An orbit, as the name suggests, is a trick where the diabolo has a regular, repeating path around something (arm, leg, …).
This trick, like any orbits done clockwise for righties and anti-clockwise for lefties, gives spin to your diabolo. It’s a body move, so it helps if your string is not too short.
As always the tutorial is described for righties so if you are left handed switch right and left in the step by step explanation.
PREREQUISITES
The only thing you need to know is how to do the orbit.
STEP BY STEP EXPLANATION
- Start with the open string position and some speed.
- Put your dominant arm above the string by pointing the sticks towards you. The sticks turns 180° on the outside. Your arm should draw an L with your hand being the top of the L and your elbow being at the angle.
- Lower your non dominant hand to let your diabolo roll towards it.
- Throw the diabolo above your arm to your dominant hand. Your non dominant hand is doing all the work and your dominant hand just receives the diabolo. Pointing your left sticks to your right, if you are right handed (pointing your right stick to your left, if left handed) will help you throw the diabolo where you want.
- Catch the diabolo as close to the stick as possible. That way the diabolo has more time to roll to the non dominant hand which slows down the trick and gives more speed to the diabolo. This part is a bit tricky as the amount of string you have to catch the diabolo is about a third of the length you normally have for a regular throw and catch.
- Repeat steps 3 to 5 for as long as you want.
WHAT’S NEXT?
Once you mastered the arm orbit, you can learn
- the arm monorail, also called the roller coaster (you will also need to know how to wrap and unwrap)
- the double arm orbit
- the arm orbit backcatch (you will also need to know the sun)
For more 1 diabolo tricks, check out the list of available tutorials.
