Diabolo Stick Grinds and Suicides Book

INTRODUCTION

Firstly, a word of warning: this is not a book for the complete beginner. If you are new to the diabolo, or have never even touched one before, I would suggest you start with one of the introductory books which are available before you aspire to stick grinds and suicides.

If, however, you can already get the little rascal spinning and have a handful of basic tricks under your belt, then prepare to be inspired by some of the most baffling and flashy diabolo tricks around. Indeed, even if you are an “expert” and can string together sequences of moves, this text will provide links and manoeuvres to enhance even the fanciest of repertoires.

For most of these moves have never before been published; several, in fact, have only recently been created !

As the popularity of juggling continues to increase, so does the public demand for new tricks. When a ball juggler has mastered Mill’s Mess and Chops, naturally they do not, simply rest on their laurels, but rather‘seeks new patterns to challenge his dexterity. Fortunately for them, there are several advanced juggling books available. But for diabolists - until now - there has been little published to stimulate them beyond the string climb and “skip the rope.”

What this book aims to do is to take two skills (the humble “stick grind” and the aptly named “suicide” and illustrate a dozen different tricks of varying difficulty based on each. I’ve even included a combination move at the end for anyone who enjoys a real challenge !

The tricks in this volume range from the relatively easy to the mind numbingly difficult. Some may take only minutes to learn, others may take weeks, but you have my solemn word that they are all possible.

All it takes is practice and patience - and if you’ve managed to read this entire waffling introduction, the patience part shouldn’t be too much of a problem...

So without further ado, pick up your handsticks, turn the page and good luck !

Donald Grant - September 1992

STICK GRINDS

A “stick grind” is any trick where the diabolo spins (or “grinds”) against the handstick. Many disregard grinds as an unimpressive throwaway trick. Hopefully this section will convince you otherwise...

Throughout the section on grinds I shall be using the following terms:

outward grind: this is where the diabolo is spinning away from the hand. It lasts longer than and is slightly easier than the...
inward grind, where the diabolo is spinning towards the hand. Both should be learned (on both left and right sticks) to ensure success in some of these tricks.

Note the handstick angle.

A fair measure of spin is also necessary for most grinds, so a good dose of whipping will be required before attempting each mmove.

Here are several handy hints guaranteed to help your diabolo grind further:

Rubbing small amounts of wax into your handsticks. Using handsticks made from aluminium or fibreglass. Spray painting or lacquering your sticks (nicer looking too !) Using a diabolo with a one piece axle.

By employing one or more of these aids you can ensure a much smoother and (almost) endless spin upon your handsticks.

So don’t just sit there: wax up and get grinding !

EASY STICK GRIND

This is the first - and sometimes the only - stick grind trick that people learn. It provides essential practice for getting used to the sensation of grinding.

The trick itself is very simple:

1) Raise one handstick while holding the other at the correct angle (depending on whether the diabolo is spinning “inward” or “outward.”

2) Allow the diabolo to slip onto the lower stick and grind there for a moment.

3) Let the diabolo slip back onto the string.

Practice both inward and outward grinds on both right and left sticks as you will need them later!

PROPER STICK GRIND

These are a slightly harder (but much more impressive) progression from easy grinds.

Firstly, try throwing the diabolo onto the stick, grinding, then rolling it back onto the string.

Got that ? Now try rolling it onto the stick, grinding, and throwing it from the stick back onto the string.

Once these are both mastered, simply combine the two to create the “proper” grindie: throw onto stick grind throw back onto string.

Again - try learning these on both sides spinning in both directions. Your audience will be deeply impressed.

STICK SWITCH GRIND

If you can do “proper” grinds, you shouldn’t have any problem with this trick.

1) Throw the diabolo onto your right handstick.

2) Allow it to grind there for a moment, then throw it up again.

3) Catch it on the left handstick.

4) Allow it to grind there for a moment, then throw it up again.

5) And so on, and so on, and...

Repeat until your diabolo runs out of spin or you become bored!

Remember to learn this with both outward and inward spins.

OVERHEAD GRIND

A dramatic grinding move to which you can add theatrical poses for extra excitement (!)

1) Perform a “proper” grind.

2) Throw the diabolo, catching it above your head on the underside of the stick.

This is harder than it sounds as you have to experiment with different angles for inward and outward grinds.

3) Throw the diabolo back down into “proper” grind position.

As I keep saying, learn this trick both ways on both sides. It’ll keep you busy if nothing else!

