Diabolo Tricks
CRAZY KNOTS
Flash Movie Controls allow viewing larger animations with stop/step controls

see Flash Movie Controls
Fritz Release and Variations

rb = Right Backside, fr = Fritz Release, fs = Fritz (Single trapeze variation) Release, and fa = Fritz (Alternating trapeze variation) Release.

see Flash Movie Controls
Fritz Release (fr)

source: Fritz Grobe

1) Go to the Right Backside. (Toss up on right side; as diabolo falls, come down on axle with right stick's string; wrap around diabolo with right stick; arms should end up in normal position, but string should be crossed.)  rb

2) Do two regular Right Trapezes.  This may seem a bit unusual because of being on the backside, the movement is the same  fr

3) Release up between the sticks.  Point at the rising diabolo with both sticks so the string can release.  fr

see Flash Movie Controls
Single Fritz Release (fs)

1) Go to the Right Backside. Keep your arms normal, do not cross your arms after the catch.  rb

2) Do a regular Right Trapeze.  This may seem a bit unusual because of being on the backside, the movement is the same.  fs

3) Release diabolo right of both sticks. To do this swing diabolo as if you about to do a second trapeze, but instead allow the diabolo to be tossed straight up right of both sticks. Remember to point the sticks at the rising diabolo for the string to release.  fs

4) Tighten string and catch diabolo.  fs

see Flash Movie Controls
Alternating Fritz Release (fa)

1) Go to the Right Backside. Keep your arms normal, do not cross your arms after the catch.  rb

2) Do a regular Right Trapeze.  This may seem a bit unusual because of being on the backside, the movement is the same.  fa 

3) Without undoing that trapeze add a Left Trapeze.  fa

4) Release up between the sticks.  Point at the rising diabolo with both sticks so the string can release.  fa

5) Tighten string and catch diabolo.  fa

Double Fritz Release

source: Jack Howard Hopkins Jr.

1) Go to the Right Backside.

2) Do four regular Right Trapezes.

3) Undo two of the trapezes in small CW circles.

4) Release up between the sticks as with the Fritz Release.

All animations are of the performer's view.

see Flash Movie Controls
Half Spaghetti

(The release snap can be loud.)

1) Hold the left stick horizontal, about chest high and point it right.

2) With the right stick, wrap over the left stick from behind to front.

3) With the right stick, wrap under the diabolo from the right to the left.

4) Place both sticks close together with diabolo hanging below both sticks.  Toss the diabolo up right of both sticks.  Point sticks at rising diabolo and pull down with both sticks as strings release.

(Also check out More Spaghetti tricks )

All animations are of the performer's view.

see Flash Movie Controls
Macaroni

source: Nick Bestor

1) Do the Half Spaghetti around your left stick.

2) Add one more clockwise wrap around diabolo

3) Now do a regular Right Trapeze.

4) Release as a Single Fritz Release, off to the right of both sticks.

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see Flash Movie Controls
Macaroni And Cheese

source: Joshua Griffith, Florida

1) Do the Half Spaghetti around your left stick.

2) Add one more clockwise wrap around diabolo

3) Now do two regular Right Trapezes.

4) Release as a Fritz Release, so the diabolo goes up in between your two sticks.

All animations are of the performer's view.

		Animation by: J.S.
	see Flash Movie Controls Wet Noodle
	source: Jack Howard Hopkins Jr.

1) Do the Half Spaghetti around your left stick.

2) Now do a regular Right Trapeze. (Or you can substitute a Left Trapeze after pulling the string out a bit.)

3) Toss diabolo up between sticks, point sticks at rising diabolo, and pull down release.
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My Poor Meatball
(spaghetti variation, works best with a diabolo that will bounce)

source: Naoise and Jack, Ireland

1) From a normal start and good spin, point Left stick right and raise horizontally.

2) Do the Spaghetti (see 2a - 2d for instructions):
2a) With Right stick, wrap (from back) over stick.

2b)Wrap (from right) under axle.

2c)Wrap (from front) over stick.

2d)Wrap (from left) under axle.

3) Slowly pull sticks apart to almost normal position.

4) Get ready to toss the diabolo between sticks.

