string has a twist above the axle.  Doing Sun Pulls and Power Thrusts in the Clockwise Sun position adds stability during the strong moves to add more spin.  One problem with adding spin is that the diabolo is knocked from its orientation.  The extra twist of string on the axle helps to prevent this.

sp = Sun Pulls are just like Power Pulls except they are done after a Clockwise Sun.  The added twist of string will not bother the pulling action.  After the Sun Pulls are completed, do a Counter Clockwise Sun to return the diabolo to open string. ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

see Flash Movie Controls

Power Thrusts

(Exaggerated Sun Pulls)

1) Begin with a Clockwise Sun (cs).

2) Lift your right stick upward so the diabolo moves up and on your right side.

3) As the diabolo begins to fall whip the right stick's end downward along the left side of the falling diabolo. The left stick should be held in the middle of your body (poiting right) absorbing the motions of the right stick's thrust.

4) As soon as is at the diabolo is at its lowest point, begin to lift it again with the right stick.

5) Repeat for more speed.

6) To return to nomal do a Counterclockwise Sun to open string.

cs = The Clockwise Sun is the action of swinging the diabolo around the sticks in the center.  After the Sun the string has a twist above the axle.  Doing Sun Pulls and Power Thrusts in the Clockwise Sun position adds stability during the strong moves to add more spin.  One problem with adding spin is that the diabolo is knocked from its orientation.  The extra twist of string on the axle helps to prevent this.

pt = Power Thrusts are done from the Clockwise Sun.  Move the diabolo to the right side of your body and sticks.  Lift the diabolo up with a slow right pull, as it reaches its height pull down with the right stick.  Your right stick pulls straight down and always left of the diabolo.  The left stick absorbs the the shock of the right's movements by pointing at the bobbing diabolo.  After the Power Thrusts are completed, do a Counter Clockwise Sun to return the diabolo to open string.  Note:  It is possible to perform Power Thrusts without doing a CW Sun, but care should be taken so the diabolo doesn't get away by flying off the string.

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see Flash Movie Controls

Power Burners

source: Chad Lunders, Lincoln, NE, USA

1) Begin with a Righthand Wrap (rw).

2) Lift your right stick upward so the diabolo moves up and on your right side.

3) As the diabolo begins to fall whip the right stick's end downward along the left side of the falling diabolo. The left stick should be held in the middle of your body (poiting right) absorbing the motions of the right stick's thrust.

4) As soon as is at the diabolo is at its lowest point, begin to lift it again with the right stick.

5) Repeat for more speed.

6) To return to open string, do a Righthand Unwrap (ru) where the Right stick does a clockwise circle around the diabolo. NOTE: The diabolo may appear to be hopping over the right stick during this movement.

6) Diabolo should be spinning much faster and on 'open' string.

rw = A Righthand Wrap is counterclockwise movement around the diabolo with the Rgiht stick's end. This action puts a wrap of string around the diabolo's axle.

ru = A Righthand Unwrap is the undoing motion of a Righthand Wrap which is a clockwise movement around the diabolo with the Right stick's end. This action returns the diabolo's axle to open (without a wrap of string).

pb = Power Burners are done from a Left-hand Wrap (lw).  Move the diabolo to the right side of your body and sticks.  Lift the diabolo up with a slow right pull, as it reaches its height pull down with the right stick.  Your right stick pulls straight down and always left of the diabolo.  The left stick absorbs the the shock of the right's movements by pointing at the bobbing diabolo.  After the Power Thrusts are completed, do a Left-hand Unwrap (lu) to return the diabolo to open string.  Note:  Power Burners are similar to Power Thrusts but are begun with a Wrap instead of a Sun. The Wrap puts even more 'teeth' on the diabolo's axle during the Power Burner's movements; adding more speed quicker. Note:  The risk to Power Burners is that the wrap may wrap-up on you where the diabolo climbs toward the sticks. Practice should bring you the correct rhythm to perform this ultimate spin enhancer.

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see Flash Movie Controls
Chinese Snaps

1) Begin with a Left-hand Wrap (lw).

2) Keeping the sticks apart, allow the diabolo to move on the string to your right side.

