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Firestaff Skills and Techniques There are a few websites out there where you can see demos of basic firestaff skills. I am not going to use my bandwidth showcasing these tricks. Instead I am going to use this website to demo some less well known skills. A lot of fire performers don't do this. They see these type of techniques as their signature moves and protect them like trade secrets. I think that attitude is bullshit. Fire performing is supposed to be fun, and when people get competitive and secretive it ruins it for everyone. Besides, every time you do a show other people see them anyway. From here on out I am going to assume a basic level of competence with fire staff and a mature understanding of fire safety. Some of these tricks are rather difficult/dangerous and I recommend exercising caution while learning them. It is assumed that you become very comfortable with a skill before attempting it while lit. NOTE: Unless otherwise indicated, I made these tricks up. To my knowledge no one else does them other than people I have taught [either in person or on the web]. This does not mean that someone else couldn't [or for that matter hasn't] come up with them on their own elsewhere, just that I never saw them. All of the following files are in Quicktime format. If you don't have a Quicktime player get one here. The movies below are really small: none is over 100K and most are around 50K. Quicktime compression is awesome. - One handed flips - This is one of my oldest and most favorite moves [My Sensi HATED it when I did this in Aikido weapons class]. The basic idea is to flip and catch the staff using only one hand. One you get the hang of one rotation try doing more... This move can be done both in both directions. Basic flip [closeup] Double flip Triple flip NINJA - Two handed flip pass/juggle - This move consists of passing one handed double flips back and forth between hands. One you are a proficient at one-handed flipper with both hands it is rather easy. Two-handed double flip - Behind the back figure eights [backspin]- [thanks to Mason from Magmavox for this one] This move is just what it sounds like. Note that without swaying it is near impossible to do this with any speed. Backspin Backspin [Closeup] - Blind toss - [thanks to Josh for this one] This move consists of tossing the staff behind your back and catching it with the other hand. The movie shows one of my variations... Backtoss to flip - The Harlem globe trotter [roll]- This move consists of rolling the staff down one arm across your back and the other arm and catching it in the other hand [you can see a roll to double flip while lit on the movies page] Roll - Homage to Jackie Chan [dropkick]- This move consists of drop-kicking your staff and catching it. If you want to be a real badass then catch it behind your back. It helps to have a staff with some bounce in the shaft for this one. Basic dropkick Dropkick to behind back Dropkick to tripple flip Dropkick to Backspin Dropkick Juggle - Behind-the-back dropkick - This move is a more difficult varriant of the drop kick above. It was not my idea, but rather began as a dare and smack-talking one Sunday in the park. I give it it's own section cause it is so damn cool. Behind Back Dropkick - Can-can kick - Anyone can pass a staff between their legs. This move involves continuious kicking motions timed so as not to interefere with the staff movement. Can-Can Kick - Variations on the Neckspin - These are some of my variations on the basic neckspin that everyone does. All start with a contact roll up the arm. Rightside neckspin with a contact roll and a pass to the left hand Rightside neckspin with a contact roll to right hand Rightside neckspin with contact roll to palmspin Rightside neckspin with a contact roll to palmspin and transfer [w/ a twist] neck roll to shoulder pop more tricks added as I have time... Got ninja skills? Drop me an email. If it ends up here I promise to give you credit and link to your website. Blindfolded Firestaff I have gotten enough email request for tips on blindfolded staff that I though I would post something here. This is by no means intended to be a definitive guide to blindfolded fire, rather, just a collection of tips which I hope will be useful: - First off try closing your eyes while spinning an unlit implement, that way if you lose control you can open your eyes and protect yourself. I recommend finding a flat open area that no one is likely to wander through. Eventually you will get to the point where you can 'see' the staff in your mind. - When you are comfortable spinning with your eyes closed then try a blindfold, but keep to simple tricks. Some tricks which you can do easily with open eyes become very difficult when blindfolded, this is especially true for tricks where the staff leaves your hands -- the more times it rotates in the air without you touching it the harder it will be to accurately track with your mind. - Don't light up until you are totally comfortable spinning blindfolded. - You should always have a friend hanging out with a wet towel in case something goes wrong and this is doubly true if you are blindfolded.

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