Last updated: May 15, 2026
The Waterfall is a Phase 2 Flow Star trick that uses timing, a controlled drop, and your forearms to move the star from one side of your body to the other.
This move works best when your backward Vertical Figure 8 feels familiar. Start slow, keep the toss controlled, and focus on guiding the roll instead of throwing the star hard.
How Do You Do the Waterfall?
Start from a backward Vertical Figure 8, give the Flow Star a controlled upward toss, angle your arms like a ramp, and let the star roll down across your forearms. The key is timing the drop and stepping in slightly so the star lands where you can guide it.
Waterfall Video Tutorial
Watch the setup and arm angle closely. The Waterfall is less about throwing high and more about creating a clean path for the star to roll.
What to Watch For
Backward 8 entry: The setup comes from the star moving up and toward you.
Controlled toss: The toss should create a window, not launch the star out of reach.
Arm ramp: Your arms create the path the star rolls down.
Small step in: Moving toward the star helps you meet the roll instead of chasing it late.
Waterfall Steps
Use the backward Vertical Figure 8 as your entry. You want the star moving up and toward you before the toss.
Give the star a small, controlled lift. Do not throw it hard. The goal is to create enough space to position your arms for the roll.
Bring your arms into a slight angle so the star has a path to travel down. Keep your hands and forearms ready to guide, not grab.
Take a small step toward the star and let it make contact with your forearm. Guide the roll across your arms and reset once it comes through.
Common Waterfall Mistakes
Most Waterfall problems come from tossing too hard, missing the arm angle, or trying to catch the star instead of letting it roll.
A huge toss makes the timing harder. Keep it controlled so the star stays close enough to guide.
If your arms do not create a ramp, the star has nowhere clean to travel.
Aim for the forearm contact point. If you miss that first touch, the roll usually falls apart.
Let the star roll before you reset. Grabbing early kills the movement and makes the trick look choppy.
One-Song Practice Drill
Practice the Entry Before the Full Roll
Put on one song and practice the setup in pieces. First clean up the backward 8 entry, then the small toss, then the arm angle. Add the full roll only when the setup feels steady.
Practice the backward Vertical Figure 8 entry slowly.
Add the small upward toss without trying the full roll yet.
Set your arm angle and aim for the first forearm contact point.
Try the full Waterfall slowly, then reset after each attempt.
Waterfall FAQ
The Waterfall is an intermediate Flow Star trick where the star is tossed from a backward Vertical Figure 8 setup and guided into a roll across your forearms.
Practice the Backward Vertical Figure 8 first. The Waterfall uses that upward, toward-you momentum as the setup for the roll.
This usually means the toss is too close, too high, or your arm path is not giving the star enough room to roll. Keep the toss controlled, angle your arms, and slightly lower your head out of the path while you practice.
Focus on the setup first. A cleaner backward 8 entry, controlled toss, angled arms, and small step toward the star will make the roll smoother than throwing harder.
After the Waterfall, move into the Three Beat Weave to build more crossing patterns and connected movement.
Need a Flow Star before you practice?
Keep scrolling to browse Flow Star collections below. A Regular Flow Star is a solid choice for learning intermediate transitions.
