OK, there has got to be some math to explain this to me. Does he have to spin it a certain number of times? Does it have to be at an exact speed or does depend on the number of spins?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p2Hjw0Cq7FU

Athletes have exceptionally good reflexes and an exceptionally good kinesthetic sense. It's a bit of a guy thing. Granted, some females are into (potentially) hurting themselves to see if they can accomplish some neat physical trick. However, doing so is ubiquitous amongst males, boys in particular (e.g., Jackass). Some boys never grow up.

My first reaction on seeing that video: Cool trick! I need to try that! I went to my sports closet, dug out a baseball bat, and tried it. It's easy to do (slowly). Some boys never grow up. Speed things up like he did and it gets a bit tougher. (And more painful if you don't have the timing exactly right.)

notice the way he does it. It is a parabolic motion away from him. Sort of a boomerang motion.

ah yes, one end of the bat is heavier than the other. Would it work like this on a uniform size stick?

ah yes, one end of the bat is heavier than the other. Would it work like this on a uniform size stick?

someone ought to try tha :) I would imagine with uniform mass stick it would be possible to do only one or two rotations if you move after the stick once you throw it away from yourself.

Also I said "mass" because a uniform size stick but with different density construction on different ends...say half metal and half wood...would act just like the bat.

someone ought to try tha :) I would imagine with uniform mass stick it would be possible to do only one or two rotations if you move after the stick once you throw it away from yourself.

Also I said "mass" because a uniform size stick but with different density construction on different ends...say half metal and half wood...would act just like the bat.

ah good point.
sooo, you have a stick laying around you can do a test with like DH did? <hint hint>

(and super thanks DH!!!!) :thankyou:

ah yes, one end of the bat is heavier than the other. Would it work like this on a uniform size stick?
Sure. It's even possible grabbing the wrong end of the bat.

Stop asking questions like this. :D You really want me to hurt myself, don't you?

Sure. It's even possible grabbing the wrong end of the bat.

Stop asking questions like this. :D You really want me to hurt myself, don't you?

Grabbing the larger end of the bat first and spinning it, you can grab the larger end again?
How many times does he spin it?

The bat spins only once, although at high speed like that it looks like more.
It would work on a uniform size stick.
The trick is to flick the handle of the bat backwards. On release, you want the middle of the bat (it's centre of gravity) to be stationary, and the near and far ends moving in opposite directions - i.e. you want it to be spinning on the spot. Ideally, it will also be moving up slightly as well so that it doesn't fall much during the spin.

With practice, you could probably have it spin two or (maybe) three times, but it might not actually look as impressive... I think this trick is so cool because it's over so fast that you're not sure what happened. A double spin would take twice as long to complete, and you wouldn't get as much of a "what the?!?" effect.

really? Its only one spin? It looks like so much more.
I'm still trying to do it. I've hurt myself a few times, so now I'm all flinchy

Maybe try it with something smaller and lighter first.
A pencil works, but it's a bit too small to handle easily. Maybe a roll of clingwrap, or a section of vacuum cleaner tube?

My father (as an ex-joiner) used to do something similar (and taught me), but he did it vertically with a claw hammer, and without swinging first.
Eventually I got to stage where I could hold the hammer horizontally, let go, slap the end of the handle very quickly and then catch the handle after one or more rotations at more or less the same height as it was released.
For more than two rotations the hammer fell enough so that you'd also have to bend to catch it, I vaguely remember that I never managed more than three rotations before either the hammer or my hand trying to catch it hit the ground.

Sure. It's even possible grabbing the wrong end of the bat.

Stop asking questions like this. :D You really want me to hurt myself, don't you?


I wonder if its possible to do the same trick with nitroglycerin? or flaming chainsaws? :D

I wonder if its possible to do the same trick with nitroglycerin? or flaming chainsaws? :D

You go have your breakfast of champions and then I'll get the chainsaw to see if it works. ;)

My father (as an ex-joiner) used to do something similar (and taught me), but he did it vertically with a claw hammer, and without swinging first.
Eventually I got to stage where I could hold the hammer horizontally, let go, slap the end of the handle very quickly and then catch the handle after one or more rotations at more or less the same height as it was released.
For more than two rotations the hammer fell enough so that you'd also have to bend to catch it, I vaguely remember that I never managed more than three rotations before either the hammer or my hand trying to catch it hit the ground.

did you grab the handle every time?