Forums > Beginner Staff Moves > HELP ME! I want to learn staff!
Login/Join to ParticipateSILVER Member
journeyman
84 posts
Location: USA
journeyman
84 posts
Location: USA
Posted:
So I am getting frustrated with poi... love doing it but haven't dedicated myself to it as I want to, no one is teaching me... a plethora of reasons and I just suck.
What does this have to do with staff? I REALLY want to learn. I used to mess around with the broom stick in band class, sitting in the percussion section.. just messing around. Did a bit of drill team in ROTC with rifles. I *think* I'd really like it.
So here I am... absolutly clueless to staff, none of my friends do it, but screw it, Ill teach myself.
I'm 5'4, medium build girl... based on that, what would you all recommend as a staff for myself? I want to do single staff... don't plan on using 2.
I figure I might as well get fire staff... learn with it, get used to the weight and all that. They have LED staff on flowtoys but my friend said fire would be much cooler. So fire it is
Can anyone help me with what I should order from HOP?
Help me people!
So I am getting frustrated with poi... love doing it but haven't dedicated myself to it as I want to, no one is teaching me... a plethora of reasons and I just suck.
What does this have to do with staff? I REALLY want to learn. I used to mess around with the broom stick in band class, sitting in the percussion section.. just messing around. Did a bit of drill team in ROTC with rifles. I *think* I'd really like it.
So here I am... absolutly clueless to staff, none of my friends do it, but screw it, Ill teach myself.
I'm 5'4, medium build girl... based on that, what would you all recommend as a staff for myself? I want to do single staff... don't plan on using 2.
I figure I might as well get fire staff... learn with it, get used to the weight and all that. They have LED staff on flowtoys but my friend said fire would be much cooler. So fire it is
Can anyone help me with what I should order from HOP?
Help me people!
BRONZE Member
compfuzzled
1,182 posts
Location: hastings, England (UK)
compfuzzled
1,182 posts
Location: hastings, England (UK)
Posted:
well maybe take a look at the tutorials tht are a sticky on the top of the staff forum, they will help you answer all those questions and more
also some ppl mite think this was a bit of a pointless thread to make when theres already the tutorials which are put there to help with all these kinda queries
try reading and searchin thro hop before making threads, youll find theres already answers to all your questions most of the time
well maybe take a look at the tutorials tht are a sticky on the top of the staff forum, they will help you answer all those questions and more
also some ppl mite think this was a bit of a pointless thread to make when theres already the tutorials which are put there to help with all these kinda queries
try reading and searchin thro hop before making threads, youll find theres already answers to all your questions most of the time
"the geeks have got you" - Gayle
BRONZE Member
Carpal \'Tunnel
3,964 posts
Location: Southampton - Possibly..., United Kingdom
Carpal \'Tunnel
3,964 posts
Location: Southampton - Possibly..., United Kingdom
Posted:
and as for not planning on using 2
........ always two there are
Welcome to the darkside
and as for not planning on using 2
........ always two there are
Welcome to the darkside
"...We don't stop playing because we get old, we get old because we stop playing......."
SILVER Member
journeyman
84 posts
Location: USA
journeyman
84 posts
Location: USA
Posted:
I looked at the tutorials and article... but upon that decided to get a longer staff, when my friend said "No get short staff... youll end up hurting yourself wirh a longer one" and so now I'm confused, since the article said longer staff isn't as likely to burn yourself as the short staff, but it might leave a good bruise with the added weight...
I'm just curious as what to get from here for my weight, a beginner, and for now... just want to do single staff... so I want a personal recommendation of what you all would get if you were me... thats why I put the post up
I looked at the tutorials and article... but upon that decided to get a longer staff, when my friend said "No get short staff... youll end up hurting yourself wirh a longer one" and so now I'm confused, since the article said longer staff isn't as likely to burn yourself as the short staff, but it might leave a good bruise with the added weight...
I'm just curious as what to get from here for my weight, a beginner, and for now... just want to do single staff... so I want a personal recommendation of what you all would get if you were me... thats why I put the post up
GOLD Member
Walking on whims...
687 posts
Location: Eastbourne, UK
Walking on whims...
