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“The Freestyle Nunchaku E-book” by JMVICUNA & http://nunchakututorials.com Version 1.0GRIPS
When you hold one or 2 sticks with your hand, you are gripping the nunchaku Front grip: The nunchaku’s connector
is near your thumb
Back grip: The nunchaku’s connector is near you pinky finger
Head grip: Here you grip your nunchaku near the link or connector of the nunchaku
Body grip: In this grip you hold your nunchaku in the middle of the stick
Tail grip: Here the grip is in the end of the stick, the farthest away from the connector of the nunchaku
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“The Freestyle Nunchaku E-book” by JMVICUNA & http://nunchakututorials.com Version 1.0PIVOT POINT
The pivot point is the point where the nunchaku spins around. For example, if you make a big circle with your arm full extended, the pivot point will be the shoulder, because the nunchaku is spinning around the shoulder, making it a pivot point.
Another way to understand the pivot point is to imagine a spinning nunchaku, and then freeze a moment in the spinning. Then make it do a half rotation without altering the course it had, and make it freeze again. You will have two “freeze” nunchakus, and the middle point between them is the pivot point.
The pictures below were taken using a led nunchaku, with only the free stick lighted up. The lights you see are created by the pattern of the free stick.
Pivot point Description Picture
Shoulder pivot point.
This is achieved when you do a big circle with your arm full extended. Notice how the nunchaku creates a big circle around the shoulder
Elbow pivot point.
For this one, the only thing moving is the elbow, creating a smaller circle than with the shoulder as pivot point.
Tail of the stick being hold In this one, I use a tail front grip, using the tail of the nunchaku as pivot point.
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“The Freestyle Nunchaku E-book” by JMVICUNA & http://nunchakututorials.com Version 1.0Head of the stick being hold In this one, the nunchaku was spinning with the tip of the holding stick moving.
Double pivot point: shoulder and head of the stick being hold.
If you use two pivot points, you create an effect called flowers. The number of petals that the flower has depends in the number of revolutions you do with the smallest pivot point. In this case the big pivot point was a shoulder pivot point and the smaller one was a head of the stick picot point.
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“The Freestyle Nunchaku E-book” by JMVICUNA & http://nunchakututorials.com Version 1.0PLANES
The planes are a flat surface on which a straight line joining any two points on it would wholly lie. Image that when you are holding the nunchaku, you are inside a cube. The walls of the cube will be the planes at where you can swing the nunchaku. So you have different planes where to swing the nunchaku. There are also more planes than the 6 planes that can generate a cube, for example the core plane, which is a plane between the near and far plane (walls).
The terminology can be plane or walls, so saying front plane or front wall mean the same.
Back plane: Is the opposite wall to the front plane. Is behind your body
Core plane: This plane is a vertical plane that cuts your body in two. If you clap your hands in front of your nose, you will have this plane between your palms. It is between the near and far wall
Far armpit: is a plane between the core plane and the far wall
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“The Freestyle Nunchaku E-book” by JMVICUNA & http://nunchakututorials.com Version 1.0Far wall: Is the wall at the opposite side of the near wall.
Floor: is the plane that is more near the floor.
Front plane: is the wall that is in front of your body.
Near armpit: is a plane between the core plane and the near wall
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“The Freestyle Nunchaku E-book” by JMVICUNA & http://nunchakututorials.com Version 1.0Near wall: is the nearest wall to the side where you are holding the nunchaku
Roof: Is the plane above your head
Table plane: This plane is between the roof and floor planes, so it's parallel to them.
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“The Freestyle Nunchaku E-book” by JMVICUNA & http://nunchakututorials.com Version 1.0AERIALS
An Aerial is done when you release the nunchaku and it fly in midair, with a moment without any contact, and then you catch it again
The catch of the nunchaku is a very important part, because you have two options:
1) To keep the flow 2) To break the flow
If you decide to keep the flow, the direction of the free stick, this is the opposite stick that you catch, can’t change after the grab, so the transition between midair movement and the move after to catch the nunchaku is as smooth as it can be, and it gives a view of continuous flow
If you decide to break the flow, you should do it with a purpose, if not the catch will look unnatural, and not so pleasant to the viewer.
