Ball Spinning pt1
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[edit] Introduction
Ball spinning is usually learned by seeing it done and trying it. That often produces a slightly different way to do it, because each person re-invents doing it their own way. This tutorial presents more than one way to spin a ball, with more than one example. Although starting with two hands might seem easier for anyone, what is happening is not always visible, and will be explained in similar ways for all examples, because all methods must produce similar results. The way the hands are used for a two-hand start will be noted to explain the two directions of spin by a one-hand start. So, skipping through to what you may think you want, is not advised.
[edit] Two-hand Start
This method is the one most often re-invented from trying to copy what you thought you saw and then accidentally do, and so is quite variable in details. The spin achieved may not be fast enough, so this method is usually given a faster spin by "fanning" past the side with the other hand. All these examples are using basketballs, because this trick is a stunt in that setting, greatly expanded as "free styling" or "street ball" with arm rolls, fancy dribbling, etc.
1. Ball is in Outside right hand on spread finger tips, braced by Inside left hand to provide friction for spin. Uneven height of hands must be corrected before release.
2. Start rotation, note Outside hand is rising.
3. At 90° finger tips controlling orientation of spin are about level for each hand. That must be true to make spin axis vertical for balance. Note distance between wrists throughout.
4. For release, both hands are whipped around faster, see left hand pushed forward, while right hand has paused under ball.
5. Right hand makes the touch for balance at exact bottom and center of spin, when ball is not moving at top of short path. Some people balance with the Outer hand, others use the Inner hand. How the balance hand is turned is personal, as is use here of index finger.
The next example offers a side view:
1. Again, right hand is Outer and supporting the ball, with fingers aimed to left side to allow more degrees of rotating ball. Left hand is Inner and bracing ball for friction. One hand being high, the other low, is a personal choice only, and must be changed during spin to get a vertical axis of rotation before release.
2. Start rotation, note left hand coming under ball with wrists closer together than example above. That helps make the rotation faster and more steady.
3. At 90° for left hand, finger tips are level with right hand to make axis of spin vertical. Fingers of right hand have rotated through a half turn for more acceleration before release.
4. See follow-through for left hand, right hand paused to make the touch for balance. Using Outer or Inner hand for the balance is a personal choice, so you might try it both ways.
5. Balance is near top of ball path, on thumb as is common for basketball players who will then fan the ball for more speed to do tricks.
Next is the other direction, by the same person:
1. Ball cradled in Outer left hand, braced by high Inner right hand. Again, high-low hands must be changed before release.
2. Start rotation with Inner hand bracing and going more under the ball, left hand rising.
3. Finish rotation with fingers level to make axis of rotation vertical.
4. Ball rising, less vigor to follow-through this time.
5. Left hand aiming for bottom at top of path, so this person again used the Outer hand for the balance.
6. Touch for balance, with hand held sideways.
The next example is quite different, and will require fanning for enough speed:
1. Starting grip has right hand cradling ball, braced by left hand to side.
2. Ball is given slight counter-rotation, to give a bounce or spring action to the spin effort. That makes the Outer left hand high, with Inner right hand very low, reverse of previous.
3. At 90° Outer left hand is moving level with starting position to control orientation of spin. Right hand is now under the ball on finger tips, with that wrist as axis of rotation.
4. At finish of rotation, right hand remains under ball and gives the ball a slight toss up.
5. Right Inner hand is aiming for the touch with middle finger.
6. Touch for balance, see hand turned with palm inward.
7, 8. Ball is lowered to normal position, note left hand preparing to swipe the ball in #7, see another stroke in #8. Direction to fan in this case is from Outside to Inside, always the same direction as that hand for start. Ball is spinning on full pad of finger, so will be slowing all the time.
Last example will be similar to previous, worked out better as a technique:
1. The hands are directly opposite, with right Inner hand putting wrist under ball with only fingers bracing ball. Left Outer hand is making full contact.
2. Start rotation with hands making equal effort, wrists close together and near the axis.
3. Release with less follow-through and therefore less speed than would have been possible. Note hands finished level for vertical spin axis.
4. Ball rising, right Inner hand aiming for center of spin at top of path and the touch for balance.
5. Balance on index finger, hand turned sideways, left hand swiping across ball for fanning in same direction as that hand was used for start.
Fanning is quite difficult for most people to learn to do, usually batting the ball off the finger instead of just tapping it around. It is a habit more than would be necessary if people developed the strength and speed for a solid start with a ball of proper size. There are people who use only fanning to spin the ball, but that is a poor method especially for jugglers, and will not be shown here.
Continue to One-hand starts....
