DIABOLO

(Click photos to enlarge)

    The diabolo is a cross between a top and a yo-yo. Most diabolos are shaped like an hourglass, and are spun on a string at the juncture of the two hourglass halves. The best diabolos for educational use are made of rubber - they are durable, and are not harmed by long drops to the floor.

   Please Note: The instructions in this section are for right-handers. Simply reverse all instructions for lefties.
 
 

1. The Basic Spin: Place the diabolo on the ground on top of the string, with one of the diabolo’s open ends facing you. Hold the string taut with the handsticks about shoulder width apart.  Roll the diabolo to the LEFT, and quickly pick it up before it stops rolling. The diabolo will remain spinning in the center of the string.
In the early stages, the dominant hand will do most of the work. This can be called the “Power Hand”.  Keep the diabolo spinning by continually pulling up with the Power Hand. Pull up gently but firmly. It should feel as if you are continuously pulling the string of a spinning top.

3. Correcting Tilt: The diabolo may tilt forward or backward, and this must be corrected to keep if from falling off the string. This is done with the Power Hand, while the non-dominant hand generally stays still.
 
 

If the diabolo tilts forward pull back towards your body, while also pumping up and down with the Power Hand.  When the diabolo is even again, go back to pumping normally with the Power Hand.
If the diabolo tilts back toward you, push forward with the Power Hand while continuing the up and down pumps. Go back to normal when the tilt is corrected.

    If the diabolo rotates sideways, simply move your body accordingly to keep the open end facing you. It is crucial to keep pumping with the Power Hand while correcting tilt.

1. Throwing & Catching: The diabolo must have a fast, stable spin before throwing. To throw, pull the handsticks forcefully apart. This will cause the string to quickly come taut and spring the diabolo upwards, launching it straight up.
 
 

To catch, hold the string taut (there should be no slack), raise the Power Hand’s stick up to point directly at the diabolo. Wait until the diabolo makes contact with the string before returning to the normal spin position.  A correct catching position has the Power Hand up, and the string nearly vertical.

2. Jump Rope: Throw the diabolo up, jump over the string like a jump rope, and then catch the diabolo. Try a double jump!

3. Throwing & Catching with a Partner: Partners should stand SIDE BY SIDE at a distance of at least 10-15 feet. It is easiest (for right-handers) to catch the diabolo when it is thrown from left to right.

    When throwing, quickly pull the string taut with it angled slightly toward your partner. This will cause the diabolo to fly over to your partner high enough for her to get underneath it and make the catch.

    The catcher should hold her string taut with the Power Hand up, with the string at about a 45º angle open to the oncoming diabolo. Align the string with the diabolo, and keep it taut until the diabolo lands on the string.

    Diabolo strings should be firmly tied to the handsticks with a bowline knot. Strings will occasionally break or become tangled, necessitating a change. It is also prudent to have very clear cleanup procedures for diabolo equipment, especially for winding the string around the handsticks to avoid tangles.

    If handsticks are put away carelessly the strings can become hopelessly tangled, and become a major waste of time for the teacher. A good class rule is that diabolos and their handsticks must either be handed to another person to use, or put away properly, with the string wrapped securely around the sticks. When they have been wrapped and secured, the handsticks can be put in a bucket, string ends up.