Check the following video for a first approach to aerials, and to know more about a smooth catch:
http://nunchakututorials.com/articles/aerials-basics-and-theory-in-nunchaku/
VERTICAL AERIALS
UNDER THE ARM (UTA) 1) UTA Near Arm
a) Downspin
i) Dolphin aerial: this aerial consist in swinging the nunchaku downwards, at the side of your body, and then throwing it into the air behind your shoulder, and catching it again in front of your shoulder. So with these forces, the nunchaku will make a kind of parabolic pattern around your shoulder.
(1) Tutorial: http://nunchakututorials.com/tutorials/intermediate-tut/dolphin-aerial/
(2) Can be link with:
(a) Rolls
(i) Dolphin aerial to the wheel: This is an advanced trick in which you will need an excellent control of the nunchaku in midair, and a perfect timing to catch the nunchaku by the chain or cord with just two fingers to keep the rotation of the nunchaku, with thus performing the wheel.
1. Tutorial: http://nunchakututorials.com/tutorials/advanced-tut/the-wheel-from-a-dolphin-aerial-nunchaku/
b) Upspin
i) Inverse dolphin aerial: This is the reverse form of the dolphin aerial. This aerial is a lot more difficult than the dolphin aerial, so first learn the dolphin aerial well, so you know how to control
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“The Freestyle Nunchaku E-book” by JMVICUNA & http://nunchakututorials.com Version 1.0the nunchaku in midair. A tip for doing this aerial is to add an upwards force with your shoulder, so the nunchaku will have a rising force.
(1) Tutorial: http://nunchakututorials.com/tutorials/advanced-tut/inverse-dolphin-aerial/
2) UTA Far Arm: this is a basic aerial, which will help you to develop coordination and control with aerials.
a) Tutorial: http://nunchakututorials.com/tutorials/intermediate-tut/under-the-arm-aerial/
UNDER THE LEG (UTL)
The nunchaku will be release after being passed under the leg
1) UTL Far Leg: The nunchaku goes under the opposite leg of the hand that is holding the nunchaku a) Outspin
i) Outspin UTFL aerial
(1) Tutorial: http://nunchakututorials.com/tutorials/intermediate-tut/outspin-under-the-far-leg-aerial/
b) Inspin
i) Inspin UTFL aerial
(1) Tutorial: http://nunchakututorials.com/tutorials/intermediate-tut/inspin-under-the-far-leg-aerial/
2) UTL Near Leg: The nunchaku goes under the leg in the same side of the hand that is holding the nunchaku a) Outspin
i) Outspin UTNL aerial
(1) Tutorial: http://nunchakututorials.com/tutorials/intermediate-tut/outspin-under-the-near-leg-aerial/
b) Inspin
i) Inspin UTNL aerial
ii) Tutorial: http://nunchakututorials.com/tutorials/intermediate-tut/inspin-under-the-near-leg-aerial/
3) Can can aerial
a) Can can from far leg
i) Tutorial: http://nunchakututorials.com/tutorials/advanced-tut/can-can-aerial-from-far-leg/
b) Can can from near leg
i) Tutorial: http://nunchakututorials.com/tutorials/advanced-tut/can-can-aerial-from-the-near-leg/
BETWEEN THE LEGS
1) Between the legs aerial: the tricky part of this aerial is that you can’t lift your feet from the ground, so the control and timing must be perfect, because you can hit yourself easily.
a) Tutorial: http://nunchakututorials.com/tutorials/intermediate-tut/between-the-legs-aerial/
BEHIND THE BACK
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“The Freestyle Nunchaku E-book” by JMVICUNA & http://nunchakututorials.com Version 1.01) Aerial with 360° body rotation: This aerial is done, while your body spins 360 degrees, so you catch it back, after the turn. This can be really tricky to calculate, but with some practice, and good aerial control, can be done with no problems.
