Lesson 9 introduces the hardest combination in the series so far: a behind-the-back toss and catch. Alex has performed this move in public demonstrations and competitions for years, and by his own admission, it doesn’t always go to plan — he’s dropped it and even been disqualified because of it.
The setup starts simple. From a hand-across-body grip, you’ll work through easy forward circles to build rhythm and control. From there, the technique shifts: the sticks spin up and behind your back, releasing into the air for one full rotation before you catch them on the way down. What makes this trick so much harder than a standard toss-and-catch is the direction of rotation. Flipping the sticks forward and catching them is fairly approachable. Reversing that motion — spinning them backward, behind your body, out of your direct line of sight — asks for a completely different level of timing and spatial awareness.
Expect to drop this one. A lot. That’s normal, and it’s part of the process Alex describes here. Go in with patience, expect early misses, and build up rotations slowly.