687 posts
Location: Eastbourne, UK
Posted:
I love just the single long staff!! Mine comes up to about just under my eye and I love it to bits.
Anything around chin-height I recommend.
I'm still learning too though.
Definitely go for a longer one around that height - it's easier to learn with.
Any staff will hurt though when it hits you on the funny bone at high speed!
*Rubs elbow and weeps*
I love just the single long staff!! Mine comes up to about just under my eye and I love it to bits.
Anything around chin-height I recommend.
I'm still learning too though.
Definitely go for a longer one around that height - it's easier to learn with.
Any staff will hurt though when it hits you on the funny bone at high speed!
*Rubs elbow and weeps*
Skatto
"Fly like a mouse,
Run like a cushion,
Be the small bookcase."
For goodness sake, don't aggravate the otters!!!
GOLD Member
still can't believe it's not butter
6,978 posts
Location: Melbourne, Australia
still can't believe it's not butter
6,978 posts
Location: Melbourne, Australia
Posted:
my best advice is come to a meet and ask real nicelike to try out each type of toy to see how fun, how intuitive it feels for each. remember how it each toy appeals to you when you see otheres play with them.
practical experience will always be better than biased opinion.
now that we're on biased opinion... DOUBLE STAVES is where it's *at* baby!!! wooooT!
Non-Https Image Link
my best advice is come to a meet and ask real nicelike to try out each type of toy to see how fun, how intuitive it feels for each. remember how it each toy appeals to you when you see otheres play with them.
practical experience will always be better than biased opinion.
now that we're on biased opinion... DOUBLE STAVES is where it's *at* baby!!! wooooT!
Non-Https Image Link
Laugh Often, Smile Much, Post lolcats Always
SILVER Member
veteran
1,237 posts
Location: Oxfordshire, United Kingdom
veteran
1,237 posts
Location: Oxfordshire, United Kingdom
Posted:
It's just an undeniable fact, it has to fit just under your chin, so you can rest on it comfortably at bus/tube stops
It's just an undeniable fact, it has to fit just under your chin, so you can rest on it comfortably at bus/tube stops
Blinded by Hyperlights, please donate generously 
PLATINUM Member
Will carpal your tunnel in a minute.
3,286 posts
Location: Melbourne, Australia
Will carpal your tunnel in a minute.
3,286 posts
Location: Melbourne, Australia
Posted:
Whatever size you choose you will adapt to over time. I started with a 135cm staff and i stand between 170-180cm. Over time i found it ideal for doing both fast twirling with a side of contact However that staff is being laid to rest as it's got a nice crook in it now & i've had it for over 3 years & want larger ones!
You can't go wrong with a staff height that ranges from reaching your arm-pit to one that reaches your neck/chin. The longer you are exposed to it the more it will seem ideal to you
Also if it's any consolation, i am mostly self taught
Whatever size you choose you will adapt to over time. I started with a 135cm staff and i stand between 170-180cm. Over time i found it ideal for doing both fast twirling with a side of contact
However that staff is being laid to rest as it's got a nice crook in it now & i've had it for over 3 years & want larger ones!You can't go wrong with a staff height that ranges from reaching your arm-pit to one that reaches your neck/chin. The longer you are exposed to it the more it will seem ideal to you
Also if it's any consolation, i am mostly self taught
ॐ
Owner of burningoftheclavey 
Owned by Lost83spy
SILVER Member
journeyman
84 posts
Location: USA
journeyman
84 posts
Location: USA
Posted:
I might go to double staves once I learn single
But DAMN shipping really makes it expensive to get from HOP to US... I love, love HOP and their customer service and products in general, but I might just get a staff from the US to learn with and then pay for the one from HOP when I'm not beating up the one I'm learning with.
It's seriously 199 with shipping... and I just can't swing that right now
I might go to double staves once I learn single
But DAMN shipping really makes it expensive to get from HOP to US... I love, love HOP and their customer service and products in general, but I might just get a staff from the US to learn with and then pay for the one from HOP when I'm not beating up the one I'm learning with.
It's seriously 199 with shipping... and I just can't swing that right now
PLATINUM Member
Will carpal your tunnel in a minute.
