Diabolo: Trapeze, Elevator and Around the World
For students who can already start the diabolo and keep it spinning, three classic tricks that need no high throws: the trapeze, the elevator and around the world. Partners share a diabolo and help each other with a key-points card.
How to play
- Review in pairs: starting from the ground, speeding up with tugs of the dominant stick and correcting the diabolo's tilt (5 min).
- Trapeze: with the diabolo spinning, pull the sticks apart and tighten the string horizontally so the diabolo rolls along it, then return to the normal position (6 min).
- Elevator: wrap one loop of string around the axle, raise the dominant stick straight up and make the diabolo climb the string with gentle pulls (7 min).
- Around the world: keeping the string tight, swing the diabolo in a vertical circle along one side of the body and catch it again at the bottom (6 min).
- Each student links two tricks while the partner uses the card to check whether spin and tilt are kept (6 min).
Rules
- At least 10 feet of clear space between pairs, and no high throws this session.
- Around the world always goes toward the side with no partners and with the circle away from the face.
- Check that the string is not frayed or knotted before starting.
- Whoever is not practicing holds the sticks pointing down and stays out of the spinning area.
Variations
Easier
Work only on the trapeze, keeping the diabolo spinning for 20 seconds before each attempt.
Standard
Three no-throw tricks and a final combination of two.
Harder
Link all three tricks without the diabolo losing speed and add a side switch on around the world.
Adaptations
- Wheelchair user: practices the trapeze and elevator seated with a large-cup diabolo and shorter sticks.
- Autism: has a card with photos of each stage and always works with the same partner.
- Shoulder injury: replaces around the world with the elevator using short wrist movements.
Learning goals
- Expand technical skills with the diabolo.
- Control spin and tilt during tricks.
- Assess a partner's performance with technical criteria.
Equipment for a class of 25
- diabolos: 15
- worksheets: 15
Teacher tip
If a diabolo tilts forward a lot, the student should turn the front stick toward themselves; put that on the card. With 15 diabolos you can set up pairs without long waits.
PatioLab has "Diabolo: Trapeze, Elevator and Around the World" and 5176 more activities ready to drag into your lesson and run from your phone in the gym.
More activities like this
More main activities for High School
1-2-3 Touch Cooperative Rally
1-2-3-2-1 Running Pyramid Intervals
An interval workout where the fast segments build from 1 to 3 minutes and back down, with half that time as jogging recovery.
1-on-1 from Triple Threat: Jab Step, Fake and Go
1-on-1 duels that always start in triple threat (shoot, pass or dribble), where the attacker uses the jab step and the shot fake to read the defender before going.
1-on-1 Self-Pass Volleyball
10-20-30 interval running in pairs
The 10-20-30 method strings together 30 seconds of easy jogging, 20 at a moderate pace and 10 at top speed, in five-minute blocks.
1v1 Ball Volley Matches
1v1 ball volley: singles games on a small court with a low net, hitting the ball over the net and allowing one bounce.