a) Tutorial: http://nunchakututorials.com/tutorials/advanced-tut/aerial-with-360-body-rotation/
2) Inspin
a) Behind the back aerial
i) Tutorial: http://nunchakututorials.com/tutorials/intermediate-tut/behind-the-back-nunchaku-aerial/
b) Behind the back UTA aerial
i) Tutorial: http://nunchakututorials.com/tutorials/intermediate-tut/behind-the-back-under-the-arm-aerial/
FRONT PLANE 1) Outspin
a) Front aerial
i) Tutorial: http://nunchakututorials.com/tutorials/intermediate-tut/front-aerial/
HORIZONTAL
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“The Freestyle Nunchaku E-book” by JMVICUNA & http://nunchakututorials.com Version 1.0BOUNCES
A nunchaku bounce is done when the nunchaku makes contact with a part of the body, and after the contact it will move quickly away from the zone. A bounce should not damage or give you any pain when correctly done.
HORIZONTAL BOUNCES 1) Shoulder / arm
a) Horizontal Shoulder Bounce
i) Slow motion video: http://nunchakututorials.com/library-of-tricks/beginner-lot/horizontal-shoulder-bounce/
ii) Tutorial: http://nunchakututorials.com/tutorials/beginner-tut/horizontal-arm-bounce-nunchaku/
2) Leg
a) Frontal kick leg bounce
i) Tutorial: http://nunchakututorials.com/tutorials/beginner-tut/frontal-kick-leg-bounce-nunchaku/
b) Knee bounce
i) Tutorial: http://nunchakututorials.com/tutorials/beginner-tut/knee-nunchaku-bounce/
c) Frontal foot kick bounce
i) Tutorial: http://nunchakututorials.com/tutorials/beginner-tut/frontal-kick-foot-bounce-nunchaku/
3) Hip
a) Hip bounce
i) Can be link with:
(1) Hip bounce to fingersping
(a) Tutorial: http://nunchakututorials.com/tutorials/advanced-tut/nunchaku-finger-spin-from-a-bounce/
VERTICAL BOUNCES 1) Downspin
a) Leg
i) Leg bounce
(1) Tutorial: http://nunchakututorials.com/tutorials/beginner-tut/leg-nunchaku-bounce/
b) Shoulder / arm i) Shoulder bounce
(1) Tutorial: http://nunchakututorials.com/tutorials/beginner-tut/nunchaku-shoulder-bounce/
(2) Can be link with:
(a) Shoulder bounce to downspin wheel
(i) Tutorial: http://nunchakututorials.com/tutorials/intermediate-tut/the-wheel-from-an-arm-bounce/
(ii) Slow Motion video: http://nunchakututorials.com/library-of-tricks/advanced-lot/downspin-wheel-from-an-arm-bounce/
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“The Freestyle Nunchaku E-book” by JMVICUNA & http://nunchakututorials.com Version 1.0DIAGONAL BOUNCES
OTHER BOUNCES 1) Combos
a) Triangular bounce combo i) Single nunchaku
(1) Tutorial: http://nunchakututorials.com/tutorials/beginner-tut/triangular-bounce-combo/
ii) Double Nunchaku
(1) Tutorial: http://nunchakututorials.com/double-nunchaku/doubles-nunchaku-triangular-bounce/
b) Double leg combo
i) Tutorial: http://nunchakututorials.com/tutorials/intermediate-tut/double-leg-bounce-nunchaku-combo/
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“The Freestyle Nunchaku E-book” by JMVICUNA & http://nunchakututorials.com Version 1.0PASSES
You do a pass with your nunchaku, when you exchange the nunchaku from the holding hand to the free hand. Normally each hand holds a different stick for a moment
VERTICAL PASSES
SHOULDER 1) UpSpin
a) Upspin shoulder pass
i) Tutorial: http://nunchakututorials.com/tutorials/beginner-tut/shoulder-pass-nunchaku/
ii) Slow motion video: http://nunchakututorials.com/library-of-tricks/beginner-lot/upspin-shoulder-pass/
iii) Can be linked with (1) Aerials
(a) Inverse dolphin aerial
