Top 5 Beginner Tricks
Top 5 Beginner Kendama Tricks (And How to Do Them)
If you’re just getting started with kendama, these are the five tricks every player should learn first. Mastering these will build your balance, hand-eye coordination, and consistency before moving on to more advanced tricks.
1. Big Cup
The Big Cup is usually the very first trick beginners learn.
How to do it:
- Hold the ken with the big cup facing up.
- Let the tama hang below.
- Lift the tama with your knees—not just your arms.
- Guide the ball into the big cup.
- Bend your knees as it lands to absorb the impact.
Tip: Keep your eyes on the hole of the tama the entire time.
2. Small Cup
Once you can land the Big Cup consistently, move to the Small Cup.
How to do it:
- Rotate the ken so the small cup faces upward.
- Swing the tama gently.
- Lift with your legs.
- Catch the tama in the small cup.
- Stay smooth and avoid jerking your arm.
Tip: The motion should feel almost identical to the Big Cup.
3. Base Cup
The Base Cup is often the trick that starts teaching better control.
How to do it:
- Turn the base cup upward.
- Swing the tama straight up.
- Keep the ken level.
- Catch the tama in the base cup.
- Bend your knees as it lands.
Tip: Try to keep the tama traveling in a straight line.
4. Spike
Landing your first spike is one of the biggest milestones in kendama.
How to do it:
- Start with the tama hanging below.
- Swing it upward.
- Watch the hole carefully.
- Guide the spike into the hole instead of stabbing at it.
- Cushion the landing with your knees.
Tip: Stay relaxed. Accuracy is more important than speed.
5. Around the World
This trick combines everything you’ve learned.
How to do it:
- Land the Big Cup.
- Transfer to the Small Cup.
- Move to the Base Cup.
- Finish by landing the Spike.
Tip: Don’t rush between catches. Pause, get balanced, then move to the next step.
Final Tips
- Practice for 15–30 minutes a day.
- Use your knees to absorb every catch.
- Stay relaxed and don’t grip the ken too tightly.
- Focus on smooth movements instead of fast ones.
- Most importantly, have fun—everyone misses a lot when they’re learning!
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kendama!