To add more dash and swash-buckle to this move, try pretending your handstick is a sword and your diabolo is your sworn enemy. Perform the overhead grind with a kind of thrust-parry-thrust movement and lots of “take that, and that.” Some people find this sort of thing amusing...

SWING TO OVERHEAD GRIND

This move is similar to the previous one but looks far nicer in the middle of a sequence.

1) Start performing a “round the world” swing.

2) Catch the diabolo and string against the handstick in the same manner as an overhead grind.

3)Push the diabolo off the way it came.

NOTE: The diabolo does not leave the string in this move.

For a really pathetic effect (which your audience will probably find “very funny”) try pretending that the diabolo weighs several thousand tons as you struggle manfully to maintain the overhead grind.

Very comical, I don’t think !

RAINBOW THROW GRIND

Basically, this is a harder type of stick switch grind. It’s worth the extra practice, provoking whoops and cheers where audiences would usually just mumble passively (well, probably).

1) Start an inward grind on the right handstick.

2) Throw the diabolo in a rainbow shaped arc above your head.

3) Turn 180 degrees to catch the diabolo on your left hand stick (NB - it will now be grinding in an outward direction).

The best thing to do is to play around with different combinations, from right to left and left to right, until you find the easiest one for you.

Oh, and then learn the harder versions.

And if you find a pot of gold at the end of your rainbow grind... I think you’ve been practicing too hard.

AUSTRALIAN GRIND

A rather sad little trick which can occasionally raise a smile or two in an otherwise unappreciative audience.

Announce to the crowd/huddle/solitary bystander that you will now miraculously grind the diabolo upside down on the underside of the handstick !

1) Loop the string over the handle of the left handstick.

2) Pull the right handstick slowly out to the right.

3) As the string pulls through, the diabolo will rise and grind gently against the underside of the stick. Let the string slip back through and return to normal position.

Remember to duck to avoid anything being thrown by your unappreciative and now thoroughly unimpressed audience.

GRIND TO RUBBERWRIST CATCH

A much more “showy” way to get out of a stick grind.

1) Get into a “proper” stick grind.

2) Throw the diabolo over the back of your hand (no higher than your shoulder).

3) Bend your wrist down and back as far as it will go (into a sort of arm-lock position) so your handstick now points backwards.

4) Tighten the string, upon which you catch the descending diabolo, allowing it to swing back through.

REMEMBER: the catch occurs on the string, not the stick.

A big hint: do this trick quickly - before your wrist realises that it isn’t supposed to bend that way!

STOPOVER GRIND TO MAGIC STRINGALONG

A combination move involving swing, grind and string tricks. Impressive for audiences, yet needs only medium skill to learn.

1) Swing the diabolo as if for a “round the world stopover.”

2) Instead of catching on the string, turn the handstick inwards to catch the diabolo in a grind.

3) In one smooth movement, slip the grinding diabolo on to the string and pull the stick slowly in a vertical direction.

The string will pull through into one (longer than expected) length.

4) Pop the diabolo back over the handstick as in a “round the world stopover”.

SHOWBIZ HINT: Pretend to be surprised at how much string you manage to pull through. Then again - your audience may not actually care...

Remain calm at all times.

WILLY GRINDS

Vulgar name, impressive trick! Takes quite a bit of practice just to keep your balance.

1) Get the diabolo into a “proper” grind.

2) Throw the diabolo no more than 2 or 3 feet into the air.

3) As the diabolo is in flight, raise one handstick above your head. This will help the string clear your body as you bring the other handstick round behind you.

Raising one leg, hold the handstick between your legs.

4) Catch the diabolo on this stick, grind for a

moment, then throw it back into a “proper” grind.

For extra credit, try “trilly” grinds - trebla willy grinds - where both feet must remain on the floor at all times ! (Clue: arch your back)

Oh, and “ally” grinds - albert willy grinds (between the legs from the front) are also possible.

PIROUETTE GRIND

The pirouette grind is one of the flashier “Las Vegas” style moves which audiences so often seem to prefer to the more dextrous tricks.

1 ) Go to “proper” stick grind.

2) Throw the diabolo (no more than a foot above head height).

3) Pirouette quickly.

4) Catch the diabolo back on the stick.

The most common errors are:

1) Throwing too high. The higher you throw, the harder it is to catch. Just above head height gives plenty of time to twist. Eventually you can get them down below shoulder height. (Honest !)