3,286 posts
Location: Melbourne, Australia
Will carpal your tunnel in a minute.
3,286 posts
Location: Melbourne, Australia
Posted:
Doubles is a whole different kettle of fish to singles, though if you've started with poi it won't be as hard for you to pick up as it was for me
There should be staff/kevlar suppliers in the US close to where you are if HoP freight is too great - or better yet, build one and name it
Doubles is a whole different kettle of fish to singles, though if you've started with poi it won't be as hard for you to pick up as it was for me
There should be staff/kevlar suppliers in the US close to where you are if HoP freight is too great - or better yet, build one and name it
ॐ
Owner of burningoftheclavey
Owned by Lost83spy
SILVER Member
journeyman
84 posts
Location: USA
journeyman
84 posts
Location: USA
Posted:
Yeah if I build one im likely to kill myself by creating something that explodes and kills everyone in a 10 mile radius
I found one in California... will probably order from them
Yeah if I build one im likely to kill myself by creating something that explodes and kills everyone in a 10 mile radius
I found one in California... will probably order from them
BRONZE Member
compfuzzled
1,182 posts
Location: hastings, England (UK)
compfuzzled
1,182 posts
Location: hastings, England (UK)
Posted:
darkside you seek is it hmmmmmm hmmmmmm
doubles will you spin
Non-Https Image Link
Written by: strugz
........ always two there are
darkside you seek is it hmmmmmm hmmmmmm
doubles will you spin
Non-Https Image Link
"the geeks have got you" - Gayle
BRONZE Member
HoP mage and keeper of the fireballs
1,965 posts
Location: Palmerston North, New Zealand
HoP mage and keeper of the fireballs
1,965 posts
Location: Palmerston North, New Zealand
Posted:
I personally would take Benders advice and have a twirl with a few fire staffs before parting with my hard earnt cash. This is just so that you know what you want from a staff in terms of weight, length, width and comfort.
My recomendations would be heavy (more momentum), chin height (please bear in mind that i stand at 6ft) and thick (more suited to the way i grip my staff) but i doubt that my staff would be suitable for you since your style and body type would differ from mine.
My 5ft missus has had a twirl with my staff and quite frankly she can't controll it (too long, too heavy and too thick for the way she grips it) but she has found greater sucsess with shorter, thiner and lighter staffs that I'm uncomfortable with.
Play around and find one that feels right otherwise you won't use it half as much as you should and learning with it will be a much slower process.
I personally would take Benders advice and have a twirl with a few fire staffs before parting with my hard earnt cash. This is just so that you know what you want from a staff in terms of weight, length, width and comfort.
My recomendations would be heavy (more momentum), chin height (please bear in mind that i stand at 6ft) and thick (more suited to the way i grip my staff) but i doubt that my staff would be suitable for you since your style and body type would differ from mine.
My 5ft missus has had a twirl with my staff and quite frankly she can't controll it (too long, too heavy and too thick for the way she grips it) but she has found greater sucsess with shorter, thiner and lighter staffs that I'm uncomfortable with.
Play around and find one that feels right otherwise you won't use it half as much as you should and learning with it will be a much slower process.
May my balls of fire set your balls on fire 
SILVER Member
journeyman
84 posts
Location: USA
journeyman
84 posts
Location: USA
Posted:
Yeah but the thing is I've never seen anyone spin staff here... and there are no shops near me that sell any. So basically... I'm going to buy and have it shipped and hope it does me well.
Yeah but the thing is I've never seen anyone spin staff here... and there are no shops near me that sell any. So basically... I'm going to buy and have it shipped and hope it does me well.
BRONZE Member
HoP mage and keeper of the fireballs
1,965 posts
Location: Palmerston North, New Zealand
HoP mage and keeper of the fireballs
1,965 posts
Location: Palmerston North, New Zealand
Posted:
Try to find others that spin in your area (and yes i am aware of how difficult this can be) and keep an eye out for other spinners whenever you are out and about.
Failing that you can hope for the best or build yourself a staff that you would feel comfortable with coz a basic firestaff isn't that difficult to make so long as you have a drill.
