The elevator is a trick where the diabolo climbs the string in a controled manner. It looks very impressive to non jugglers, almost like magic, and yet is really easy to do.
This trick will only work with a fixed axle diabolo, it won’t work with bearings unless you do multiple wraps. It is also easier to learn with a slightly worn out string. A brand new string will be too slippery for the diadolo to climb up.
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
To learn the elevator, you only need to know how to give a lot of spin to your diabolo (so learning the whip acceleration first will help a lot!) and how to wrap and unwrap.
Step By Step Explanation
This explanation is for righties, so if you are a lefty don’t forget to change left for right and right for left
- Get the diabolo spinning as fast as you can.
- With an open string, hold the left stick high and still.
- Wrap the string around the diabolo, both internal and external wraps work.
- Pull down with the right stick to tighten the string so the wrap on the axle causes the diabolo to climb. Don’t pull the stick to hard, otherwise the friction will be too much, it will slow the diabolo down and prevent it from climbing the string.
- Unwrap the diabolo.
What To Learn Next?
Learning the elevator doesn’t unlock a lot of other tricks, but it’s still very cool! To look even cooler, you can now learn the foot stomp elevator. You can also use a magic knot to unwrap at the end of the trick. Another variation is to release the tension of the string when the diabolo is up to make it go back down and then pull the stick down again to make the diabolo climb back up.
For more 1 diabolo tricks, check out the list of available tutorials.
If you have any questions regarding this trick, don’t hesitate to leave a comment and I’ll be happy to answer!
