How to Hide Sponge Balls from Any Angle

Most people just "put" a sponge ball in their hand and hope nobody notices the secret. If someone stands to your side or looks too closely at your fingers, they see the ball. This lesson changes that. You'll learn how to keep the ball hidden even if your fingers are spread apart or people are watching from the side. You'll be able to show the ball until the very last second before it vanishes, making the magic look like a real special effect.

How Xulio Teaches These Moves

Xulio breaks down these techniques by showing you exactly where the ball sits in your hand. He doesn't just tell you to "hide it"; he shows you how to use the natural folds of your palm to create a hidden pocket. You'll see the moves from his perspective and at slow speeds so you can follow along with your own sponge balls. He even explains how to use your other hand as a "screen" to keep the secret safe during a vanish.

Is This Right For You?

This is for anyone who knows the basics of sponge balls but wants to look more professional. You don't need huge hands or years of experience. If you can already do a basic finger palm, you're ready for this. It will take a few afternoons of practice in front of a mirror to get the timing right, especially for the visual retention vanishes where the audience sees a "flash" of the ball before it disappears.

About Xulio Merino

Xulio Merino is known for making sponge ball magic look impossible. He even fooled Penn & Teller on their show Fool Us using these exact types of techniques. He is an expert at taking simple props and making them look like real magic.

What You'll Learn

• The Thumb Palm: How to use "folds" to hide the ball from every angle.
• The Two-Fold Technique: A way to make the ball invisible even if you have gaps between your fingers.
• Kaps-Style Retention: How to show a flash of color until the very last moment of a vanish.
• The Pinch False Deposit: A visual vanish you can do while keeping your hand open.
• Delicate Extraction: A "steal" that lets you secretly take the ball without needing a magic wand.
• The Wrist Move: How to have a spectator hold your arm while you secretly steal the ball.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if I have "windows" (gaps) between my fingers?
Xulio specifically teaches the thumb palm to solve this. Using the "fold" method keeps the ball tucked away where no one can see it through your fingers, even if they aren't pressed together.

How long until I can do this for people?
You can learn the mechanics in about 10 minutes, but you'll want to practice the "retention" timing for a few days. You want the vanish to look smooth so the audience believes the ball is still there.

Do I need special sponge balls?
Any standard sponge balls will work. Xulio shows how to compress them so they fit perfectly in the palm and "pop" into place.

Is this harder than a normal vanish?
It takes a bit more coordination than a basic "fake take," but it looks much better. Because the audience actually sees the ball in your hand right before it's gone, they won't suspect you ever moved it.