There are, in my opinion, 5 main string positions that are the building blocks of every diabolo knots :
- the open string position
- the free string position
- the wrap
- the sun knot
- the darkside
Understanding these string positions and how you can go from one to another will help you create your own combinations of tricks.
The Open String Position
The open string position is the basic position you come back to all the time. The diabolo is resting on the string without any knots.
Here are some examples of transitions from the open string position to other string positions :
- from the open string to free string : throw the diabolo, half-spaghetti
- from the open string to the wrap : wrap, trapeze
- from the open string to the sun knot : sun, walk around the diabolo
- from the open string to the darkside : j-whip
The Free String Position
The free string position is a position where the diabolo is free from the string and if you do nothing (or let go of the knot) the diabolo will fall on the ground.
For example when your diabolo is in the air after throwing it, or after the half-spaghetti, even though it appears to have a knot around the diabolo, if you release the knot by tipping your sticks down, the diabolo will drop.
Here are some examples of transitions from the free string position to other string positions :
- from the free string to the open string : catch the diabolo, whip catch
- from the free string to the darkside : darkside catch
The Wrap
The wrap is when the string is wrapped around the diabolo. There are two types of wrap :
- internal (like the photo, for lefties): this is when your dominant hand wraps around the diabolo internally (ie between tha diabolo and you) or when your non-dominant hand wraps around the diabolo externally (ie in front of the diabolo)
- external (like the photo, for righties): this is when your dominant hand wraps around the diabolo externally (ie in front of the diabolo) or when your non-dominant hand wraps around the diabolo internally (ie between tha diabolo and you)
Here are some examples of transitions from the open string position to other string positions :
- from the wrap to free string : crossed arm magic knot
- from the wrap to the open string: unwrap, slowcide
- from the wrap to the sun knot : unwrap with the other hand
The Sun Knot
The sun knot is the “criss-cross” string position you get after doing a basic sun. As with the wrap the sun knot has two types :
- the right sun knot (like the photo): when you do a counter-cockwise sun
- the left sun knot: when you do a clockwise sun
Here are some examples of transitions from the open string position to other string positions :
- from the sun knot to the wrap: wrap (if it’s a right sun, do a left wrap and if it’s a left sun, do a right wrap)
- from the sun knot to the open string: sun the other way, walk around the diabolo
The Darkside
The darkside is a string position where the diabolo is on the “other side” of the string.
In the open position, the diabolo is resting on the part of the string that is facing up (the sun) and in the darkside position, the diabolo is resting on the part of the string that is facing down.
The darkside position looks like a half sun knot and is either on the right (like the photo) or on the left.
Here are some examples of transitions from the open string position to other string positions :
- from the darkside to free string : throw the diabolo with your arms crossed, fritz release
- from the darkside to the wrap: mini-genocide, genocide, triple trapeze
- from the darkside to the sun knot: swap the sticks once
- from the darkside to the open string: genocide or mini-genocide with an early catch, double trapeze
Putting it all together
To create combinations of tricks, you only have to think about string position transitions : start with any string position, then do a trick that needs to start in this string position, look at the string position you end up with and repeat the process.
To make your combos even more complex, you can insert anywhere in it any trick that doesn’t change the string position like the between the arm sun or big sun for any string position, or tricks that specifically keep one string position the same : like the infinite suicide for the wrap.
Your ability to create combos is only limited by the tricks in your repertoire, the more technique you learn, the more creative you can be !
COMING SOON (shoot me an email if you’d like me to send it to you as soon as it’s ready): Check out the Diabolo Trick Mastery Roadmap, to help you learn diabolo tricks more efficiently.