Sorry if i haven't been much help but i am trying and i do wish you the best of luck in finding a good staff
Try to find others that spin in your area (and yes i am aware of how difficult this can be) and keep an eye out for other spinners whenever you are out and about.
Failing that you can hope for the best or build yourself a staff that you would feel comfortable with coz a basic firestaff isn't that difficult to make so long as you have a drill.
Sorry if i haven't been much help but i am trying and i do wish you the best of luck in finding a good staff
May my balls of fire set your balls on fire
GOLD Member
Carpal \'Tunnel
2,895 posts
Location: Cambridge UK
Carpal \'Tunnel
2,895 posts
Location: Cambridge UK
Posted:
well... if you're unsure about the weight, etc. why not build a couple of practise staves? even if they're not what you end up using, they'll teach you something about what you like/want, and you can keep them for practising/teaching other people. Its always good to practise on differently weighted props: it helps you to work on different bits of technique
Just... fire staffs are expensive: soits best to make sure you know what you want before you buy one
well... if you're unsure about the weight, etc. why not build a couple of practise staves? even if they're not what you end up using, they'll teach you something about what you like/want, and you can keep them for practising/teaching other people. Its always good to practise on differently weighted props: it helps you to work on different bits of technique
Just... fire staffs are expensive: soits best to make sure you know what you want before you buy one
Because ActiveAngel sounds like a feminine deodorant
Like sex, I'm much more interesting in real life than online.
'Be the change you want to see in the world around you' - Ghandi
BRONZE Member
Carpal \'Tunnel
3,964 posts
Location: Southampton - Possibly..., United Kingdom
Carpal \'Tunnel
3,964 posts
Location: Southampton - Possibly..., United Kingdom
Posted:
Simta -
Strong the force is with you
Simta -
Strong the force is with you
"...We don't stop playing because we get old, we get old because we stop playing......."
BRONZE Member
Macaque of all trades
8,738 posts
Location: wombling free..., United Kingdom
Macaque of all trades
8,738 posts
Location: wombling free..., United Kingdom
Posted:
1, 2,3 or more sticks are the way to go
1, 2,3 or more sticks are the way to go
A couple of balls short of a full cascade... or maybe a few cards short of a deck... we'll see how this all fans out.
SILVER Member
15,417 posts
Location: South Wales
15,417 posts
Location: South Wales
Posted:
Have you tried bourbon creams?
[Yoda]Yummy they are..mmmmmmmmmmm.[/yoda]
Have you tried bourbon creams?
[Yoda]Yummy they are..mmmmmmmmmmm.[/yoda]
BRONZE Member
Macaque of all trades
8,738 posts
Location: wombling free..., United Kingdom
Macaque of all trades
8,738 posts
Location: wombling free..., United Kingdom
Posted:
I think that says it all...
Written by: UnderControlOrFailure
Have you tried bourbon creams?
[Yoda]Yummy they are..mmmmmmmmmmm.[/yoda]
I think that says it all... A couple of balls short of a full cascade... or maybe a few cards short of a deck... we'll see how this all fans out.
PLATINUM Member
Will carpal your tunnel in a minute.
3,286 posts
Location: Melbourne, Australia
Will carpal your tunnel in a minute.
3,286 posts
Location: Melbourne, Australia
Posted:
Before investing in a staff, it's ideal to find if it's for you before shelling out for a postage-fee-savvy staff
1. Purchase a broom with a wooden or heavy handle... lop broom head off (or better yet, buy a brook with a detachable broom handle).
2. Procure as many martial arts movies as you can. The older the movie and more mullet sightings, the better.
3. Watch said films for references: martial arts films are rife with flourishes & spatial awareness involving staff-like weapons including halberds, poleaxes and bardiches. Having a mullet while watching is beneficial but not necessary.
4. If inclement weather arises or you choose to spin indoors, ensure practice room is cleared of breakable objects that you plan to keep. Tape them to the walls if necessary. Such items that would fall under this category would be delicate heirloom-esque furniture, vases, the dog, siblings, etc.