2) Trying to throw and twist simultaneously. This results in the diabolo flying away at crazy angles. Don’t start to pirouette until the diabolo is about to peak. Trust me: you have plenty of time!

3) Pirouetting too slowly. Don’t try to shuffle round - pull in your arms and spin on one foot.

For extra style try:

1) Stick switch pirouettes.

2) Double pirouette (don’t get too dizzy!)

3) Pirouette one way, catch, then pirouette the other way.

4) Pirouette to willy or ally grind.

GRIND TO A HALT

This trick is a simple but very effective finish to any routine.

Throw the diabolo high enough into the air to give you sufficient time to transfer both handsticks into one hand.

Hold the sticks in a “V” position and catch the descending diabolo between them, where it will “grind to a halt”.

For extra style points, make this catch either at the very last second (inches from the ground) or high above your head with a flourishing upward thrust (very dramatic !)

For those requiring even further challenges, this trick can be performed:

a) with a pirouette

b) under the leg

c) behind the back and even

d) trebla (between the legs with both feet on the floor).

SUICIDES

The term “suicide” is generally applied to any trick which involves the diabolist letting go of the handstick. Such tricks usually have the same effect on an audience as releasing all three cigar boxes at once or taking feet off the pedals while unicycling: they see it but they don’t quite believe that it is physically possible !

A word of warning before you start: failed “suicide” attempts can be dangerous to the health of your handsticks. Learn them on grass or the beach before you try them on concrete. Believe me, nothing snaps a handstick faster than the sharp contact with the pavement due to a fluffed catch !

Also, I’d recommend you wear a pair of cycling gloves during the learning process as the sticks can often give your palms a nasty slap as they whip around.

These dangers aside, the suicide family of tricks are some of the flashiest moves I have seen - every one of them is a potential showstopper.

The main thing to remember is that these tricks are possible - if you believe you can do it then you’re half way there already. You’ll never catch those handsticks if you never try.

So, onwards to the suicides and change the way you look at diabolo tricks forever. Good luck!

A failed suicide attempt.

SUICIDE ATTEMPT

This is the basic suicide upon which several of the later moves are based. So practice this one to death before attempting the others, and you should do just fine.

Relax. Take a breath. There’s a first time for everything and this is probably the first trick where you’ve let go of the handstick deliberately. Don’t panic, it’s not as hard as it looks.

1) Swing the diabolo as if you’re doing “around the world” to the left.

2) As the diabolo reaches a 12 o’clock position, let go of the right handstick.

3) The handstick will swing all the way round. Catch it!

Catching the handstick relies upon 10% skill and 90% faith. Trust me: the trick does work.

Your first suicides will be huge, wild, swooping affairs.

But with practice, it is possible to control their size by making a small circular gesture with the “held” handstick after you’ve released the other.

The only other advice I can give is practice, practice and keep practicing.

TWUICIDE (PALM SLAP SUICIDE)

You must have a good suicide technique before trying this trick.

1) Swing a normal suicide.

2) Rather than just catching the stick, let it slip in and out of your grasp smoothly. This gives the diabolo just enough time to catch up so you can...

3) Swing into a second suicide.

The main secret of this trick is that it doesn’t have to be as fast as you think. Take your time: as long as the diabolo swings smoothly through the trick, the visual effect is impressive!

Extra challenges: try triocides if you want, they aren’t that much harder. Don’t get carried away though. People aren’t likely to stick around just to see if you can complete a dodecacide, are they?

FIGURE OF EIGHT

An impressive variation on the twuicide, the figure of eight makes a dramatic finish to any large, looping sequence of tricks.

1) Perform a suicide, letting go of the right handstick.

2) As you catch the stick, pause for just long enough to control the diabolo, before swinging it to the other side and...

3) Performing a suicide letting go of the left handstick.

The figure of eight can be performed either right-then-left (as above) or left-then-right. It’s best to use your weakest side first so you can finish with more control.

Incidentally, should you get the chance, this trick looks wonderful with different coloured handsticks under UV light.

STICK SUICIDE

A suicide move which can be performed indoors without shattering lightbulbs or breaking handsticks against the ceiling.

1) Swing the diabolo firmly as if for a “round the world”.

2) Hold the handsticks in a “T” position - perpendicular to each other as shown.

3) As the diabolo reaches 12 o’clock, release the handstick.

4) The handstick will pinwheel round very quickly - so be ready for it - as the diabolo completes its swing.

