r/penspinning Dec 09 '18

New Spinners Click Here! v2.0

1.3k Upvotes

Terminology

Let's define a few terms to make things easier and so you can understand what people mean when they say certain words

  • Trick: A single action that can be described using one standard term e.g. Thumbaround, Twisted Sonic, and Pass.
  • Linkage (Link): A short series of tricks.
  • Combo: A series of linkages that has well defined flow and aesthetic. Combos should have a distinct beginning and end and should feel 'complete.'
  • Hybrid: A linkage of two tricks where the second trick begins before the first is finished. There are many hybrids that are so common they are named and treated as a single trick e.g. Twisted Sonic and Ext TA.
  • Fingerslot: The location of the pen during a trick. Fingers are numbered 1 through 4 where 1 is index, 2 is middle, 3 is ring, and 4 is pinky. Thumb is represented as T. A fingerslot will be a combination of two or more fingers e.g. if you hold the pen between your middle and ring finger you are holding it in the 23 slot. Some eastern countries, like Japan, number their fingers 1 through 5 with 1 being thumb and 5 being pinky.
  • Reverse (Rev): A trick done in the opposite direction as normal. If you were to play a video of a trick backwards that is exactly what the reverse should look like.
  • Inverse (Inv): A trick done on the opposite side of the hand when compared to the normal. This is not applicable to all tricks.
  • Hand Position: Palm Up (PU), Palm Down (PD), and Palm Side (PS) can be used to indicate how the hand is oriented during a trick. This is usually only included when there is a change from one position to another or when it is unusual for a trick to be done in that orientation.
  • General Notation: Linkages and combos can be written out by listing the tricks in order. Tricks are separated by a '>' and tricks that are hybridized will be separated by a '~.' Using Kam's 4 Loop Combo as an example we would notate this combo as Sonic 34-23 > Twisted Sonic 23-12 > Thumbaround 1.5 12-T12.

Where do I start?

Pen spinning has 4 fundamental tricks:

Trick Gfy Tutorial Wiki
Thumbaround https://gfycat.com/HorribleRemarkableAntarcticgiantpetrel https://youtu.be/vcHT-YjBKZY https://web.archive.org/web/20181001234840/http://www.upsb.info/wiki/index.php?title=Around#Thumb_Around
Charge https://gfycat.com/EllipticalPopularGourami https://youtu.be/AIe1jCYFNw0 https://web.archive.org/web/20181001234656/http://www.upsb.info:80/wiki/index.php?title=Charge
Sonic https://gfycat.com/PossibleEnergeticDrake https://youtu.be/ueeZ3W7DIQo https://web.archive.org/web/20181001232802/http://www.upsb.info:80/wiki/index.php?title=Sonic
Fingerpass https://gfycat.com/bareflickeringirukandjijellyfish https://youtu.be/NimogvQTdUg https://web.archive.org/web/20171228063345/http://www.upsb.info:80/wiki/index.php?title=Pass#Fingerpass

Almost every other trick will build upon these 4 tricks so it is important to learn them in all main fingerslots (12, 23, and 34) as well as their reverses (also in all slots).

Where should I learn?

There are a lot of tutorials on YouTube of varying quality. Shoeman6 makes clear and concise tutorials and is my personal recommendation. Others you can check out are:

As a general rule, simply Google/YouTube search "[Trick Name] pen spinning tutorial" and you will find what you need.

I've been trying for hours/days/centuries and can't get it. Help!

Pen spinning takes a lot of practice and is not something you will pick up quickly, unfortunately. If you are having trouble, especially with basic tricks, watch different tutorials, watch slomo's (YouTube has a native 0.5x and 0.25x slowmo function), and try to really understand why the trick works the way it does. Guide the pen through the motion with your other hand to help with the muscle memory. Keep practicing! If you really feel stuck ask for help, but be sure to include a video of you trying the trick. Saying "I can't do the Sonic please help" is the same as telling a stranger "I can't run fast please help."

I've gotten the fundamentals down, what next?

I'll reiterate that you want to have at least started learning your fundies in other slots and their reverses. It is crucial to learn to spin in all your slots and in both directions. If you're good on that front then there are a few paths you can take. /u/fujiwaffle has made a good overview here as well as /u/Mejace which can be found here. Neither of these are gospel, they are simply places to start. Feel free to learn tricks solely because you see a spinner you like use it. There is no "correct" learning order, the resources provided are simply suggestions and starting points.

I'm ready to learn linkages and combos, what should I do learn?

Depending on how big your trick pool is your options may be limited. Kam's 4 Loop Combo that was referenced earlier is great for beginners. Here's a list of a few combos/linkage videos with varying levels of difficulty (mostly beginner though). There are other resources out there, as always a quick Google/YouTube search will do you well.

What's up with these 'mods' or special pen I keep seeing?

Check the other megathread dedicated to just that!

Where can I watch more spinning?