5) Toss the diabolo aiming to the right slightly and pull sticks releasing string loops and diabolo.

6) Allow the diabolo to hit the floor.

7) Catch on string by doing a Floor Rebound.
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Odd Spaghetti

source: Jonathan Levin

1) Do TwoHalf Spaghetti wraps without releasing them. This is like the four moves to the Spaghetti trick but repeating the first two moves twice.

2) Now do the last move of the Waterfall trick where you flip the diabolo 'over the falls' between the sticks. This is simply the same move as returning from a Left Trapeze.

3) With all the strings on your sticks, cross your arms and sticks (right under left.)

4) Now toss the diabolo upward from this cross-armed position allowing the string loops to slip off the ends of the sticks as the diabolo rises.

5) Catch diabolo!

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Spaghetti On The Side

(Odd Spaghetti/Wet Noodle variation)

source: Within

1) Do TwoHalf Spaghetti wraps without releasing them. This is like the four moves to the Spaghetti trick but repeating the first two moves twice.

2) Now do a Right Trapeze even though the strings are very short. This is similar to the Wet Noodle Trapezes.

3) Swing the diabolo out to the side and upward and the diabolo should release into a toss similar to the Single Fritz Release trick's ending. Make sure to toss the diabolo right of both the sticks or the strings will tangle.

4) Catch diabolo!

NOTE: Step 2 can be two right trapezes or one right and one left (alternating trapezes), instead of one, but the release toss (step 3) is in between the sticks. You can call two right trapeze variation, a 'Second Helping' or Wrapped Spaghetti' and alternating trapezes 'Stacked Spaghetti.'

All animations are of the performer's view.

	see Flash Movie Controls Vanishing Bridge	source: Rich Munoz---Colorado USA

1) From a normal starting position, go to the Right Backside. (The Right Backside move is often called Release and Recapture off to your Right side)

2) After 'capturing' the diabolo with the right stick, point your Left stick right and hold it up and level with the floor. Your Right stick should end up pointing left and also level with the floor. (So both sticks are parallel to each other with the Left above the Right.)

3) Keeping the Right stick still, and keeping both sticks parallel to each other, bring the Left stick toward you and down under the Right stick. (NOTE: as you make this movement, the diabolo shouldn't move, account the constant tension you should keep on the string wrapping over the right stick.)

4) With the Left stick now below the Right 'tuck' the Left stick end 'behind' the string near it. (Now the Right stick is above the Left, they are still parallel to each other, pointed the way they were, and level with the ground.)

5) Keeping the Left stick still, and keeping both sticks parallel to each other, bring the Right stick toward you and down under the Left stick. (NOTE: as you make this movement, the diabolo shouldn't move, account the constant tension you should keep on the string wrapping over the right stick.)

6) With the Right stick now below the Left 'tuck' the Right stick end 'behind' the string near it. (Now the Left stick is above the Right, they are still parallel to each other, pointed the way they were, and level with the ground.)

7) Keeping the Left stick still, and keeping both sticks parallel to each other, move the Right stick away from you and down under the Left stick. (NOTE: as you make this movement, the diabolo should rise nearing the Left stick.)

8) Keeping the Right stick still, and keeping both sticks parallel to each other, move the Left stick away from you and down under the Right stick AND diabolo. (NOTE:there should be an opening of crossed strings at the cent of the stick so the diabolo can be positioned between both sticks with the Right above it's axle and the Left below it's axle.)

9) The configuration of the sticks and string are to resemble a tressle bridge. The diabolo is merely a pedestrian caught in the middle. Hold this for presentation.

10) Now make the bridge 'Vanish' by pulling both sticks away from each other. Pull to tighten string and the diabolo should release below the string and begin to fall.

11) Try to pull the sticks so the diabolo falls off to your right side. This is important for it is to bounce off the floor and if it is to the right the bounce will bring it back center. (Note: a good bouncing diabolo is the Henry Circus.)