The “T” position is crucial, as is the contact between the hand- sticks: if you leave a gap between them, there won’t be enough momentum to flip the suiciding stick over. But if you cross the sticks, then it will flip over way too fast to catch without lopping the tips of your fingers off!

UNDER THE LEG SUICIDE

Not really any harder than a normal suicide but a bit flashier!

1) Start the swing for a normal suicide.

2) Insert a leg over the diabolo as it swings past.

3) Release the handstick at the usual moment (12 o’clock).

4) Catch the handstick as it swings around.

The main use of this move is as a flashy way to get out of “around the leg/knee/foot” sequences.

For extra marks try catching the stick back under the leg.

PS Don’t try this one while standing on a rola-bola - it doesn’t work, OK?

Check your props for wear and tear.

TREBLA SUICIDE

A flashy escape from between the legs and figure of eight around the legs tricks.

1) Get into an “around the leg” sequence throwing over from front to back.

2) As the diabolo is passing back between your legs, ARCH your BACK and release the handstick at the last second.

3) The stick will suicide all the way round...

...for you to catch as you straighten your posture.

REMEMBER: If either of your feet leave the ground - it isn’t a “trebla”.

For extra bravery points, try catching the flying handstick while still in a trebla position!

UNDER ARM SUICIDE

Despite having a name which sounds like a dangerous new brand of deodorant, the “under arm suicide” is a nice way out of those awkward around-the-upper-limb situations which so often arise.

1) Perform “around the arm” hops with the diabolo moving from inside to outside.

2) As the diabolo travels along the string under your arm, bend your “outside” wrist right back.

3) Release the handstick as late as possible (as the usual 12 o’clock position is virtually inac- cessible from here).

4) It’s “just” a normal suicide from now on: catch the stick as it loops round (to tumultuous applause, of course).

For extra challenges, try it on your other arm. Too easy? Then try to figure out a suicide with the diabolo circling your arm from the outside to the inside.

And the dream move? Suicide from around both arms at the same time (yes - it is possible).

SUICIDE STRING CLIMB

A visually baffling move: if your audience gasp at a normal string climb, get the smelling salts ready for this one!

1) Hold the diabolo so that there is a maximum of one inch of string between the axle and the end of the stick you are going to release.

2) Throw this stick over the top of the diabolo, catching it as it loops back under.

3) Pull tight and the diabolo will climb the string.

The secret, as usual, is simply not to panic. If you still don’t believe it’s possible, watch Jeff Mason in the middle of his routine on the 1988 IJA video.

HANGING STICK SUICIDAL STRING CLIMB

The most impressive of all known string climb tricks. It looks impossible, but in fact is only very, very difficult.

1) Hang your diabolo (which must be spinning very fast) in the tiny notch BETWEEN the handstick and the string.

(It does not spin on top of the stick).

2) Kick the handstick so it loops over the diabolo.

3) Catch the stick, pull the string tight, and the little rascal will scurry upwards.

I cannot stress too much how fast the diabolo must be spinning if you want it to “hang” for any length of time.

If you can think of any variations on this trick then please let me know!

OVER-WRAP-FOOT-TRAP STRING CLIMB

A dramatic variation on the string climb, ideal as a “grand finale” trick (especially if you have trouble getting out of it !)

1) Kneel down, holding one handstick about an inch from the diabolo, the other stick high above your head.

2) Loop the string around the diabolo, immediately slipping the stick under your foot.

3) Pull the string tighter and the diabolo will climb upwards.

To be extra stylish, try altering the amount of pressure on the stick with your foot. With a little practice (and a lot of spin) you can make the diabolo go up, come down and go back up again - honestly!

DUICIDE

Surely the ultimate in suicide tricks ? READ THE INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY - this trick is not quite what it first appears to be.

1) Swing as for a “round the world,” holding the handsticks no more than a foot apart.

2) At 12 o’clock (or just after), release both handsticks simultaneously.

Both handsticks DO NOT go all the way round, it only looks like they do!

What actually happens is that one stick goes all the way round, the other just switches hands.

3) Catch both handsticks again. Your string is now crossed, so either unwrap or do a cross-armed throw to get out.

BIG HINT: Swing the “round the world” quite firmly, but release your handsticks gently.

One of the handsticks in the diagrams has been shaded to make the trick clearer - painting one of your handsticks may help you see what goes on, but it won’t make the trick any easier!