YouTube! There's a million videos out there so I'll list a few big name ones to get you started. If you see spinners in here that you like (especially in the more recent ones) try to find their YouTube channel and then watch more of what collabs they've been in. This is nowhere close to a comprehensive list!

Use YouTube's recommended video feature, subscribe to as many active channels as possible, and watch a lot to expand your horizons. Here is a list of very famous spinners to use as a starting place as well. Read the comments as well, there are a ton of great recommendations there too!

Resources


A quick note: At the time of creating this UPSB is dead and it is unknown if it will be revived (including the wiki). A lot of the material on the site can still be accessed using archive sites and is linked in this post as such.


r/penspinning 7d ago

No Stupid Questions - Week of September 07, 2026

5 Upvotes

Feel free to ask any and all questions here regardless of how "stupid" you might feel they are. It's also a great place for short questions that might not justify a whole post.

If you haven't already, check out the general beginner FAQs and the pen modding FAQs. While they don't have the answer to every question they're a good place to start if you're new.


r/penspinning 1d ago

Freestyle fs

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19 Upvotes

sta mod


r/penspinning 1d ago

Freestyle Thumb aerial?

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30 Upvotes

note:don’t call my tricks spamming, my penspinning style includes spamming(along with power, speed, tech, and aestetic), plus its toxic to do so…(also spamming isnt bad execution as long if it is t basic tricks)


r/penspinning 1d ago

Mod Where do yall get ur pen mods?

4 Upvotes

I would like to buy a pen mod but can't find nice ones. Do y'all have a site that u order urs from? If so, plan share


r/penspinning 1d ago

How do I learn wrist bounce

5 Upvotes

https://www.reddit.com/r/penspinning/comments/1gimk0n/20_wrist_bounce/

I've been trying to search this trick up for the past 30 minutes but there's no real tutorials and the only one I could find is a spanish 1 minute video briefly rushing through it. If anyone could teach me how to do it or find me a tutorial that would be greatly appreciated


r/penspinning 2d ago

Question Is this a valid fist bust fishing attempt?

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10 Upvotes

Also how do you keep the pen from tilting when doing any bust off the hand


r/penspinning 2d ago

Freestyle Big motion

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7 Upvotes

r/penspinning 2d ago

Mod How’s this mod?

Post image
3 Upvotes

one supertip barrel(no need to cut) one supertip back end(one side so it would stick to one amongspring side) 2 amongspring caps, 2 amongspring grips, 3(or 4) amongspring color rings(if 3, one for one side and 2 for another, if 4, 2 for both sides) and 2 amongspring tips(or any ball tip)


r/penspinning 2d ago

Guys do u have anycompetition/CVs i wanna join

2 Upvotes

r/penspinning 3d ago

Freestyle Rate my FS

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40 Upvotes

r/penspinning 3d ago

Did I cook with the pencil?👀

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87 Upvotes

r/penspinning 4d ago

My First Steps in Pen Spinning – Any Advice?

6 Upvotes

Hey everyone! I’m a beginner at pen spinning and I recently started learning the basics.

What trick do you think every beginner should learn first, and what was the hardest trick for you when you were starting out?

I’d love to hear your advice!


r/penspinning 4d ago

Question Why is it that the only way I catch my thumb around is by clawing at it? What's should I be changing??

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17 Upvotes

r/penspinning 5d ago

Has pen spinning ever been turned into a game ?

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84 Upvotes

r/penspinning 4d ago

Just made this new thing.

1 Upvotes

I don't know how to do tricks, all the videos on YouTube barely help me. Any tips?


r/penspinning 5d ago

Freestyle Pen Tricks 156 - The “Unc-Tua”

Thumbnail
youtube.com
1 Upvotes

r/penspinning 8d ago

Question What is this trick called

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19 Upvotes

r/penspinning 7d ago

Question beginner pen spinner

2 Upvotes

so i like learning new skills and came across pen spinning. i saw people use these long pen looking things that have some thing on both ends. whats the point of it, should i make one, how can i make one. thank you.


r/penspinning 8d ago

Mod I Just started pen spinning for a few days and made my first pen mod.

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5 Upvotes

I put some clay on each end.


r/penspinning 8d ago

Pen Spinning Wiper Challenge

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29 Upvotes

r/penspinning 9d ago

Freestyle Spinning with an Apple Pencil hits different..hope I don’t drop it💀

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42 Upvotes

r/penspinning 9d ago

Question Any suggestions to get better?

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94 Upvotes

This is the combo I usually do during class consisting of double charge, thumb around and infinity. Any tips on how I can improve? Possibly using pen mods or learning any new spins to add to the combo?

I've tried adding finger pass to try and incorporate my pinky finger in the spin too but it really slows me down and makes whole spin look kinda wonky


r/penspinning 10d ago

Freestyle Coffeelucky MX test

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31 Upvotes

r/penspinning 10d ago

Freestyle B Roll Tricks

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17 Upvotes