Diabolo Tricks
BEGINNING TRAPEZES
See also Trapezes

written for righties

For viewing larger animations with stop/step controls; click Flash Movie Controls
Right Trapeze
Left Trapeze
Trapezes
(Also called a Stopover, an End-over, or Around-The-World with a Stopover.)
see Flash Movie Controls

See also Basic Trapeze From-Above animation

Right Trapeze Instructions:

1) Get the diabolo spinning and from normal position swing the diabolo to the left a bit, keeping your sticks in the normal position.

2) As the diabolo stops its left swing and begins to swing back right, give it more swing to the right, still holding your sticks the same way.

3) Your Counterclockwise swing should be enough for the diabolo to go to the right, up and over the right stick. As it is swinging move your right stick straight ahead a little so the string begins to wrap around it as the diabolo swings around it.

4) After the diabolo begins to drop down between your sticks it needs to land on the string now between your sticks. The hardest part of this trick is getting the diabolo to land on the string. If your swing is even and your right stick is straight out, the diabolo should land there naturally. If something's a bit crooked you may need to catch the diabolo on the string by slightly moving your handsticks.

5) The diabolo can sit there and spin, continue to keep the sticks in normal position.

6) To return, pull the right stick out to the right forcing the diabolo to swing CW until it returns to the starting position.

NOTE: If you keep missing the string, check your Right stick angle. Your Right stick needs to be parellel to the axle of the diabolo.

Left Trapeze Instructions:

0) This is obviously the same as the Right Trapeze instructions only on the left side. Right handers will usually find this Left Trapeze to be harder at first. Focus needs to be on keeping the left stick stright ahead and the string straight at a right angle to that left stick.
Note: If you keep miss landing the diabolo on the string toward you, see the Redone Trapeze .

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Double On Trapeze
see Flash Movie Controls

source: Stupendous

1) Do a Right Trapeze, but try to keep the diabolo close to the left stick so there is room on the string for another trapeze.

2) Now you can do another right trapeze. (If there is enough string right of the diabolo and your diabolo is still spinning good, you can add another trapeze.)

3) After letting the diabolo spin there for a while, pull out with the right stick to begin the diabolo's reverse return. Here the diabolo needs to make two clockwise circles around the right stick before returning to the normal position. Try to make the returning circles continuous.

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Wrapped Trapezes
see Flash Movie Controls
1) Do a right trapeze (as explained above), but try to keep the diabolo close to the left stick so there is room on the string for another trapeze.

2) Now you can do another right trapeze. (If there is enough string right of the diabolo and your diabolo is still spinning good.)

3) Now you may be able to add even more right trapeze(s), remember how many you did. (If there is enough string right of the diabolo and your diabolo is still spinning good.)

4) After letting the diabolo spin there for a while, pull out with the right stick to begin the diabolo's reverse return. Here the diabolo needs to make as many clockwise circles as you did trapezes. Try to make the returning circles continuous.

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Alternating Trapezes
see Flash Movie Controls

1) Start with a Right Trapeze.

2) Now undo the Right Trapeze by pulling right with the right stick and circling clockwise around the diabolo.

3) The diabolo should swing below your sticks toward the left stick. Allow the diabolo to swing up over the left stick into a Left Trapeze.

4) Now undo the Left Trapeze by pulling left with the leftt stick and circling counter clockwise around the diabolo.

5) Repeat as long as your spin and heart allows.

Note: It is also possible to alternate trapezes without returns or Stacked Trapezes,
but this does use up your string and you need to plan for string room.
Returning from such a combination requires undoing
your trapezes in the exact opposite that they were done.

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Stacked Trapezes
see Flash Movie Controls

1) Do a Right Trapeze (as explained above), but try to make your trapeze bigger than normal so the diabolo is closer to the left stick than the right.

2) Now do a Left Trapeze. There should be enough room to do this. You should now see a lot of string wrapped around the sticks and diabolo.

3) After letting the diabolo spin there for a while, pull out with the left stick to begin the diabolo's reverse return. Here the diabolo makes a counter clockwise circle around the left handstick.

4) Now pull out with the right to return the diabolo. Here the diabolo makes a clockwise circle around the right stick to return the diabolo to open string.

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Animation by J.S.

Trapeze Grind
(Good beginning way to learn Grinds.)
see Flash Movie Controls

source: Ronan Casey (Ireland)

1) Do a Right Trapeze. While the diabolo is sitting in the trapeze spinning, turn your left stick to point right.

2) Lift up with the right stick so you can point the end of your left stick under the diabolo's axle. Your left stick needs to be horizontal.

3) Move your left stick more to the right and set the diabolo on the left stick so it spins there (grinds). Return is similar manner as returning from trapeze.

More Grinds

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Trapeze Cradle Diabolo Trick

Trapeze Cradle
(Good beginning way to learn Cradles.)
see Flash Movie Controls

1) Do a Right Trapeze. While the diabolo is sitting in the trapeze spinning, gradually move both your stick ends together allowing the diabolo to hang lower.

2) With your left stick end, point at the closes loop of string over the right stick. Now hook under that loop with your left stick and begin to pull your sticks apart. Your sticks should both be straight out and parallel with each other as you pull,

3) Notice the closest string to you. Stop pulling the sticks apart when that string is almost touching the near cup of the diabolo.

4) Now toss the diabolo up off the other strings. After tossing keeping your sticks parallel to each other and begin pointing them both straight up (like holding two candles).

5) Between your sticks you should have a cross of strings. Catch the falling diabolo on the center of the cross and allow it to set and spin.

6) Return to normal position by pointing sticks, first at each other, then downward. After diabolo is in normal position move sticks straight out.

NOTE: A different way of getting to the Left Backside of the string is to do steps 1-3, then toss the diabolo and catch it on the bottom string of the cradle only. To do this hold the cradle out horizontal after you toss. After the catch allow the diabolo to drop between your sticks, where it should be in the backside twist. Oddly enough from the left backside you can make a Cat's Cradle!

More Cradles

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Chinese Suicide
(Good beginning way to learn Suicides.)
see Flash Movie Controls

1) Do a Right Trapeze. While the diabolo is sitting in the trapeze spinning, turn your left stick to point right toward the diabolo's axle. Imagine you are standing before a huge clock and the move left handstick to about 11 o'clock. The left stick's end still is pointing at the axle and the stick should now be at a 45 degree angle.

2) When you're ready let go of the left stick. As the stick begins to drop, turn your left hand over so your thumb is up and palm faces right ready to catch the soon-to-return left handstick. Move your hand above the right stick. (Note: Normally with a large diabolo you only need to let go of the stick, if your diabolo is a bit lighter in weight, you may need to push down the stick as it is leaving your hand. This problem can also happen if your hand sticks are heavier than most.)

3) The handstick should make a complete circle around the diabolo and back to the spot your hand is waiting. Your right stick doesn't need to be moved.

4) Catch the stick as it hits your palm. You may catch the stick down too far and not on the handle. Practice to find where your left hand needs to be positioned right after the drop so the catch is clean. Return to normal by repositioning your left grip.

More Chinese Suicides

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e-mail Jim

Trapezes - Basics - Terms and Explanations - Beginning Suns
Check out these easy trapeze tricks on the Body Action page : Finger Trapeze - Wrist Trapeze

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