VIDEOS
Note: All of these videos require Quicktime Player, available here
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-= Finger Abbreviations used on this page: =-
5 = pinky finger
4 = ring finger
3 = middle finger
2 = index finger
360° Family
All of the tricks in this family involve the pen or pencil spinning 360 Degrees around one of the fingers or the thumb.
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Video
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Description
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Hold the pencil in between your thumb and middle finger, then push towards yourself with your middle finger and away from yourself with you thumb. The pencil spins one rotation counterclockwise* around the thumb and is caught between thumb and index finger. |
72 KB 192 KB |
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Hold the pencil with thumb, index,
and middle fingers. Push toward yourself with your index finger and
push away from yourself with your thumb. The pencil should spin one
rotation clockwise* around the thumb and should be caught between thumb
and middle finger.
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88 KB 244 KB |
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Initiated like the Reverse Thumbaround,
but instead of the pencil spinning around the thumb, it spins clockwise*
around the index finger. For this trick, it is helpful to position your
thumb to the right of the center of the pencil.
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92 KB 268 KB |
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Similar to the Thumbaround,
except you don't apply force to the pencil with your thumb and middle
finger. Instead, you move your hand in a counterclockwise* direction
to make the pencil go around your thumb.
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112 KB 328 KB |
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Hold the pencil between the fat part
of your thumb and the base of your index finger. The point where you
are holding it should be to the left of the center of the pencil. Move
your hand in a clockwise* direction in order to make the pencil go clockwise*
around your thumb.
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80 KB 296 KB |
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Hold the pencil between your middle
finger and index finger. Push down with your index finger to make the
pencil spin a forward vertical rotation around your index finger. Then
catch the pencil between your middle finger and index finger.
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92 KB 248 KB |
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Hold the pencil with thumb and index
finger and support it from below with your middle finger. Bend your
thumb down and push towards yourself with your index finger. The pencil
spins one rotation counterclockwise* around the index finger and is
caught between your index finger and middle finger.
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96KB 296 KB |
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Hold the pencil between the middle
and ring fingers to the right of the center of the pencil. Have the
end of the pencil resting in the gap between your thumb and base of
index finger. Move the pencil slightly so the end releases from in between
the thumb and base of index finger. At the same time it releases, move
your ring finger out of the way and allow the pencil to rotate 1 spin
clockwise* around the middle finger. Catch between thumb and index.
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108 KB 288 KB |
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Hold the pencil in between the index
and middle fingers to the right of the center of the pencil. Flick your
wrist upwards and let go with the middle finger. The pencil spins one
rotation clockwise* around the index finger and is caught again.
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116 KB 296 KB |
Thumbspin Family
All of the tricks in this family involve the pen or pencil rotating on top of the thumb.
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Video
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Description
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Start off in writing position. Fold your thumb down and at the same time push your index finger towards yourself, pushing the pencil. The pencil spins a half rotation counterclockwise* on top of the thumb and is caught in writing position. This trick can also be performed continuously. (See Combos family). |
64 KB 248 KB |
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Initiated the same way as Half Taps, but the pen/pencil spins a full rotation counterclockwise* on top of the thumb instead of only a half rotation. |
124 KB 336 KB |
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Initiated the same
way as Half Taps, but the pen/pencil spins one and a half full rotations
counterclockwise* on top of the thumb instead of only a half rotation.
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120 KB 360 KB |
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Initiated the same
way as Half Taps, but the pen/pencil spins two full rotations counterclockwise*
on top of the thumb instead of only a half rotation.
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128 KB 364 KB
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Hold the front of
the pencil in between your index and middle fingers with the center
of the pencil resting in between your thumb and the base of your index
finger. Prepare for the spin by pulling your fingers toward your palm.
Then, push your fingers out away from your palm and release the pencil.
The pencil should spin a half rotation clockwise* on top of the thumb
and be caught in writing position.
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76 KB 292 KB |
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Initiated
just like the Half Reverse but instead, allow the pencil to rotate a
full rotation clockwise* on top of the thumb. Catch the pencil in writing
position.
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76 KB 264 KB |
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Initiated
just like the Half Reverse but instead, allow the pencil to rotate one
and a half full rotations clockwise* on top of the thumb. Catch the
pencil in writing position.
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152 KB 424 KB |
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This trick is initiated
like the Thumbaround, but instead of the pencil going around the thumb,
it spins on top of the thumb one and a half rotations counterclockwise*
and is caught between the thumb and middle finger.
