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

Minetti Whip Diabolo Trick

Need Extra Help? Go to slowed-down step-by-step animation.

The Minetti Whip
see also Half Sun
see Flash Movie Controls

source: Wayne van Wijk (Australia)

This tricks happens fairly fast and has several steps, hang in there, it is well worth it. Generally this trick comes in four parts. The four parts are:

A) A behind the shoulder Catch. (Steps 1-3) - see also Half Sun trick

B) A Counterclockwise Sun (Steps 4-6) - see also Half Sun trick

C) A centered Inverse Trapeze (Steps 7-9)

D) A releasing snap Toss (Steps 10-12)

A detailed description of the two circles the diabolo makes, are aided by a clock's face. A diabolo above your head is at 12 o'clock, at your feet is at 6 o'clock, your outstretched right arm would be 3, and your left would be 9. See clock reference for better understanding.


1) Toss the diabolo up so it will fall off to your right side.

2) After the toss quickly change your right stick to point behind you as you extend your right arm to the right. (Point upward with the right stick then back.) Make the string tight for the catch by bringing the left stick up to your chest, pointing right and pulling back left. The string should be nearly horizontal, possibly nearly under you chin, and your right elbow slightly bent.

3) Catch the falling diabolo on the string above your right elbow. Hold the spinning diabolo for a bit.

4) Swing the diabolo in a counterclockwise Sun to your left side. Use both sticks together to swing the diabolo up and over.
If the diabolo starts off to your right at 3 o'clock, at 12 o'clock both your sticks should be pointing at the diabolo.

5) As the diabolo swings closer to your left side you need to reposition your sticks. (11 or 10 o'clock) Your left sticks should be positioned to point straight ahead and your right stick should point left. Your right stick is horizontal but above your left stick.

6) As the diabolo falls on your left side, (9, 8, & 7 o'clock) you should notice the string begin to wrap around the left stick. At 6 o'clock, begin to move your right stick to the right so as the diabolo rises it will go between both sticks.

7) The diabolo is now still moving in a CC circle, but the circle is smaller. The diabolo needs to hit the string between the left and right stick at about 2 or 3 o'clock. Keep the left stick still.

8) Allow the diabolo to carry the string over the top around the left stick. As the diabolo reaches 9 o'clock, move the right stick next to the left stick. Both sticks should be straight out.

9) Both sticks together should guide the diabolo down, under, and up on the right side of them.

10) As the diabolo rises as a toss at 3 o'clock the sticks' ends needs to point more upward, moving up with the diabolo.

11) Suddenly pull both sticks downward. The string should snap as it releases off the diabolo. The diabolo should continue upward.

12) Catch diabolo.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Kickback Full Circle Release

source: Norbi Whitney, Crediton, England

1. Do the Minetti Whip Trick but don't release it.

2. As the diabolo comes around on the last counter clockwise circle bring your right stick in so the diabolo goes around it and stops in a trapese.

3. Throw straight up (between sticks), catch and smile.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

The Double Double
see Flash Movie Controls

source: Bruce Love

1) Perform two Inverse Trapezes. i1 & i2

2) Toss the diabolo up between both sticks, pointing the sticks toward the diabolo as it rises so the strings release off the stick-ends.  The diabolo is not free.  Its toss will be limited by the string over the axle and as the diabolo falls back down, keep your sticks apart. Open sticks will allow the diabolo to fall between the sticks.

3) The diabolo should be on crossed string (in the right backside position).  Now do two trapezes. If you are familiar with the Fritz Release, just think of finishing with the two trapezes as with that trick.         f1 & f2 

4) Release the diabolo between the sticks.  Be sure to point your sticks at the diabolo as it rises, so the strings release from the stick ends.  The diabolo should now be free, rising above you.

5) Catch descending diabolo.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

The Triple Double (3 Inverse Trapezes & 2 rt Trapezes)

The Triple Double
see Flash Movie Controls

source: within

1) Perform three Inverse Trapezes.          i1, i2, & i3

2) Toss the diabolo up right of both sticks, pointing the sticks toward the diabolo as it rises so the strings release off the stick-ends.  The diabolo is not free.  Its toss will be limited by the string over the axle and as the diabolo falls back down, move your right stick to the right. Opening up your sticks will allow the diabolo to fall between the sticks.