12) After the bounce, catch the diabolo to end the trick. If your diabolo is not a good bouncer, just let the diabolo hit the floor. audience members are often amused by those things they don't except.
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Redundant Fritz Release

source: Michael Gibbs & Joey, Minnesota, USA

1) Do the beginning of a Redone Trapeze on the Right side. This is where you do a Right Trapeze, but miss landing the diabolo on the string so it falls toward you and hangs between the sticks. Now swing the diabolo clockwise up between the sticks so it hits the string across as it goes over the right stick. Then the diabolo should stop after going over the Right stick and be hanging on the other side of it.

2) Repeat the last move by swinging the diabolo clockwise around the Right stick making sure it goes into the string across as it rises. It should end up hanging on the right side of the Right stick as before. This is sometimes referred to as doing two Redone Trapezes. Problems with this are that the string often slips off the end of the Right stick, so take care that your Right stick stays level and doesn't point downward.

3) Now tilt your stick slightly downward, allowing the strings to slip off and the diabolo to drop down and hang at the normal position. Note that the string is in a 'cross'. The previous moves have put you in a backside position.

4) Do a Right Trapeze. Hint: The remainder of the trick is simply the ending to the Single Fritz Release.

5) Now keeping your sticks together, swing the diabolo out rightward and up (counter-clockwise) into a toss. The stick should release off the sticks, freeing the diabolo to rise up alone.

6) Catch Diabolo.

Note: Performing two Redone Trapezes and dropping them puts the diabolo on the Backside of the string. It is a different way of getting to the Backside. Here the Single Fritz Release is used, but any other trick that requires a Backside setup can continue the trick.
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Justice

source: John Lipinski

1) Do Half Spaghetti, but don't toss it

2) Holding your left stick in front of you, put your right stick in the loop you just formed by doing the half spaghetti and separate the sticks. This forms a sort of cradle with the axle wrapped with string.

3) Now do a Right Trapeze. You should now see an awkward looking string going from your left stick 'across' to your right stick that is above the diabolo.

4) Dip your left stick downward so that the 'string across' mentioned in step 3 falls off. This leaves all your loops around your diabolo hanging from the right stick.

6) Throw your diabolo straight up between the sticks, like a normal toss. (If all is done correctly the diabolo will have no wraps or tangles and freely launch.)

7) Catch!

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Nick's Knot

source: Nick Bestor

1) Do the beginning of a Left Waterfall. (reach over your left stick with your right and then wrap under the diabolo)

2) Now do a Half Spaghetti, but don't release it off the string. (Half Spaghetti: reach from behind your left stick with your right, bring your right stick over the left and pull it toward you, then finish with the right stick by wrapping under the diabolo from right to left.)

3) Now come under the diabolo with the Right stick, wrap the string around the outer cup and bring the stick back out to the right.

4) Toss the diabolo.

5) Point your sticks at the rising diabolo. (string loops should slip off sticks)

5) Catch diabolo.

All animations are of the performer's view.

		Animation by: J.S.
	see Flash Movie Controls Sun Knot
		source: Nick Bestor

1) Do the beginning of a Left Waterfall. (reach over your left stick with your right and then wrap under the diabolo)

2) Now do a Half Spaghetti and release it off to your right, but don't expect it to release off the string. (Half Spaghetti: reach from behind your left stick with your right, bring your right stick over the left and pull it toward you, then finish with the right stick by wrapping under the diabolo from right to left.)

3) As you release the Diabolo from the Half Spaghetti, toss it off to your right side, beginning a Counterclockwise Sun.

4) At the end of the Sun you can toss the diabolo for the diabolo should be on open string and free.

5) Catch diabolo.

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see Flash Movie Controls
Snapping the Violin String

source: Leendert van Wolfswinkel, The Netherlands

1) Begin by doing an Overarm Scoop Catch and Sun.

The Scoop Catch is the action of tossing upward with the left toss, swinging the right arm and handstick counter clockwise, and then 'scooping' up to catch the diabolo.  'Scooping' is done by rotating the right stick and arm at the right elbow to the left (CC), so the string off the right handstick is below the falling diabolo.  The end of the right handstick moves from 3 o'clock to 9 o'clock for the catch and the string for the catch is horizontal.

