How to Do a Figure 8 in Diabolo Juggling

When you have mastered the basic diabolo tricks, you are ready to learn more advanced tricks. The figure 8 trick is a combination of the over-the-arm maneuver and the over-the-opposite arm maneuver. When repeated in tandem, the diabolo moves in a figure 8 around your arms.

Difficulty: Challenging

Instructions

1. Begin with a rolling start. Juggle the diabolo at high speed. You may want to whip the diabolo to get it spinning as fast as possible.

2. Turn your dominant arm inside, and rest the string against your bicep. Keep the sticks parallel. Lift your other hand slightly to toss the diabolo over your dominant arm.

3. Catch the diabolo on the string, and let it return to the middle of the string. Rotate your other wrist so that both sticks are facing away from their normal positions.

4. Roll the diabolo outside your weak arm, and flick your wrist so that the diabolo goes over your arm. Catch the diabolo on the string between your arms. The diabolo's momentum carries it to the outside of your dominant arm.

5. Flick your dominant wrist to make the diabolo go over your dominant arm. Catch the diabolo between your arms. You have completed one figure 8. Continue to juggle the pattern for as long as you want. Each revolution around your arms is another figure 8.

6. To complete the figure 8 pattern, catch the diabolo on the sting between your arms, and turn your wrists back to the normal diabolo juggling position.

Tips & Warnings

• Master the over-the-arm, over-the-opposite-arm and over-the-forearm tricks before attempting to juggle the figure 8.