3) The diabolo should be on crossed string (in the right backside position).  Now do two trapezes. If you are familiar with the Fritz Release, just think of finishing with the two trapezes as with that trick.         f1 & f2 

4) Release the diabolo between the sticks.  Be sure to point your sticks at the diabolo as it rises, so the strings release from the stick ends.  The diabolo should now be free, rising above you.

5) Catch descending diabolo.

^^^^^^^^^^^

 
Animation by J.S.
 
Floor Rebound
(Bounce Catch )
see Flash Movie Controls
 
source: Jakob Schazmann (Galway, Ireland)
Note: This trick does not work well with hard plastic diabolos.

1) Start of with the diabolo spinning pretty fast, and the string is not tangled or crossed in any way.

2) Lower your right stick so that it is close to the ground. Your left stick should be in the normal position.

3) Gently toss the diabolo to the right (roughly 1 foot to the right) onto the ground.

4) It will bounce from the ground back onto the string. (It will bounce to the left because the diabolo is spinning anti-clockwise).

5) Now you are back in the normal position.

^^^^^^^^^^^
 
Animation by J.S.
 
Henry Hop
(Bounce Catch)
see Flash Movie Controls
 
 
source: within
Note: This works best with a good bouncing diabolo like the Henry Circus.

1) Go to the Right Backside of the string.

2) Do a right trapeze

3) Point your right stick in as you pull both sticks apart. (the loops should slip off the end of the right stick quickly)

4) The pulling apart action (which quickly tightens the string) will throw the Diabolo into the floor. It is a good idea to throw it to the right a bit because it will bounce to your left.

5) Catch rising diabolo as if you are going to the left backside. Lay the string over the axle with the left stick, then circle under the diabolo with end of left stick.

6) Uncross arms for toss and then catch normally.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

 
Animation by J.S.
 
Head Hop
(Neck Trampoline)
see Flash Movie Controls
 
source: Jakob Schazmann (Galway, Ireland)

1) Start with the diabolo spinning at a medium speed and the string not tangled or crossed in any way.

2) Toss the diabolo up (maybe 1.5-2 foot over your head on to right a bit.

3) While the diabolo is up in air, turn 90 degrees to the (right) put the string around the back of your neck, and have both sticks in-front of you, pointing straight up.

Note: First practice this without the diabolo. Find which hand works best for you to quickly swing the string around the back of your neck. and then make the string tight for the catch.

4) Catch the diabolo on one of the strings, taking care not to let the diabolo hit your face.

5) Toss (or Bounce) the diabolo from string to string. (I like to do it around 8 times)

6) From one of the strings, toss the diabolo up around 1.5-2 foot above your head.

7) Take the string from behind your head and get ready to catch the diabolo. This is undoing what you did in step 3., usually with the same hand.

8) Catch the diabolo.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Neck Trampoline Safety Catch (NTSC)

source: Brett Walach (USA)

1) Stand facing the audience, and turn to your left 90° as you go into a Neck Trampoline (Head Hop) bouncing the diabolo back and forth between strings. (in other words, if the audience is at 12 o-clock, you are facing 9 o-clock)

2) Then bounce the diabolo straight up off the right side string so it will fall straight back down.

3) As the diabolo is in the air, move your right handstick out to the right to make room for the falling diabolo. Keep your left hand where it is so as to sustain the look of the neck trampoline.

4) As the diabolo falls, swing your right handstick back towards the diabolo and catch the diabolo on the handstick! The string should be above the grinding diabolo. The right stick is pointing at a angle to keep the diabolo grinding. You may try pointing your right stick at your forehead.

3-4) alternate method - ADDED) Steps 3 and 4 can be combined with a much simpler action and description. As the diabolo falls back towards the right handstick, quickly swoop the right handstick out to your right and scoop down over the top of the diabolo as it approaches, sending it directly into a stick grind! Swoop and Scoop!

NOTE: The string is still around your neck as when doing the Neck Trampoline.

5) Getting out . . without moving your right handstick, bring your left handstick 180 degrees to your left, causing the string to straighten.

