DEVIL STICKS

(Click photos to enlarge)

    Devil Sticks are a manipulative skill, derived from a form of staff manipulation practiced in  China. One large stick is manipulated with two smaller sticks that are held in the hands. Devil Sticks have become popular with kids recently, and many students may already own a set.
 

Some Devil Sticks are simply straight sticks which taper inwards to provide weight at the ends. Others have balls, pom-poms, or leather tassels at the ends to provide counterweight. Some are also coated with rubber or tape, creating a high-grip surface for contact with handsticks.

    The two simplest manipulations with the Devil Stick are "Single Sticking" and "Double Sticking". Many students will already know the Double Sticking technique.
 
 

1. Single Sticking: One handstick contacts the devil stick at a time. Hold each handstick at the bottom, and point them forward. The hands should be about shoulder width apart. Stand up the devil stick on the ground, resting on one of the handsticks. The handstick should contact the devil stick on its upper quarter. Practice balancing the devil stick on each handstick. The devil stick should be PUSHED across and CAUGHT, rather than being hit back and forth.

    When students can move the devil stick back and forth on the ground and keep it under control, they are ready to begin lifting it into the air. Encourage them to keep a steady, even cadence.

2. Double Sticking: Both handsticks contact the devil stick simultaneously. Stand up the devil stick and place the handsticks on either side - one at the bottom quarter, one at the top quarter.

    As you push the devil stick back and forth, the handsticks switch positions on each contact. So if the left handstick is at the top quarter of the devil stick on the first contact, it will be at the bottom quarter for the second contact, while the opposite is true for the right handstick.

1. The Flip: Using the single sticking technique, push the devil stick harder on one side, allow it to make a flip, and then stop it by catching with the other handstick.

    Stand up the devil stick on the ground. Flip it once, catch on the other handstick, and then stop.

    Repeat the previous step, but try to continue devil sticking after the flip.

    Begin manipulating the devil stick normally, and then try a flip.

    Be sure to give students a safe practice area - they will soon be trying triple and quadruple flips!

2. Helicopter Spin: Two handsticks are used to spin the devil stick parallel to he ground, like a helicopter blade. One handstick pulls, while the other pushes.

3. Airplane Spin: Contacting the devil stick just below the middle point with one handstick, continuously catch and lift as it rotates sideways toward the outside of the body. It looks like an airplane propeller.

    Stand up the devil stick and place one handstick just below the midpoint. Pull up on the handstick and allow the devil stick to rotate around it toward the outside of your body. Stop it again when it comes around by catching near the top.

    When you can do one spin and stop, try two continuous spins. Instead of catching it after one rotation, repeat the catch just below the midpoint and pull up on the handstick. This should continue the rotation one more time.

    To continuously spin the devil stick, keep catching just below the midpoint and give it lift up each time it comes around.

4. Throwing to a Partner: Partners stand side by side about three feet apart, each with two handsticks. One person manipulates the devil stick, while the other waits for the throw.

    Give the stick a push and flip it over to your partner. The catcher must stop the devil stick’s spin with the far side handstick, and then begin manipulating the devil stick.