Learning the Kendama Trick: Cold Pizza

Welcome back to another episode of “How to Play Kendama.” I’m your host, Bonzatron, and today we’re diving into one of the classic and super fun kendama tricks known as “Cold Pizza.” Whether you’re a beginner or looking to add some new moves to your repertoire, this trick is a great place to start.

What is Cold Pizza?

Cold Pizza is a trick that’s not only fun to perform but also an excellent confidence booster for kendama enthusiasts. It’s often one of the first tricks that beginners learn, and it sets the stage for more complex maneuvers. In essence, Cold Pizza involves looping your finger inside the string, letting the kendama’s Tama swirl around it, and then launching it back into action with style.

Mastering Cold Pizza

Let’s break down the steps to master Cold Pizza:

Step 1: The Setup

• Begin with a familiar starting point: the airplane. If you’re new to kendama, the airplane involves landing the Tama on the spike.

Step 2: The Loop

• Here’s where the Cold Pizza gets its name. Loop your finger inside the string that’s attached to the Tama. Imagine the Tama as a pizza slice spinning around your finger.

Step 3: The Drop

• In one fluid motion, drop both the kendama’s handle (Ken) and the Tama simultaneously. As they fall, they should create a loop around your finger.

Step 4: The Ken Grab

• As the Tama loops around your finger, swiftly grab the kendama’s handle (Ken) with your free hand. This move is like catching a pizza slice mid-air.

Step 5: The Swing

• Once you’ve grabbed the Ken, swing the Tama back around, aiming to land it on the base cup. This part adds a stylish touch to the trick.

Step 6: The Finish

• Finally, you have the freedom to finish the trick however you like. It could be a spike, a down spike, or any creative move that feels right in the moment.

Tips for Success

Mastering Cold Pizza can be a breeze with some helpful tips:

• Clean String Tension: Ensure that you get a nice and clean tension on the string. Using your “scissor fingers” to cut the string as you pull up into the airplane can help achieve this.
• Slight Leftward Movement: As you drop both the Ken and the Tama, move your hand slightly to the left. This action will aid in getting the loop around your finger neatly.
• Follow the Base Cup: Keep a close eye on the base cup as the Tama swings back around. Once it makes contact, be ready to cushion it down with your knees and complete the trick.

Advanced Variation: Cold Pizza into Space Walk

If you’ve been following our tutorials and have learned the Space Walk trick, here’s a fun addition. After mastering Cold Pizza, try transitioning smoothly into a Space Walk. It’s an exciting way to link different tricks together and showcase your kendama skills.

Conclusion

We hope you’ve enjoyed learning the Cold Pizza kendama trick in this episode. It’s a fundamental trick that sets the stage for your kendama journey. Remember to practice, stay patient, and keep exploring new tricks. Kendama offers endless possibilities for creativity and progression. Be sure to check out more of our tutorials, hit that follow button, and stay tuned for more exciting kendama content. Much love, and peace out!