How to tie a proper knot:
This knot is ideal because it's easy to undo (you can adjust it easly
to your needs) and tight at the same time.
I think the drawing speaks for itself but the whole idea is to have
a double loop (third drawing) that tightens as you pull it. To release it
just pull gently on the end of the string.
Right, now you are ready to play!
A few good rules...
Keep yourself straight (yes as your mums say), your shoulders should be
relaxed, your forearms horizontal and straight ahead of you.
The sticks should be in the continuity of your body.
Now, the lenght of the string: the good lenght of the string is measured
by placing one stick on the ground and the other at the height of your shoulder,
remember though that it's always better to have a string a bit too short than
too long.
To hold the sticks well in your hands, imagine yourself pushing a wheelbarrow.
Getting started
N.B.: If you are left-handed replace every "Right" with a "Left"
in the following texts! and viceversa!
To make it spin (that's the whole idea!), so that by gyroscopical effect
it will actually remain stable, you first have to place it on the ground
before you, it's axel perpendicular to the string.
Next, make it roll from right to left only once; this way it'll start spinning.
You'll notice pretty quickly that as soon as you lift it from the ground and
start spinning it, the Diabolo will tend to either tilt away from you or towards
you; this is very annoying when you begin! (I know what I'm talking about).
But I'm here to solve all you troubles!!.
N.B.: If you are left-handed replace every "Right" with a "Left"
in the following texts! and viceversa!.
Another very important point: when the axel rotates away from the center
of your body you'll get upset because it wont "work" the way you'd wish.
Solution: Always reposition yourself so that the axel is perpendicular to
your shoulders (you'll be walking in circles at the beginning I assure you!).
TIP:If you can't get the Diabolo to spin faster it is usually because
you slow it every time you lift your "non pulling" hand. Your movements
must be asymmetric, your hands shouldn't do the same movements at the same time.
when one goes up the other moves down!
Two Methods are available:
This is just a simple trick to gain confidence with the toy,
You can always go back to the top of this page!,
or back to the front page of the whole document!.
The right stick moves upwards, while the left one moves downwards to absorb the traction
movement.
Now lower the right hand, raise softly the left hand till it's a
little above the right hand.
Then raise your right hand jerkly while your left hand lowers gently and so on.
The point is to "pull" with one hand and make no grip when "pulling" with the other one
so that the Diabolo will only get its spin increased on the same side.
The Basics
If the Diabolo tilts aft, all you have to do is pull your right stick to you till you
see it straight again!.
If the Diabolo tilts towards you, then you have to move your right stick forth
horizontally.
NOTE:The Diabolo will not rotate back in place! in other words it
will never do what you'd like him to do!
It is important not to stop "whipping" while you make adjustments!!.
Accelerating it
- 1st Method -
To gain speed you'll have to raise your right arm slower than you lower it.
When you'll get more confident, your right hand will go higher and farther than your left
hand.
- 2nd Method -
N.B.: If you are left-handed replace every "Right" with a "Left"
in the following texts! and viceversa!.
Your first move
In order to perform it you need to give it a good acceleration!.