The Scoop Sun is a sun created when the right stick is swung clockwise and the diabolo follows it on the string.  The swing needs to be forceful enough to create a nice clockwise circle to return the diabolo to a position below the handsticks. In this trick the diabolo continues to swing under the left stick and upward. 

2) As the diabolo Suns around to your left side, caught it in a Left Trapeze.

The Left Trapeze is where the diabolo is swung Clockwise starting under both sticks. Both sticks are held pointing forward as the diabolo swings upward on the left side. Allow the diabolo to go around your Left stick and land on the string between your sticks. In normal Trapezes the action stops here, but this time you will allow the diabolo to continue a second time around the stick. During this second time around the Right stick needs to move closer to the Left stick to allow for all the wrapped string the Left stick and diabolo need.

3) Allow the diabolo to continue under the left stick after the trapeze. This is the same as the ending of the Single Fritz Release.

The Single Fritz Release allows the diabolo continue around the stick again. To do this, swing the diabolo as if you are about to do a second trapeze, but instead of stopping on the string, allow the diabolo to be tossed straight up left of both sticks. Remember to point the sticks at the rising diabolo for the string to release.

4) As with the Single Fritz Release the diabolo goes from under the left stick to be tossed up on the left side.

5) As the diabolo rises point both sticks toward it so the string loops release off the stick allowing the diabolo become free.

6) Catch diabolo.

Note: This trick is a variation of the (Left) Single Fritz Release where the Overarm Scoop Catch and Sun action puts the diabolo on the left backside ready for the left trapeze and release.

Check out a Combo including this trick.
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One Handed Fritz Release

source: Oliver

1) Transfer both sticks into your right hand and hold them in a “V” big enough to go around the diabolo.
NOTE: Steps 1-3 are basically the Flux Capacitor Trick see animation.

2) Hold the string in your left hand up and jump the diabolo onto it so that you are holding it on a string between your stick and hand.

3) Make the sticks go over the diabolo and down, making the diabolo pass through them. The diabolo should climb. (unless your diabolo has an one-way bearing axle)

4) Let go with your left hand and let the diabolo swing down in an anti-clockwise circle to the right. Your right hand is holding the sticks in a wide 'V' - flat like holding a frying pan.

5) Now direct the diabolo to swing back to the left. Continue the diabolo in a clockwise circle so it swings up around the the left stick into a Left Trapeze. This may be the 'trickiest' part of this trick. Practice holding the 'V' of sticks wide, but with added strength in holding the left stick straight forward. As with any trapeze the stick's tip needs to be level or the string loops will slip off the end.

6) With your right hand, swing the diabolo to your left and upward into a toss. The strings will release as the diabolo rises.

7) Transfer the left stick back into your left hand and catch the falling diabolo.

8) Smile

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Backside Bow and Arrow

source: Trevor, California, United States

1) Start with a Right Backside.

2) Do a Left Inverse Trapeze (see & reverse instructions for right Inverse Trapeze), but on the last move, have the diabolo miss the string away from you. This is where the diabolo swings clockwise, but instead of finishing on the string, the diabolo 'misses' on the audience side (the outside) of that string. This leaves the diabolo hanging below the left stick with a wrap of string around that stick.

3) Now swing that hanging diabolo out leftward in a clockwise circle so it lands on the string.

4) Do a Left Trapeze (or Right Trapeze.)

5) Toss the diabolo up between the sticks to release the knot. The diabolo should release from the string loops and rise in a toss.
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Daniel's Overarm Sun Release
(Snapping the Violin String variation)

source: Daniel, The Netherlands

1) From Over-The-Arm Orbits so an Overarm Scoop Catch and Sun. This is also the same beginning as the Snapping the Violin String.

The Scoop Catch is the action of tossing upward with the left toss, swinging the right arm and handstick counter clockwise, and then 'scooping' up to catch the diabolo.  'Scooping' is done by rotating the right stick and arm at the right elbow to the left (CC), so the string off the right handstick is below the falling diabolo.  The end of the right handstick moves from 3 o'clock to 9 o'clock for the catch and the string for the catch is horizontal.