6) Three things happen almost together at the same time the string begins to straighten. A) The diabolo slides up the right handstick and contacts the string. B) You're turning 90 degrees to your left (your back is towards the audience). C) The diabolo is launched upwards beginning an over the head sun. (Counterclockwise) You should have your back to the audience as the diabolo reaches it's peak in the sun.

7) You finish by continuing through with the sun motion so that your left hand goes under to where the right started from (in step 5), and your right hand goes over the top (following the diabolo into the sun). While that is happening you yourself are also turning an extra 180 degrees more, to your left. You should now be facing the audience again with the diabolo on an open string (not crossed at all).

NOTE: It is easier to visualize your body movement from steps 5 to 7 as a 270° pirouette to your left. So you start facing your audience, then turn 90° to your left, Neck Trampoline, Swoop and Scoop (safety catch), overhead-sun while turning 270° more to your left. Now you are facing the audience again.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
 
Animation by J.S.
 
Almost Double or Nothing
(Inspired by the Double or Nothing trick.)
see Flash Movie Controls
 
 
source: Within

1)  Begin a Clockwise Sun, but when the diabolo reaches about 3 o'clock the a string off the diabolo should hit the top of the Right stick. After the Sun movement the diabolo is hanging down from the right stick and one string is connecting the top of the sticks. Through out this trick your sticks are pointed straight ahead and level with the floor.

2) Don't allow the diabolo to stop, keep it moving under the sticks and around the Left stick. This is like doing a Left Trapeze (stopover). The diabolo goes up over the Left stick and lands on the three strings now stretched between the sticks.

3) Undo the trick by swinging the diabolo counterclockwise undoing the trapeze and then doing a Counterclockwise Sun unwrapping the string off the sticks. The diabolo should return to open string after ending the Sun.

Also see Double or Nothing

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Garrote

source: Nick Bestor

1) Hold your Right stick high so there is a lot of string between the diabolo and the right stick.

2) Holding the sticks so they don't move, bend forward at the waist so the right side of your neck touches the string. As you bend forward your right stick that is high needs to move to the left so the string wraps almost around your neck.

3) Continue to bring the Right stick down as you are bent over. Pointing your Right stick left, come under the diabolo with the string off your Right stick.

4) Hook under the diabolo and pull upward and rightward with the Right stick so the diabolo begins a Clockwise Sun motion over your head and to the right.

5) As soon as the diabolo is clear straighten up to stand normal, but continue the Clockwise sun until it is down to the below your sticks in the normal position.

6) Notice that the string is crossed and is on the right backside (recaptured) side of the string. Your ending can be a crossed arm toss or possibly a Garroticide.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Diabogo-Round

(tiny Side Suns that get bigger and bigger)

source: Adam Bledsoe

1)With the diabolo spinning and in the standard position, roll the handsticks toward each other. This makes the strings wrap around the each handstick. You are rolling the left stick clockwise and the right stick counterclockwise. (Note: if your sticks are where the string comes out the end of the stick, you'll need to tilt the sticks up as you start to roll to begin the wrap.)

2) Turn to your right,sideways to the diabolo, and point the sticks at each other.

3) Holding the right a little higher than the left and do several Side Suns, where the diabolo goes around both stick ends counterclockwise. (Note: The Suns start out small and get larger and larger as the string unwraps.)

4) Do as many Suns as you can, as long as your diabolo is still spinning.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Cup Grind

source: Jakob Schazmann (Galway, Ireland)

1: Start with the diabolo spinning quite slow and tilting towards you. It should be tilted quite allot.

2: Throw the diabolo up gently a bit higher than your head.

3: Catch the diabolo as gently as you can in the diabolo cup closest to you.

4: The diabolo will not fall off the stick because the diabolo is spinning.

5: Drop the diabolo back onto the string and smile.

Note: while the diabolo is grinding it will turn, so turn with it

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

The Fancy Minetti

(This may be easier than the Minitti Whip and more exciting.)

source: Nick Bestor

1) Begin a Clockwise Figure Eight on the Left side. This is where you begin with a clockwise sun, but at soon as it begins to rise on the left, you turn and face the left. Allow the diabolo to continue its sun up and behind you. As the sun is low and moving left begin to turn your body back to the front. The diabolo should be rising on the left side and moving toward your right up above your head. Also see Figure Eights or check out YOHO's Roll In & Roll Out movie.