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96 KB 316 KB |
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720 Degree Thumbspin (Double) |
Also
initiated like the Thumbaround, and also rotates above the thumb instead
of around it. This trick involves the pencil spinning two rotations
counterclockwise* and the pencil should be caught
between the thumb and middle finger.
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96 KB 388 KB |
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Also initiated like
the Thumbaround, and also rotates above the thumb instead of around
it. This trick involves the pencil spinning two and a half rotations
counterclockwise* and the pencil should be caught between the
thumb and middle finger.
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84 KB 332 KB |
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1080 Degree Thumbspin (Triple) |
Also
initiated like the Thumbaround, and also rotates above the thumb instead
of around it. This trick involves the pencil spinning three rotations
counterclockwise* and the pencil should be caught between the
thumb and middle finger.
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100 KB 416 KB |
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Also initiated like
the Thumbaround, and also rotates above the thumb instead of around
it. This trick involves the pencil spinning three and a half rotations
counterclockwise* and the pencil should be caught between the
thumb and middle finger.
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108 KB 432 KB |
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1440 Degree Thumbspin (Quadruple) |
Also
initiated like the Thumbaround, and also rotates above the thumb instead
of around it. This trick involves the pencil spinning four rotations
counterclockwise* and the pencil should be caught between the
thumb and middle finger.
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132 KB 492 KB |
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Also
initiated like the Thumbaround, and also rotates above the thumb instead
of around it. This trick involves the pencil spinning four and a half
rotations counterclockwise* and the pencil should
be caught between the thumb and middle finger.
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148 KB 544 KB |
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1800 Degree Thumbspin (Quintuple) |
Also
initiated like the Thumbaround, and also rotates above the thumb instead
of around it. This trick involves the pencil spinning five rotations
counterclockwise* and the pencil should be caught between the
thumb and middle finger.
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184 KB 664 KB |
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Also
initiated like the Thumbaround, and also rotates above the thumb instead
of around it. This trick involves the pencil spinning five and a half
rotations counterclockwise* and the pencil should
be caught between the thumb and middle finger.
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260 KB 1012 KB
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Sonic/Charge Family
All of the tricks in this family involve the pen or pencil spinning between the fingers. More specifically, the Sonic tricks
involve the pen seemingly jumping fingers by actually spinning behind the finger. The Charge tricks involve the pen gyrating in place
between two fingers.
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Video
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Description
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Hold the front end of the pen in between your ring finger and middle finger. Have the end of the pen resting in the crook of your thumb. Push towards yourself with you middle finger and away from yourself with your ring finger, then slide you thumb outwards in order to release the pen. The pen spins one rotation clockwise* from your perspective behind the middle finger and is caught in between the middle finger and index finger. |
88 KB 252 KB |
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This trick is the same as the Sonic,
except the starting position is between the pinky finger and ring finger
and the ending position is between the ring finger and middle finger.
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84 KB 220 KB |
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This trick is the same as the Sonic, except the starting position is between the pinky and ring fingers and the ending position is between the middle and index fingers. |
84 KB 244KB |
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Hold the pen between the ring finger and middle finger so that the pen is perpendicular to the plane of your fingers. Then, through consecutive pushes toward yourself with your middle finger and pushes away from yourself with your ring finger, the pen should gyrate clockwise* in place from your perspective continuously. |
152 KB 616 KB |
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This trick is really more like a mini-combo
consisting of one rotation of a Charge Normal coupled with a step from
a Reverse Fingerpass. The resulting trick has the pen spin 540 Degrees,
and the pen should end in writing position, except backwards.
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180 KB 492 KB
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Backaround Family
All of the tricks in this family involve the pen or pencil spinning on the back of the hand and being caught again in writing position.
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Video
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Description
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With a flick of the wrist, allow the pen/pencil to spin horizontally in between your index finger and middle finger. When the pen trasfers to the back of your hand, turn your hand palm-down to allow the pen to rotate on the back of the hand. After the pen has completed one full spin clockwise,* then catch the pen in writing position. |
144 KB 368 KB |
Air Spin Family
All of the tricks in this family involve the pen or pencil being propelled into the air and caught again.
These tricks are most stylishly performed if there is no motion of the hand while the pen/pencil is in the air.
(In other words, these tricks look best if you can keep your hand in the same place and still catch the pen/pencil.)