The Scoop Sun is a sun created when the right stick is swung clockwise and the diabolo follows it on the string.  The swing needs to be forceful enough to create a nice clockwise circle to return the diabolo to a position below the handsticks. In this trick the diabolo continues to swing under the left stick and upward.

2)  Using the momentum of clockwise Scoop Sun continue with another Clockwise Sun.

3) After the diabolo has finished its second circle (sun), quickly reverse the Sun direction to counterclockwise. Note that the diabolo is on crossed string which is the Right Backside.

4) Just as soon as the diabolo rises to your right side, stop the diabolo in Two Right Trapezes.

5) Finish with a release toss upward between the sticks as with the Fritz Release.
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Echo's Mystery Cradle

source: Echo, USA

1) Do an Right Inverse Trapeze. Keep both sticks pointing forward, do not release it.

2) From the left stick's end the string should go over the Right stick and down to the diabolo. With the Left handstick remove that string off the right stick so the string goes from the left stick to the diabolo.

3) Now there is one loop of string over the right stick. Place the Left handstick's end into the near side of the loop. With the loop now hooked on the Left stick, bring the Left stick back to the left pointing forward. Now that loop of string is around both sticks.

4) The diabolo now sits inside an unusual cradle. Take a look at this cradle. Amazingly the diabolo can be tossed upward out of this symmetric mess without getting tangled. The Mystery is establishing the timing required to release the loop from both stick ends and then launching the diabolo before the strings unravel.

5) There is a controversy as to what it takes to release the diabolo between the sticks. If you find this 'mystery' release too frustrating, then toss the diabolo off to the side with both sticks together on the other side. Remember to swing the diabolo upward in such a way that allows the string loops to slip off the end of the upward pointing sticks.

6) Catch the falling diabolo.
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Harry's Release

source: Harry Jowett

1) 1. Do two Inverse Trapezes. That is, to do one Inverse Trapeze without releasing it and then do another Inverse Trapeze without releasing it.

2) Then do a Right Trapeze.

3) Bring the sticks together as the diabolo hangs below.

4) Swing the diabolo to the right of both of the sticks into an upward toss. As the diabolo rises, the strings should fall from the diabolo, allowing release into a toss.

5) Pull the sticks outwards.

6) Catch diabolo

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Weaving A Rainbow

source: Will, Porland, Or (PDX)

1) Hold the diabolo off to your Left side and face Left so your sticks are pointing in front of you and you are looking at the side of the diabolo.

Steps 2-4 are like 'WEAVING' a cradle.

2) Reach in front of and around the left stick with the right stick's end.

3) Pull back with the right stick so it's string drags across the top of the left stick. Don't pull back very far.

4) Now there should be a triangle of string down to the diabolo. Poke your right stick in the triangle just below the left stick section of the triangle. Keep your left stick pointing ahead, but your right stick is pointing away from the audience.

5) Begin to do a 'Stir The Pot' or 'Coffee Grinder' movement with the right stick. This is where the left stick points ahead and the right stick (still pointing away from the audience) begins to move clockwise around the diabolo. Your right elbow will be toward the audience as you circle around the diabolo once. The aim here is to wrap all the strings under the diabolo's axle.

6) After coming under the diabolo, stop your 'stirring' movement and allow the diabolo to hang off both sticks. Both sticks, held side-by-side are pointing to the Left, which is straight ahead of you.

7) Now hand the left stick to the right hand so the right hand is holding both sticks. With a determined movement, pull both sticks up and to the Right. You are swinging the diabolo into a rainbow toss from left to right. While doing this begin to turn your body counterclockwise away from the audience. As the diabolo rises, point your sticks at it as it moves over them and to the right. (This will allow the string loops to release off your sticks, freeing the diabolo.)

8) Continue turning as the diabolo goes over on your (original) right side.

9) When you are facing right swing the string off your right sticks toward the falling diabolo for a fantastic Whip Catch ending.

Having problems with the strings not releasing, but they do eventually release manually?

TIP: Skip the 'stir' movement by not doing steps 4 and 5. Instead swing your right stick's end under the diabolo so the diabolo ends up on all the strings. The strings are not so tangled and will release a bit easier. You may find that a more open diabolo like a Mister Babche or Renegade won't give you this problem.

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