(Now you can do the Minetti Whip off the right stick. Which is in reverse movements. Instructions below.)

2) As the diabolo swings closer to your right side, you need to reposition your sticks. (When the diabolo is at about 1 or 2 o'clock) Your right sticks should be positioned to point straight ahead and your left stick should point right. Your left stick is horizontal but above your right stick.

3) As the diabolo falls on your right side, (3, 4, & 5 o'clock) you should notice the string to get caught and begin to wrap around the right stick. At 6 o'clock, begin to move your left stick to the left so after the diabolo goes under the right stick and rises, it will go between both sticks.

4) The diabolo is now still moving in a Clockwise circle, but the circle is smaller. The diabolo needs to hit the string between the left and right stick at about 9 or 10 o'clock. Keep the right stick still.

5) Allow the diabolo to carry the string over the top around the rightt stick. As the diabolo reaches 3 o'clock, move the left stick next to the right stick. Both sticks should be straight out.

6) Both sticks together should guide the diabolo down, under, and up on the left side of them.

7) As the diabolo rises as a toss at 9 o'clock the sticks' ends needs to point more upward, moving up with the diabolo.

8) Suddenly pull both sticks downward. The string should snap as it releases off the diabolo. The diabolo should continue upward.

9) Catch diabolo.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Samuel's Switch

source: Samuel Lyon Lincoln, NE U.S.A.

1. First you get the diabolo spinning really really fast.

2. Do an Inverse Trapeze on the right side, but don't toss it.

3. Now keeping the right stick pointed straight head so the string loops do not slip off. Switch the hands that hold the sticks so your left stick is handed over your right. This is just a matter of handing your left stick to your right and then your left hand takes back the right stick underneath.

4. Now toss the diabolo straight up and to your right. Careful, for the diabolo will not release from all the strings and it will be stopped by the string and fall or swing off to the right side of the sticks.

5. From the right side the diabolo will swing back to below your sticks. At this point do a cross armed toss.
This is where the stick in your right hand reaches above the left hand and to the left side. At the same time the stick in your left hand reaches to the right side. This cross armed toss sends the diabolo straight up.

6. While the diabolo rises bring your arms back to a normal position for the catch.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Spaghetti Western
see Flash Movie Controls

source: Simon Welch, West Sussex, England

1) Do the moves for the Half Spaghetti trick, but don't release it. Now do the same moves again.

2) Now the diabolo is hanging down in string loops from the ends of both sticks. From that position do a Counter Clockwise Sun. After going full circle the loops will release and the diabolo will end up on crossed string and moving rightward.

3) As the diabolo finishes the Sun, allow it to continue on and go around the right stick and land in a Right Trapeze.

4) Unwrap the Right Trapeze and swing the diabolo underneath so it goes around the left stick and lands in a Left Trapeze a la Alternating Trapeze trick.

5) After the diabolo makes a left trapeze allow it to continue around one more time into an upward toss release a la Single Fritz Release.

6) Catch diabolo. Practice until fluid.

GENERALLY: Do two Half Spaghettis, a Counterclockwise Sun, a Right Trapezes, and a Left Single Fritz Release.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Pass The Spaghetti Western
see Flash Movie Controls

source: Jay  B, UK

1) Do the moves for the Half Spaghetti trick, but don't release it. Now do the moves for the Half Spaghetti trick again. Keep the strings hanging on your Left stick. See the Double Half Spaghetti for help.

2) Put the end of your Right stick in the two loops hanging off your left stick. And pull your left stick out.

3) Now the diabolo is hanging in string loops from the Right stick. From that position, keeping your right stick pointing striaght ahead, do a Clockwise movement as if you are undoing a right trapeze.

4) As the diabolo moves leftward under both sticks, allow it to continue around the left stick into a Left Trapeze.

5) Unwrap the Left Trapeze and swing the diabolo underneath so it goes around the right stick and lands in a Right Trapeze. Steps 4 & 5 are an Alternating Trapeze trick. (Left Trapeze, unwrap, Right trapeze.)

6) Now from the right trapeze position, do an Alternating Fritz Release. This is where you add another Right Trapeze and then a Left Trapeze 'stacked' on top. Release the diabolo between the sticks.

7) Catch diabolo.