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Description
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Press the pencil in between the bottom of the thumb and the side of the middle finger. Pull your thumb towards you to 'snap' the pencil up into the air. The pencil spins vertically in the air clockwise* from your perspective and is caught again. This video shows two rotations in the air, but more or less rotations are possible as well. |
96 KB 312 KB |
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This trick is initiated in the same
manner as the Thumb Snap, but instead of having the pencil rotate vertically,
try to snap the pen in a more horizontal manner. The pencil should spin
one rotation clockwise* and then should be caught in writing position.
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100 KB 284 KB |
Combos
Combos are formed by linking two or more tricks together into one smooth motion. Combos can be a one-shot combo, or
can be continuous. A special type of continuous combo is a harmonic combo, in which a trick followed is by its reverse motion,
then to its forward motion again, and back to its reverse motion...continuously...you get the idea.
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A combo formed by linking the Faked Index Spin to the Thumbaround. |
128 KB 448 KB |
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A combo formed by linking the 5-4 Sonic with the Sonic (4-3 Sonic). |
88 KB 324 KB |
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A combo formed by linking the Sonic to the Thumbaround. |
132 KB 348 KB |
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A combo formed by linking the Reverse Thumbaround to the Sonic to the Thumbaround. This combo can be performed continuously as well, although I have not mastered this yet. |
160 KB 500 KB |
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A combo formed by linking Half-taps together continuously |
232 KB 824 KB |
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A combo formed by linking the Reverse Thumbaround to the Thumbaround and back again continuously. |
212 KB 680 KB |
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Ordinarily, doing a Sonic continuously
would not be possible, but by inserting a step from a Reverse Fingerpass
after each Sonic, the fingers are in position to do another and another,
continuously.
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464 KB 1500 KB
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A combo formed by linking a Charge
between your ring and middle finger to a Charge between your middle
and index finger via a Twisted Sonic.
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320 KB 1200 KB
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A combo formed by linking a Sonic
to a Backaround.
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236 KB 712 KB
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This stunning combo was invented by
Kam (creator of Pentix & Pentrix) and consists of a Sonic 5-4 linked
to a Twisted Sonic and followed by a 540 Thumbspin. It is my opinion
that this combo is easier to perform when you start out with the palm
of your hand facing the floor, and then flick your hand up into normal
orientation just as you are about to enter the 540 Thumbspin.
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176 KB 592 KB
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Miscellaneous Tricks
This is where I have put tricks that didn't really fit into the other families.
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Video
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Description
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Do a Thumbaround with both hands at the same time. Your hands look like a mirror-image of eachother for a neat effect. |
68 KB 232 KB |
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Exactly like the Thumbaround,
except you spin two pencils at once instead of one.
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104 KB 304 KB |
TV Remotes and Other Objects
Once you master some pen spinning tricks (such as the Thumbaround) it's fun to experiment with spinning
other things as well. For example, I have become sort of adept at spinning TV remotes. Silverware is also fun to spin.
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Description
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This is simply the Thumbaround being performed with a remote. |
80 KB 236 KB |
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This one is a bit harder, and only
certain remotes work for this trick. Once you initiate the spin just
like the Thumbaround, let the remote spin another half spin on
top of the thumb before catching it again. It's a stylish way to hand
over the remote to your pesky sibling who wants to watch TV.
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104 KB 300KB |
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Basically, you just hold the remote
in your hand normally. Then, flick your wrist upwards and release the
remote with your thumb. Allow the remote to spin a full rotation clockwise*
on your fingertips before catching it again.
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108 KB 272 KB |
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After performing a half taps with
the remote, push the remote back in the other direction with the thumb
so it does a half rotation. Now you're back where you started, so do
another half taps, and push it back again. Rinse, lather, and repeat.
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212 KB 752 KB |
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If you ever feel bored at a restaurant,
or want to freak out a waitress, hone your silverware spinning skills!
This video shows Thumbarounds being performed with a fork, spoon, butterknife,
and a regular knife. Remember, always be careful when spinning sharp
objects! Remember, Larry's Pen Spinning Site and/or its creator are
not responsible for injuries sustained if you attempt to do this.
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348 KB
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* Not an official name
* The direction of the spin (clockwise or counterclockwise) depends on which hand you are using. All my descriptions assume you are right handed.
If you are left handed, simply reverse the direction of spin.
Copyright © 2005 Conor Jacobs. Site content and videos on Larry's Pen Spinning Site are
not for use or distribution commercially without express written consent of Conor Jacobs.