5. After studying media aforementioned in step 2, start practicing. In rare cases, intimate knowledge can be granted to a rare few learning a discipline through the miracle of a Rocky montage. For the rest of us...time, persistence, and knowing when to break and come back to a particular trick or movement, or the manipulation of staff altogether.
6. At this point, if you are as keen now as you were prior, purchase your staff Name it.
7. Enjoy the journey!
Before investing in a staff, it's ideal to find if it's for you before shelling out for a postage-fee-savvy staff
1. Purchase a broom with a wooden or heavy handle... lop broom head off (or better yet, buy a brook with a detachable broom handle).
2. Procure as many martial arts movies as you can. The older the movie and more mullet sightings, the better.
3. Watch said films for references: martial arts films are rife with flourishes & spatial awareness involving staff-like weapons including halberds, poleaxes and bardiches. Having a mullet while watching is beneficial but not necessary.
4. If inclement weather arises or you choose to spin indoors, ensure practice room is cleared of breakable objects that you plan to keep. Tape them to the walls if necessary. Such items that would fall under this category would be delicate heirloom-esque furniture, vases, the dog, siblings, etc.
5. After studying media aforementioned in step 2, start practicing. In rare cases, intimate knowledge can be granted to a rare few learning a discipline through the miracle of a Rocky montage. For the rest of us...time, persistence, and knowing when to break and come back to a particular trick or movement, or the manipulation of staff altogether.
6. At this point, if you are as keen now as you were prior, purchase your staff
Name it.7. Enjoy the journey!
ॐ
Owner of burningoftheclavey
Owned by Lost83spy
110% MONKEY EVERY TIME ALL THE TIME JUST CANT STOP THE MONKEY
3,149 posts
Location: London
3,149 posts
Location: London
Posted:
^^ ++
Thats exactly how i learnt! That advice should so get stickied to the top of the forum. It's MILES better than megs guides :P
Written by: Brenn
Before investing in a staff, it's ideal to find if it's for you before shelling out for a postage-fee-savvy staff
1. Purchase a broom with a wooden or heavy handle... lop broom head off (or better yet, buy a brook with a detachable broom handle).
2. Procure as many martial arts movies as you can. The older the movie and more mullet sightings, the better.
3. Watch said films for references: martial arts films are rife with flourishes & spatial awareness involving staff-like weapons including halberds, poleaxes and bardiches. Having a mullet while watching is beneficial but not necessary.
4. If inclement weather arises or you choose to spin indoors, ensure practice room is cleared of breakable objects that you plan to keep. Tape them to the walls if necessary. Such items that would fall under this category would be delicate heirloom-esque furniture, vases, the dog, siblings, etc.
5. After studying media aforementioned in step 2, start practicing. In rare cases, intimate knowledge can be granted to a rare few learning a discipline through the miracle of a Rocky montage. For the rest of us...time, persistence, and knowing when to break and come back to a particular trick or movement, or the manipulation of staff altogether.
6. At this point, if you are as keen now as you were prior, purchase your staff
7. Enjoy the journey!
^^ ++
Thats exactly how i learnt! That advice should so get stickied to the top of the forum. It's MILES better than megs guides :P
"Switching between different kinds of chuu chuu sometimes gives this "urgh wtf?" effect because it's giving people the phi phenomenon."
PLATINUM Member
Will carpal your tunnel in a minute.
3,286 posts
Location: Melbourne, Australia
Will carpal your tunnel in a minute.
3,286 posts
Location: Melbourne, Australia
Posted:
Cheque's in the mail 
Written by: simian
^^ ++
Thats exactly how i learnt! That advice should so get stickied to the top of the forum. It's MILES better than megs guides :P
Cheque's in the mail
ॐ
Owner of burningoftheclavey
Owned by Lost83spy
BRONZE Member
Carpal \'Tunnel
3,964 posts
Location: Southampton - Possibly..., United Kingdom
Carpal \'Tunnel
3,964 posts
Location: Southampton - Possibly..., United Kingdom
Posted:
tiz true...... go look at mcps old vids! or mine - its why i used to wear a hat
having a mullett does make you better!
Sadley - im crap at staff now, i got a haircut......
