How To Measure Your Diabolo String
- Put one stick on the floor
- Put your foot on the stick so it stays flat on the ground
- Pull the other stick as high as you can
- Look where the string ends against your body
Best String Length For Beginners
A string length anywhere between your chest and the top of your head will allow you to learn every trick under the sun.
Beginners will find it easier to learn if the string is shorter. A shorter diabolo string gives you more control and makes it easier to accelerate and correct your diabolo.
That’s why I recommend a string that goes up to your armpit at first.
This length is short enough for you to learn tricks involving stick releases without having to raise your arms too much and is long enough to learn any other type of tricks, including « around the body » moves.
You will find the length that works for you in the first few months of practice and will most likely keep this string length for the rest of your life to play with 1, 2 or 3 diabolos.
Short vs Long String
Style of play
The length of your diabolo string will have a small impact on your style. A short string will make your play faster and your movements will be tighter and whip-ier. Whereas a long string will allow you to be slower and have bigger and rounder motions.
Here is a video that illustrates perfectly the difference between short and long diabolo strings :
Shorten to learn
Once you have found your ideal string length, you will stay with it forever. However, if you have difficulties with a new trick, it is useful to tweak the length of your string to learn faster. Once you developped a feel for the new trick, you can go back to your usual string length and be able to do the trick with your normal diabolo string quite quickly.
Here is a (non-exhaustive) list of tricks and type of tricks that are easier to learn with a shorter string :
- stick releases (all of them!)
- suns and their variations
- elevator
- vertax
- 2 diabolo low shuffle
- throws, especially with multiple diabolos (for example mini columns, feed the sun, high…)
- fans
Final Thoughts
Don’t hesitate to experiment with your string length, especially in the beginning of your diabolo journey.
But when you do, don’t change too much (a difference of even an inch is noticeable) or you will have a longer adjustment period to get used to the new length.
Try to stay with your new length for a bit (at least 10 hours of practice) before experimenting again.
You will know you have the ideal length for you when diabolo suddenly feels easy. Your shoulders will tense less and you will be able to train longer because you’ll get less tired.
