Roundabout Variations

There are many variations of Roundabout, patterns that incorporate Roundabout in larger group patterns, and patterns that are conceptually similar to the traditional Roundabout.

After the standard Roundabout, there are a number of other 3-person patterns that are one-sided with all right-handed manipulations, each followed by a zip, that are good next patterns with only gently increased difficulty.

Chopabout. The chopabout is a longer, more challenging pattern that introduces a new kind of takeout: the chop substitution. When substituting a pass from A to B, the manipulator faces A and steals the pass thrown as a chop and places the other club behind their back to B. A usually needs to prepare for the pass a beat early with a narrow self to then throw the pass as a chop (in a pinch, a reverse spin zap or even a pelf or normal zap will do). The chop is caught with the left hand, upside down, catching the body (or the middle) of the club. The manipulator places the club behind them with the right hand, raising the hand high to make it easy for B to grab; B needs to actively look for the club. The placement is often done blind without looking, but the manipulator usually has enough time to look back to check and improve their placement.

A: 3pB3 33 3pB3 33 3pB3 33 -> B B: 3pA3 33 3pA3 33 3pA3 33 -> A M: SBcz SAlz SAcz SAlz IAv> CA

All spinning in Chopabout is clockwise, including the German turn at the end (as in Roundabout) and on the carry (opposite to Roundabout). The manipulator spins continuously except for the substituted self after the first chop.

Three-count roundabouts. Beyond Nicki's three-count roundabout, there are two classic one-sided, right-handed Roundabout versions based on 6-club three-count.

A: 3pB 3 3 3pB 3 3 -> B B: 3pA 3 3 3pA 3 3 -> A M: SBl z IBl . CBz

In this one, the manipulator intercepts a self, turns around, and passes that intercepted club immediately on the next beat as B with their left hand -- this is very fast for the manipulator.

A: 3pB 3 3 3pB 3 3 -> B B: 3pA 3 3 3pA 3 3 -> A M: CB z SBl z IB

This one is fairly straightforward, except that there is little space to place the club for the substitution, because B throws a left-handed pass at that point. Therefore, the manipulator typically places the substitution from below, even though it is a self.

Champi. Champi is a short, one-sided takeout pattern based on 6-club pass-pass-self that includes a chop.

A: 3pB 3pB 3 3pB 3pB 3 -> B B: 3pA 3pA 3 3pA 3pA 3 -> A M: IB CA z z SAc z

Messing with Roundabout

As many passers know the classic Roundabout so well, there are several more or less silly variations to challenge the pattern.

Long-distance Roundabout. Sometimes used for games, the idea is to start Roundabout at a normal distance but continuously have to move the passers further apart, making the passes longer and longer and requiring the manipulator to cover increasingly long distances.

Tess-about. The idea is to isolate one passer in place and have the pattern move around them. This can accommodate passers who cannot or do not want to walk, and can be an interesting challenge in itself. Usually the isolated passer stands (or sits) in one location but can turn. When the isolated passer would usually wark across the pattern, instead the other two passers walk the opposite direction to move the entire pattern relative to the isolated passer. The sequence is fairly easy to learn and repeats quickly. The general idea can be used to tessify any moving and manipulator pattern.

Clubabout. Instead of isolating a passer, here a club is isolated and the pattern moves around the club. That is, if the club would be passed, it is just thrown straight up, and all passers move relative to the club. Typically the club is isolated only in the direction between the passers, allowing some wiggle room for movement between the left and the right hand; a line on the floor is usually used to indicate the position. The pattern is exceedingly long (192 beats, since each club goes through all positions in Roundabout in a single orbit), but it is a fun and silly exercise to try any segment of it.

See also how to add an extra club or two to roundabout.

4 and 5 Person Patterns based on Roundabout

Two manipulators (4 passers). A simple way to include a fourth passer is to have two manipulators doing the roundabout sequence but in opposite directions.

A: 3pB333 3pB333 -> B B: 3pA333 3pA333 -> A M: SBezSBlz IBv>.CBz N: SAezSAlz IAv>.CAz

Shooting star with Roundabout (5 to 7 passers). A manipulator doing the Roundabout manipulation can be integrated into the moving pattern Shooting star in the version where a passer walks after every other pass with one club. The manipulator simply does the roundabout sequence between A and D, swapping out the target juggler who then does the roundabout sequence on the next segment of the star.

Variations: Additionally or alternatively, additional manipulators can do the roundabout sequence between D and B and between C and A, supporting up to three Roundabout manipulators in the pattern at the same time. Furthermore, in what's called Shooting star with manipulator and chaser, when manipulating between C and A, rather than waiting with two clubs for their last pass, C can follow the manipulator M across the pattern when M substitutes the pass to A and bring M the intercepted pass, to then run to their position on the outside of the circle.

Bounceabout (4 passers). Bounceabout is a fairly easy Roundabout-style pattern for four passers doing a kind of two-count vs. four-count feed in a triangle formation. The takeout sequence is Roundabout-like but two beats longer, substituting a second pass (i.e., bounding off of one corner to the next) before substituting the self and swapping roles.

A: 3pB3 3pC3 3pC3 3pC3 33 -> B B: 3pA3 33 3pA3 33 3pC3 -> C C: 33 3pA3 3pB3 3pA3 3pB3 -> A M SAez SBlz IBv>.CBz SCez