Written by: Brenn
.....Having a mullet while watching is beneficial but not necessary.
tiz true...... go look at mcps old vids! or mine - its why i used to wear a hat
having a mullett does make you better!
Sadley - im crap at staff now, i got a haircut......
"...We don't stop playing because we get old, we get old because we stop playing......."
PLATINUM Member
Flying Water Muppet
5,276 posts
Location: Edin-borrow., United Kingdom
Flying Water Muppet
5,276 posts
Location: Edin-borrow., United Kingdom
Posted:
Yeah, I was crap when I cut my hair off too, but then I did a rocky like montage... and now I'm alright again.
strugz: YOU NEED A MONTAGE!
Non-Https Image Link
Yeah, I was crap when I cut my hair off too, but then I did a rocky like montage... and now I'm alright again.
strugz: YOU NEED A MONTAGE!
Non-Https Image Link
"the now legendary" - Kaskade
"the still legendary" - Kaskade
I spunked in my friend's aquarium and the fish ate it. I love all fish. Especially the pink ones. They are my bitches. - Anon.
BRONZE Member
Still wiggling
5,967 posts
Location: Belfast, Northern Ireland (UK)
Still wiggling
5,967 posts
Location: Belfast, Northern Ireland (UK)
Posted:
Le swoon...
those little puppetty men and their chisled jaws and weird eyes...
Le swoon...
those little puppetty men and their chisled jaws and weird eyes...
Getting to the other side
PLATINUM Member
Will carpal your tunnel in a minute.
3,286 posts
Location: Melbourne, Australia
Will carpal your tunnel in a minute.
3,286 posts
Location: Melbourne, Australia
Posted:
"I promise I will never die."
"I promise I will never die."
ॐ
Owner of burningoftheclavey
Owned by Lost83spy
110% MONKEY EVERY TIME ALL THE TIME JUST CANT STOP THE MONKEY
3,149 posts
Location: London
3,149 posts
Location: London
Posted:
who? burnt toast?
Written by: _Clare_
those little puppetty men and their chisled jaws and weird eyes...
who? burnt toast?
"Switching between different kinds of chuu chuu sometimes gives this "urgh wtf?" effect because it's giving people the phi phenomenon."
BRONZE Member
Still wiggling
5,967 posts
Location: Belfast, Northern Ireland (UK)
Still wiggling
5,967 posts
Location: Belfast, Northern Ireland (UK)
Posted:
Hopefully see you soon mister
Hopefully see you soon mister
Getting to the other side
PLATINUM Member
Flying Water Muppet
5,276 posts
Location: Edin-borrow., United Kingdom
Flying Water Muppet
5,276 posts
Location: Edin-borrow., United Kingdom
Posted:
can somebody photoshop this right now?
Non-Https Image Link
crossed with
Non-Https Image Link
Written by: simianWritten by: _Clare_
those little puppetty men and their chisled jaws and weird eyes...
who? burnt toast?
can somebody photoshop this right now?
Non-Https Image Link
crossed with
Non-Https Image Link
"the now legendary" - Kaskade
"the still legendary" - Kaskade
I spunked in my friend's aquarium and the fish ate it. I love all fish. Especially the pink ones. They are my bitches. - Anon.
GOLD Member
still can't believe it's not butter
6,978 posts
Location: Melbourne, Australia
still can't believe it's not butter
6,978 posts
Location: Melbourne, Australia
Posted:
i had orginally thought this to be a thread promoting staff, but i'm not sure no more.
i had orginally thought this to be a thread promoting staff, but i'm not sure no more.
Laugh Often, Smile Much, Post lolcats Always
Similar Topics
Using the keywords [want learn staff] we found the following existing topics.
- Forums > In U.K. new to poi want to learn and meet new friends [3 replies]
- Forums > Universal Studios Mardi Gras poi... [1 reply]
- Forums > Any sydney ppl hav a location to meet up and do poi? [2 replies]
- Forums > Twirling snobs [14 replies]
- Forums > Twirling workshop in Canberra, Australia in March 2002 [3 replies]
Show more..
© 1998 - 2025 Home of Poi
All prices converted to United States dollars using XE.com