(b) Under the leg aerial (inside near leg) (2) Bounces
(a) Bounce to inside near feet (b) Bounce to inside near knee (c) Bounce to outside far feet (d) Bounce to outside far knee (3) Passes
(4) Rolls
(a) Wristroll (b) Finger spins
(i) Thumb spin (5) Swings
(a) Figure 8
(i) Downspin figure 8 (it needs body rotation)
(ii) Downspin figure 8 wristrolls (it needs body rotation) (iii) Upspin figure 8
(iv) Upspin figure 8 wristrolls (b) Circular swings
(i) Upspin vertical circular swing b) One shoulder pass
i) Tutorial: http://nunchakututorials.com/tutorials/intermediate-tut/one-shoulder-pass/
2) DownSpin
a) Reverse shoulder pass
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“The Freestyle Nunchaku E-book” by JMVICUNA & http://nunchakututorials.com Version 1.0i) Tutorial: http://nunchakututorials.com/tutorials/beginner-tut/shoulder-pass-reverse-nunchaku/
UNDER THE LEG (UTL) 1) Downspin
a) Tutorial: http://nunchakututorials.com/tutorials/beginner-tut/downwards-between-the-legs-pass/
2) Upspin
a) Tutorial: http://nunchakututorials.com/tutorials/beginner-tut/upwards-between-the-legs-pass/
FRONT PLANE 1) Twister
a) Tutorial: http://nunchakututorials.com/tutorials/intermediate-tut/twister/
CORE PLANE 1) Palm pass
a) Tutorial: http://nunchakututorials.com/tutorials/beginner-tut/palm-pass/
HORIZONTAL PASSES
i) Slow motion video: http://nunchakututorials.com/library-of-tricks/intermediate-lot/back-waist-pass-slow-motion/
ii) Tutorial: http://nunchakututorials.com/tutorials/beginner-tut/waist-pass-behind-the-back/
b) Front pass
i) Tutorial: http://nunchakututorials.com/tutorials/beginner-tut/frontal-waist-pass-nunchaku/
2) Far Waist DIAGONAL PASSES
BACK PASS
1) Starting Position a) Neck/Shoulder
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“The Freestyle Nunchaku E-book” by JMVICUNA & http://nunchakututorials.com Version 1.0i) Near Neck/Shoulder
(1) Upspin Diagonal Back Pass
(a) Tutorial: http://nunchakututorials.com/tutorials/beginner-tut/diagonal-upspin-back-pass/
(b) Slow motion video: http://nunchakututorials.com/library-of-tricks/beginner-lot/upspin-front-to-front-back-pass/
ii) Far Neck/Shoulder (1) Upspin
(a) Tutorial: http://nunchakututorials.com/tutorials/beginner-tut/diagonal-back-pass-nunchaku/
b) Waist
i) Near waist
(1) Upspin behind the back pass
(a) Tutorial: http://nunchakututorials.com/tutorials/intermediate-tut/upwards-behind-the-back-pass/
ONE HAND PASSES (OHP)
These are consider as rolls, even though the name is "passes"
VERTICAL OHP 1) Arm
a) Inspin
i) Tutorial: http://nunchakututorials.com/tutorials/intermediate-tut/wristroll-in-the-opposite-hand/
HORIZONTAL OHP 1) Neck
a) Neck roll 360 OHP
i) Tutorial: http://nunchakututorials.com/tutorials/intermediate-tut/neck-roll-360-nunchaku/
DIAGONAL OHP 1) Neck
a) Far Neck
i) The windy scarf
(1) Tutorial: http://nunchakututorials.com/tutorials/intermediate-tut/the-windy-scarf/
OTHER
DOUBLE PLANES
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“The Freestyle Nunchaku E-book” by JMVICUNA & http://nunchakututorials.com Version 1.01) Horizontal to vertical plane a) Plane changer bounce pass
i) Tutorial: http://nunchakututorials.com/tutorials/beginner-tut/plane-changer-bounce-pass/
UNDER THE FOOT CHANGE OF DIRECTION
1) Tutorial: http://nunchakututorials.com/tutorials/under-the-leg-change-of-direction/