3) With a short movement, swing the right stick's end downward and forward. NOTE: Keeping your right stick forward and your left back a bit will prevent the string from getting tangled and caught on the axle.

4) Quickly lift the right stick upward slightly, lifting the diabolo so you can repeat the 'snaps' until addition spin is reached.

5) To return to open string, do a Lefthand Unwrap (lu) where the Left stick does a counterclockwise circle around the diabolo. NOTE: The diabolo may appear to be hopping over the left stick during this movement. ALSO NOTE: At this point you can begins Chinese Whip Thrusts for even more spin.

6) Diabolo should be spinning much faster and on 'open' string.

lw = A Lefthand Wrap is clockwise movement around the diabolo with the Left stick's end. This action put a wrap of string around the diabolo's axle.

lu = A Lefthand Unwrap is the undoing motion of a Lefthand Wrap which is a counterclockwise movement around the diabolo with the Left stick's end. This action returns the diabolo's axle to open (without a wrap of string).

sn = Chinese Snaps add spin with short snappy movements of the right stick.  First do a Lefthand Wrap around the diabolo. This puts a wrap on the axle.  The diabolo may try to roll up on the string, so act quickly and toss the diabolo up with a right stick pull.  Pull forward as you pull up with the right (this opens the wrap so it doesn't tangle as much).  As the diabolo falls back down, move your left stick in so slack is added to the string and at the same time 'snap' down with the right to add speed.  Always remember to keep that right stick forward so the wrap doesn't tangle.  After the Chinese Snaps are completed, allow the diabolo to move left 'jumping' the over left stick (this is the Lefthand Unwrap), returning the diabolo to open string.  Note:  It is possible to perform Chinese Snaps with a Righthand Wrap, but the left stick needs to be keep forward and the right stick's actions needs to be keep back.
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see Flash Movie Controls
Chinese Whip Thrusts

(Exaggerated Chinese Snaps)

1) Begin with a Lefthand Wrap (lw).

2) Keeping the sticks apart, allow the diabolo to move on the string to your right side.

3) With a strong movement, swing the right stick's end downward and slightly forward. NOTE: Keeping your right stick forward and your left back a bit will prevent the string from getting tangled and caught on the axle.

4) Quickly lift the right stick upward vertically lifting the diabolo so you can repeat the 'whips' until addition spin is reached.

5) To return to open string, do a Lefthand Unwrap (lu) where the Left stick does a counterclockwise circle around the diabolo. NOTE: The diabolo may appear to be hopping over the left stick during this movement.

6) Diabolo should be spinning much faster and on 'open' string.

lw = A Lefthand Wrap is clockwise movement around the diabolo with the Left stick's end. This action put a wrap of string around the diabolo's axle.

lu = A Lefthand Unwrap is the undoing motion of a Lefthand Wrap which is a counterclockwise movement around the diabolo with the Left stick's end. This action returns the diabolo's axle to open (without a wrap of string).

cw = Chinese Whip Thrusts are exaggerated Chinese Snaps.  As with the Snaps the Whips are done from the Lefthand wrap, and the right stick is kept forward (toward the audience).  The right stick pulls the diabolo higher, thrusts down harder, and the left stick gives more slack to allow the diabolo to fall farther.  After the Chinese Whip Thrusts are completed, allow the diabolo to move left 'jumping' the over left stick, returning the diabolo to open string.  Note:  It is possible to perform Chinese Whip Thrusts by doing a Righhand wrap, but the left stick needs to be keep forward and the right stick's actions needs to be keep back. 
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see Flash Movie Controls
Orbit Thrusts

(From a Short Sun to Chinese Whips in a circular movement)

source: Jakob Schazmann (Galway, Ireland)

1: Start in the open string position.

2: Do a Clockwise Short Sun.(ss) This is a Clockwise Sun where the diabolo falls between the sticks instead of right of the sticks. This can also be done as a Lefthand Wrap.

3: The Clockwise Short Sun will put a full wrap of string on the diabolo's axle. Begin to do Clockwise Orbits movements (ot) even with the axle wrapped. This is where you swing the the diabolo around in a circle between your sticks. The diabolo moves right to left low and left to right high.