EDICIUS

The “edicus” is certainly one of the hardest suicides but is well worth learning as a climax trick for your routine.

1) Throw the diabolo 2 - 3 feet in the air.

2) Place the string behind your back.

3) Catch the diabolo somewhere behind your right shoulder, swinging it to your left.

4) As it passes your left shoulder, release the right handstick.

5) From here it is “just” a normal suicide with a gentle step back to catch the stick in front of you.

This trick is a particularly impressive way to get out of “tummy hops.”

For an even greater challenge, try catching the handstick behind your back ! ! !

If your audience don’t understand what an edicius is, announce it as the “up-in-the-air-behind-the-back-loop-the-loop-let-go-of-the-stick-trick” - they will be suitably impressed.

SMOKING JOE

You’ve done stick grinds, you’ve done suicides, now comes a move which combines the two! It takes a lot of practice, but is guaranteed to impress everyone, from apathetic audiences to fellow diabolists. Contrary to popular belief, it isn’t harmful to your health either.

1) Point your handsticks inwards.

2) Move them together, one above the other.

3) “Pedal” one handstick over the other to reach this position.

4) “Pedal” again so the diabolo sits in the small “window” in the midst of the string.

5) Tip the lower handstick at an angle and release, so that it sits with the diabolo grinding against it.

6) Insert the upper handstick into the mouth and “smoke”. (Steady it with one hand if the weight is too much for your dentures).

7) Remove from mouth.

8) Strike the handle of the lower handstick downwards so that it swings free.

9) Grab the handstick with your spare hand.

10) Swing an out- ward “around the world” to finally escape.

Again, the diabolo must be spinning very fast indeed for this trick. Even at full speed you probably have no more than 8 or 9 seconds to complete all ten stages of the move.

FURTHER AND BEYOND

OK, so you’ve finally reached the end of the book. Even if you still can’t quite complete every trick every time (ho ho ho), you will have realised just how flexible and varied the simplest tricks can be with a dash of imagination and a little practice.

Together, imagination and practice are the keys to good juggling, especially with the diabolo. If all you do is practice without using your brain, your tricks and routines soon become stale, for both you and your audience. On the other hand, if all you do is dream up whacky variations but only pick up your diabolo once in a blue moon, then progress can be equally slow. Audiences tend to lose interest as you scoop the diabolo off the floor for the fourteenth time crying “no, no, please - just a minute - I can do this trick, honest... “

For new stick grind and suicide tricks, try experimenting with sequences. Here are a few suggestions to get the old grey matter working:

1) A flowing series of loop the loops, round the worlds and suicides.

2) Grinds, throwing into body moves, then suiciding out.

3) Round the world to overhead grind, dropping it over the stick into a string climb (why don’t you work it out!)

4) Suicides, catching in different positions.

5) Throwing grinds onto different objects such as snooker cues and umbrella tips !

Two diabolos on one string is also becoming very popular: if you can already do a number of basic two diabolo tricks, why not try:

1) A high throw with one diabolo while doing a fast suicide with the other.

2) Grinding one diabolo on each handstick and swapping them over (is it possible ?)

If you are genuinely stuck for inspiration, then you could do a lot worse than checking out the sequel to this volume entitled “Diabolo II: Crazy Cradles and

Baffling Bodymoves.” It contains another 25 new moves including stirring the pot, reeling in the fish, magic knots, tiger’s cradle., and many more!

There are even a few new grinds and suicides in there including the ultra flashy “gyro-grind” and the mysterious “undercide.”

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

My eternal thanks and respect must be expressed to the following people, without whom this book would never have got off the ground:

Stewart Hutton of Circustuff, without whose creative (and financial) support, this book would have been a hand written, photocopied, tatty little volume with a print run of twenty and a cover price of about fifteen quid.

Pearse Halfpenny for sharing all his baffling cat’s cradle moves with me when I visited London.

The unknown diabolist with short dark hair who showed me my first suicide trick at the Coventry Convention (you know who you are !)

Ewan Buchanan, the creator of “Smoking Joe”.

Bruce, for lending me his video collection.

Respect also goes out to Jochen Schell, Todd Strong, Guy Heathcote, Brendan Brolly and everyone else who realises there is more to juggling than simply learning “one more ball”.

And with the shameless plug and the thank yous over, it only remains for me to thank you for buying the book (or even borrowing/stealing it from a friend) and wish you good luck in your future diabolical deeds.

Keep smiling - even if the trick goes wrong.

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