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“The Freestyle Nunchaku E-book” by JMVICUNA & http://nunchakututorials.com Version 1.0ROLLS
A Nunchaku Roll is done when the nunchaku travels around a part of the body, and there isn't hand contact to help the rotation
FINGERSPIN
i) Fingerspin for beginners
(1) Tutorial: http://nunchakututorials.com/tutorials/advanced-tut/finger-spin-for-beginners/
2) Diagonal a) Outspin
TWO FINGERS
The Wheel: Rotate the nunchaku with the connector as pivot point. You will be using fingers from each hand, usually the same finger in each hand. Check this video for an introduction to the wheel:
http://nunchakututorials.com/tutorials/intermediate-tut/the-wheel-explanation/
1) Vertical
a) Downspin Wheel
i) From a stop position
(1) Tutorial: http://nunchakututorials.com/tutorials/intermediate-tut/the-wheel-downwards/
(2) Slow motion video: http://nunchakututorials.com/library-of-tricks/advanced-lot/downwards-wheel-from-a-stop-position/
(3) Can be linked with:
(a) Downspin wheel to finger spin
(i) Tutorial: http://nunchakututorials.com/tutorials/advanced-tut/finger-spin-from-the-wheel/
ii) Under the leg Wheel
(1) Tutorial: http://nunchakututorials.com/tutorials/advanced-tut/under-the-leg-wheel/
b) Upspin Wheel
i) From a Stop Position
(1) Tutorial: http://nunchakututorials.com/tutorials/intermediate-tut/the-wheel-upwards/
2) Horizontal
a) Horizontal Wheel
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“The Freestyle Nunchaku E-book” by JMVICUNA & http://nunchakututorials.com Version 1.0i) Tutorial: http://nunchakututorials.com/tutorials/advanced-tut/the-wheel-horizontally/
3) Diagonal WRISTROLLS
There have been many arguments of what is a wristroll and what is a handroll in freestyle nunchaku, but in this site, I will call both moves as wristrolls, to avoid any misunderstanding. Of course you can call the moves whatever you want, the important thing here is that you know the move!
Theory: Video: http://nunchakututorials.com/articles/wristroll-and-handroll-theory/
VERTICAL 1) Front plane
a) Outspin
i) Backgrip to backgrip
(1) Slow motion video: http://nunchakututorials.com/library-of-tricks/intermediate-lot/back-to-back-front-plane-outspin-wristroll/
(2) Tutorial: http://nunchakututorials.com/tutorials/intermediate-tut/wristroll-nunchaku-tutorial/
ii) Backgrip to frontgrip
(1) Tutorial: http://nunchakututorials.com/tutorials/intermediate-tut/back-to-front-outspin-wristroll/
iii) Frontgrip to frontgrip
(1) Tutorial: http://nunchakututorials.com/tutorials/intermediate-tut/front-to-front-outspin-wristroll/
iv) Frontgrip to backgrip
(1) Tutorial: http://nunchakututorials.com/tutorials/intermediate-tut/front-to-back-outspin-wristroll/
b) Inspin
i) Backgrip to backgrip
(1) Tutorial: http://nunchakututorials.com/tutorials/intermediate-tut/back-to-back-inspin-wristroll/
ii) Backgrip to frontgrip
(1) Tutorial: http://nunchakututorials.com/tutorials/intermediate-tut/back-to-front-inspin-wristroll/
iii) Frontgrip to backgrip
(1) Tutorial: http://nunchakututorials.com/tutorials/intermediate-tut/front-to-back-inspin-wristroll/
2) Combos
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“The Freestyle Nunchaku E-book” by JMVICUNA & http://nunchakututorials.com Version 1.0a) Outspin
i) Stop and go wristroll combo
(1) Tutorial: http://nunchakututorials.com/tutorials/intermediate-tut/stop-and-go-outspin-wristroll/
b) Inspin
i) Stop and go Wristroll combo
