Vertical Phase
How the Vertical Phase Looks
You hold three rings in a vertical chain. You pull the bottom ring straight down, and it melts through the others as if the metal wasn't even there. Then, you take that same ring and slide it up the side of the chain until it pops back onto the top ring.
Why the Vertical Phase Works
The secret is in how you hold the rings and the sound they make. By keeping your fingers over the gap in the key ring, you can move the other rings freely while the audience only sees solid metal. When you slide the rings against each other, the "clinking" sound helps convince everyone that the rings are actually touching until the moment they pass through.
What You'll Learn
You'll learn how to transition from your opening moves into this vertical sequence. Julio shows you a specific "turn" that hides the rings' positions while you get ready. You’ll see exactly where to put your thumb and index finger so you can link and unlink without any fumbling.
This lesson focuses on making the magic look effortless. Instead of just pulling the rings apart, you’ll learn how to use a "rubbing" motion that makes the metal look soft. By the end of this, you’ll be able to link the ring so it looks like it’s climbing up the chain and jumping onto the top ring by itself.
About Julio Ribera
Julio is a master of visual street magic. He has taught thousands of students how to take classic props like the linking rings and make them look modern and clean. He uses these exact moves in his own professional performances to get big reactions from small crowds.
What's Included
- The secret turn to set up the rings
- The vertical drop-through unlinking move
- Finger placement for the "rubbing" position
- The "climbing" vertical link technique
- How to use your index finger to catch the ring secretly
- A clean display to show the rings are linked at the end
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this hard to learn?
This is actually one of the easiest parts of the Ninja Rings routine. The moves are very direct, and you don't need a lot of finger strength to do them.
Do I need a specific size of rings?
This is taught with "Ninja Rings" (usually 4 or 5 inches), but the technique works with any set of linking rings, including large stage rings.
Can people see the gap in the ring?
Julio explains how to angle your hands and use your fingers to cover the gap. If you follow his placement, the rings will look solid from every angle in front of you.
How long does it take to get it smooth?
You can learn the basic move in about ten minutes. To make it look as smooth as Julio, you'll want to practice the "climbing" link in front of a mirror for a few days to get the timing right.