GENERALLY: Do two Half Spaghettis, a Pass the Spaghetti, Clockwise Sun, an Alternating Trapeze (a left then a right), and an Alternating Fritz Release (a right then a left). Note much of the first moves are that of the Spaghetti Western with a Pass Spaghetti move inside.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Stemler's Fritz Wheel
(Right Backside to Ferris Wheel to Single Fritz Release)

source: Ivan Stemler, Brasilia - Brazil

1) Start by going to the Right Backside.

2) Now do the Ferris Wheel. The following 2a-2g instructions explain the Ferris Wheel trick. If you know the Ferris Wheel, skip to Step 3.
2a) Do a Left Trapeze.
2b) Turn right handstick end so it is facing or pointing behind you as you turn (left) to face the diabolo sideways .
2c)You should now be facing sideways to the diabolo. The left hand stick should be pointing forward (toward the audience.)   The right handstick is pointed behind you (toward back stage).
Bring the left stick to eye level.

2d) Bring the right handstick over the top of the left stick and then down to toward the floor.

Note:  You have just put the string around the diabolo a second time.  Like a double trapeze, except you should be in a vertical position.  Left on top right on bottom.

2e) Bring the diabolo near the left hand stick by pulling down on the right stick. Stay in the Vertical position Left on top, Right on bottom; with the diabolo wrapped around the left stick twice as close to the left stick as possible.

2f) Now unwind the diabolo by swinging the diabolo over the top and around the left hand stick while the Left stays up and the Right stays low.  It should go around twice and then drop down to the right stick.  Keep the left hand up.

2g) As the diabolo drops to the right stick swing it around the right stick, you should now be in a right vertical trapeze.   

3) Continue the diabolo around from the trapeze into a release off the right side. This is a Single Fritz Release.

4) The release should toss the diabolo up on the right side. Catch the diabolo.

Practise will bring a smooth trick from start to finish.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Over-the-arm Duicide

source: Rob Clement, Cornwall, UK

1) Take both sticks in the righthand.

2) Swing the diabolo to the left and up and around the left arm, so basically you have a
kind of trapeze around the arm.

3) Swing both sticks down and under the arm in a two stick suicide.

4) Catch them both, one in each hand. Note the first stick to arrive will be catch with the right hand as the tailing stick is caught by the left hand. Both catches are at the same time.

5) The hanging diabolo now has a cross of string above the axle. Now perform two (2) Right Trapezes.

6) As soon as the last trapeze is landed toss the diabolo up between the sticks and it should release from the string loops into a toss. This and the two trapezes are similar to the Fritz Release trick.

7) Catch

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Shackled Trapeze

source: Chad Lunders, Lincoln, NE, USA

1. First you get the diabolo spinning really really fast.

2. Do a Right Trapeze.

3. As quickly as you end the trapeze movement, move your sticks together, side-by-side. Both sticks are pointing staight ahead and are about to get wrapped up.

4. Now do TWO more Right Trapeze movements, but this time both sticks are wrapped with string and the diabolo ends up hanging below both sticks. So generally the diabolo moves in two counterclockwise circles around both sticks.

5. To undo, swing the diabolo in two clockwise circles around both sticks.

6. As soon as you have circled the sticks twice, quickly pull your sticks apart to a normal position.

7. As you pull the sticks apart allow the diabolo to circle around the right stick. The diabolo should now swing under your sticks on open string.

TIP: It may work better to keep the wrapped string back from the stick ends 2 or 3 inches.

Variation: Try to wrap the sticks together 3 times instead of 2.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Andy's Jumprope

source: Andy Brady

1. First you get the diabolo spinning really really fast.

2. Throw it really high.

3. Using the handsticks as handles and the rope as a jumprope, jumprope one or more times.

4. When the diabolo is right near you, jumprope again and catch the diabolo.

5. Keep going with the jump and it should send the diabolo back up in the air behind you.

6.Take a few steps back for catch.

OR take a few steps back and try to catch and throw again, as in step 5. Count how many catches and throws you can do and e-mail inventor with your record. E-mail: TollB00thwilly3@cs.com

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

e-mail Jim

HOME - ONE TRICK LISTING - TWO TRICK LISTING - FLASH Movie Controls

|)><(|