(1) Tutorial: http://nunchakututorials.com/tutorials/intermediate-tut/stop-and-go-inspin-wristroll/
c) Downspin
i) Front to back & back to front wristroll
(1) Tutorial: http://nunchakututorials.com/tutorials/intermediate-tut/wristroll-in-a-figure-8/
HORIZONTAL 1) Table plane
a) Inspin
i) Frontgrip to frontgrip
(1) Tutorial: http://nunchakututorials.com/tutorials/advanced-tut/front-to-front-wristroll-nunchaku/
b) Combos
i) Front to back & back to front
(1) Tutorial: http://nunchakututorials.com/tutorials/intermediate-tut/horizontal-wristroll/
DIAGONAL
ONE HAND PASSES (OHP)
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“The Freestyle Nunchaku E-book” by JMVICUNA & http://nunchakututorials.com Version 1.0STALLS
A Stall is done when one hand is holding a stick of the nunchaku, and the other stick is caught by another part of the body (appart from the other hand)
VERTICAL 1) Upspin
a) Armpit stall
i) Tutorial: http://nunchakututorials.com/tutorials/beginner-tut/armpit-nunchaku-catch/
2) Downspin
a) Frontal strike
i) Tutorial: http://nunchakututorials.com/tutorials/beginner-tut/frontal-nunchaku-strike/
HORIZONTAL 1) Farspin
a) Horizontal strike
i) Tutorial: http://nunchakututorials.com/tutorials/intermediate-tut/horizontal-armpit-nunchaku-strike/
2) Combo
a) Armpit stall to aerial
i) Tutorial: http://nunchakututorials.com/tutorials/intermediate-tut/armpit-aerial-nunchaku-combo/
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“The Freestyle Nunchaku E-book” by JMVICUNA & http://nunchakututorials.com Version 1.0STANCES
How you are standing with your nunchaku 1) Switch of nunchaku stance
a) Tutorial: http://nunchakututorials.com/tutorials/beginner-tut/switch-of-nunchaku-stance/
2) Travelling around the body
a) Tutorial: http://nunchakututorials.com/tutorials/beginner-tut/nunchaku-travelling-around-your-body/
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“The Freestyle Nunchaku E-book” by JMVICUNA & http://nunchakututorials.com Version 1.0SWINGS
When you swing your nunchaku, the holding had will not release it and the nunchaku will not get in contact with anything
(1) Video: http://nunchakututorials.com/library-of-tricks/beginner-lot/frontgrip-downspin-coreplane-circular-swing/
2) Backgrip
a) Near Wall Plane i) Upspin
(1) Video: http://nunchakututorials.com/library-of-tricks/beginner-lot/backgrip-near-wall-upspin-circular-swing/
ii) Downspin
(1) Video: http://nunchakututorials.com/library-of-tricks/beginner-lot/backgrip-downspin-near-wall-circular-swing/
(1) Video: http://nunchakututorials.com/library-of-tricks/beginner-lot/backgrip-table-plane-farspin-circular-swing/
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“The Freestyle Nunchaku E-book” by JMVICUNA & http://nunchakututorials.com(i) Horizontal aerial (d) Wristroll
(i) Horizontal wristroll ii) Nearspin
(1) Video: http://nunchakututorials.com/library-of-tricks/beginner-lot/backgrip-table-plane-nearspin-circular-swing/
i) Tutorial: http://nunchakututorials.com/tutorials/beginner-tut/figure-8-backgrip-upwards/
b) Downspin
i) Tutorial: http://nunchakututorials.com/tutorials/beginner-tut/figure-8-backgrip-downwards/
2) Frontgrip a) Upspin
i) Tutorial: http://nunchakututorials.com/tutorials/beginner-tut/reverse-nunchaku-figure-8/
b) Downspin
i) Tutorial: http://nunchakututorials.com/tutorials/beginner-tut/figure-8-nunchaku/
ii) Can be link with:
ii) Can be link with: