What's the BEST way to spin a staff?

I'm reasonably new at spinning my stick and I've developed a method of twirling hand over hand... It's similar to the method shown in Xaeda's staff animations, but it's not the same.. Instead of using the right hand to spin clockwise, I use the right hand to spin anticlockwise! (if you look at the animation, just picture her using her right hand to spin the staff in the opposite direction and you'll hopefully know how I mean)

I've been doing it for a few months and I'm very comfortable with it but now that I want to learn more complex tricks I'm worried that it'll be impossible because of my chosen method of spinning... Am I going about it the wrong way? Is there only one proper way to spin a staff? Should I unlearn what I've learnt?

Xorn, there is no right or wrong in staff.

I see what your doing.
I would recommend that you learn to do it both ways.
Have more options.

be kewl

Drew
_______________
Happy beginner

not at all. when you go to learn new moves you will be learning reverse moves. which for you are not reverse moves because that is how you spin. If all else fails get some of the local twirlers to help you

As mentioned by the previous two people, do what feels right for you.

After a while, try to do the same stuff backwards...

And no, there is no "wrong" or "right" for firestaff. Firestaff is quite simply...Doing stuff that looks cool with a stick!

You don't even have to spin it if you don't want , try doing liquid moves , throwing it up flat and making silly face before catching it again , prentending to hit yourself with it , use it as a ventriloquist's dummy and get it to say jokes etc etc

It really doesn't matter, if you are using a firestaff, and you enjoy it and/or it looks cool, thats it.

Well, if you're looking for more ideas.....

Personally I don't like Xaeda's method for basic spins (I assume that you're talking about a basic hand over hand rotor, spinning the staff directly in front of you) I suppose it works for her, but it seems to me to be way more complicated than it has to be.

Here is a very basic spin:

Begin holding staff horizontle in front of you with both hands palm down.

Let go with left hand.
Rotate staff clockwise with right hand until the staff is verticle (let your hand open up so that your palm is now facing up, and you're holding the staff against the side of your hand just with your thumb).

Now bring your left hand underneith your right and catch the staff between your thumb and sid eof your hand (the best way I can think to explain this is to "make a birdie" like you would make a bird for shadow puppets, but with a staff in between your thumbs).

now let go with right hand and continue the rotation with the left and return to the beginning point with both hands palms down holding the staff horizontely. Then repeat as neccessary.

This method makes it much simpler (especially in the beginning) to transfer into other moves. It is also much easier to hold onto when you're nervous so you won't drop your stick as much saving you some embarassment. But there are a few variations on this basic spin (Xaeda's being only one) that change the speed, force, and amount of rotation in the spin. It cosists mostly of changing hand at diffirent points in the staffs rotation. Anyway I hope it helps.

Ahh! Thanx for the infow! I'm going to stick to my method. It's what I'm most comfortable with and I'm fairly sure I'll be able to branch out and develop more funky moves.

I'm going to a local folk festival this weekend, so I'll pick the brains of some of the twirlers there.

Cheers!

The BEST way to spin a staff.............hmmmm

With your hands I guess!!! LOL (Sorry, couldn't resist)

If you're right handed then just spin it which ever way feels easiest and smoothest for you, then just reverse it for the left side

The BEST way to spin a staff.............hmmmm

Without your hands I guess!!! LOL (Sorry, couldn't resist)

contact staff every time


Glass

Just like everyone says, there is no right or wrong way to do it.

But make sure that whatever it is you do do, do it backwards and forwards (both ways), with both hands. Too be ambidextrous will make you a great staff spinner, no matter which way you spin. Good Luck.

Figure 8 is what i do.

Glass , your so funny

but he's right!!

the *best* way to spin a staff is while ya wearing a dress.

there is no proper way toi spinn a staff it is up to you bro

The best way to spin a staff is with the flow and not in isolation from the rest of your body. All else will sort itself out, but flow is crucial

Josh

The only way to spin a staff is the best way.

In staff lesson 2, the vid of Xaeda spinning is very advanced imho.

Read Bec's description, I think it is different to the vid, and it’s a good place start, as is Bec and Elke’s staff book

Cheers

btw, in Bec's description (well in the book) the staff is held vertical, Xaeda's seems more horizontal, i think.

its all about the feet hands are so last year

and remember to move around, dont just stand in one place and spin, move around a bit, i like doing throws, next you will be able to juggle staves....lol

M

keeping the hot bits away from any burnable bits of your body, that you're wanting to keep unburnt, works for me.