4: At the top of the Orbit let the string loosen around the diabolo, and at the bottom of the orbit tighten the string, otherwise the diabolo will not gain any speed.

BEWARE: If you allow the string to tighten at the wrong place in the orbit the diabolo will wrap up on the string. If your string is a bit dirty or too thick, it is difficult to keep the diabolo from wrapping up at any time.

TIP: Keeping your right stick's end farther foward than your left stick end, will loosen the string wrap; especially at the top of the orbit.

5: Once you feel the diabolo is spinning fast enough, do a Jump The Fence at the bottom of the orbit. This is where you allow the diabolo to exit the bottom of the orit by going over the Left stick to the Left side and is a Lefthand Unwrap (lu). This action also unwaraps the string.

6: Now you are back on the open string with a bunch of spin.

ALSO NOTE: This trick can be entered by doing a Clockwise Sun and then a string wrap movement of the Right stick (CounterClockwise) around the diabolo. The result is the same wrap as created by a Clockwise Short Sun start. Another and even easier start is with a Clockwise wrap of the Left stick around the diabolo.

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see Flash Movie Controls
Horizontal Power Whips

(This may well be the most common method for adding spin. Yet, it is a somewhat difficult trick to learn. This is mainly because of the timing required to continually build speed.)

1) From the standard position, start by pulling the right stick out to the right, and then swing back to the left so the string slaps against the diabolo's axle. Bend over as you swing so you are looking down at the diabolo as it is hit by the string. An important point is that your swing is along a long line extending from your back swing to the left, to where the diabolo moves to the right.

2) The diabolo should take off to the left, horizontal to the floor. Your right stick is in a swing to the left also, moving with the diabolo. There is a point where the diabolo must be stopped and pulled back, this point is near the farthest point your right stick can reach left. At that point, pull the right stick back to the left along the line and horizontal to the floor. This action should reverse the leftward movement of the diabolo and start it back to the right. Keep slightly bent over and notice how your arms cross as the diabolo is reversed. Your left hand and stick points forward through most of the trick, but it gives way to actions of the diabolo. Note: The reversing of the diabolo might feel a bit 'springy' when done at the right time, almost like the diabolo 'bounces back.'

3) Now the diabolo is moving back to the right. Your right stick had pulled to the right and is far right before the diabolo gets to a point just past and right of your right hip. At that point swing back horizontally with the right stick so the string 'smacks' the axle driving the diabolo again back to the right. Focus on the axle and keep that swing along the line. Still slightly bent over you should be able to look down at exactly what you are doing. A good practice is to practice where there is a line on the floor to help as a guide.

4) Continue by swinging back to the right to reverse the diabolo as in step 2 and then 'whipping' to the left again as in step 3. Try to find the rhythm needed to keep the diabolo bobbing horizontally left and right. The right timing will give great spin.

Note: The power is always in the swing of the right stick to the left, but the rightward movement is just to reverse the diabolo's direction. It seems that the reversing movement would slow the diabolo, but in comparison to the power of the left 'whip' little is lost.

Note (Crossing Arms and Correction): During this trick your arms cross on the left side. You can cross your right above your left or your left above your right, alternate, or whatever feels right. You might notice that if you cross your arms one way that the diabolo's angle correction is changed. Many diaboloist correct the diabolo as they 'Whip' back and forth. Crossing their arms one way or the other to keep the diabolo 'straight with the world' as they add spin.
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Trapeze Acceleration
(Here's a quick way to get spin inside a trapeze trick.)

source: Mick Lunzer

1) Do a simple Left Trapeze around the left hand stick.

2) Now pull the Right handstick sharply to the right (horizontally). Quickly give it slack and repeat. With sharp long pulls or rapid short jerks the diabolo's spin will increase.
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Hook Stall Acceleration
(Here's a quick way to get spin inside a Hook Stall.)

source: Mick Lunzer

1) Bring the righthand stick over to the left and hook the string over the top of the left handstick. The hanging diabolo is in the same position as the left diabolo in the Two Diabolo Hook Stall trick.

2) Now pull the Right handstick sharply to the right (horizontally). Quickly give it slack and repeat. With sharp long pulls or rapid short jerks the diabolo's spin will increase.
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