Roller-Coaster

Rollercoaster to string (spintop: customized Hollow Point)

Rollercoaster close-up (spintop: Duncan Ripcord)

Rollercoaster to hand (spintop: customized Hollow Point)

Description:
Roller-coaster to hand
With the top on the throwing hand, place the string across the tip on the outside and let the top fall to the side catching the string (like in merry-go-round). Feed the string with the non-throwing hand as the top slides down the string. Seen from above the top performs a circular arc. It should slide down to about the middle of the string by the time it completes half a circle. At that moment, pull swiftly with the throwing hand so the top pops into the air and lands back on that hand. Done correctly, the jerk regenerates the spin by the friction of the string and the tip.

Roller-coaster to string
This is the same trick but after popping the top into the air catch it on the string with a lasso (i.e. by a sweep of the string with the throwing hand). Because no energy is lost by spinning on the hand, it is easier to obtain regeneration and it is much preferred to RC to hand. However, it requires developing a consistent lasso.

Advice:
Use the non-throwing hand to adjust the effect of the jerk. By moving that hand to the outside just before the jerk the string will cross somewhat at the tip, increasing the friction. That move also makes the top pop more upright. Remember: pull fast!

First learn the general mechanics of the trick (drop, slide, pop) which are not difficult. You should be able to do around 5 rollercoasters to hand from a boomerang throw without regenerating. Then you have two options: a) try to extend the number of rollercoasters to hand, learning to regenerate by adjusting the position of the top and the timing of the jerk; or b) learn to lasso consistently from the pop, worrying about regeneration later. Use a heavier top to learn, such as the Hollow Point.

Notes:
This is probably the first regeneration trick you will learn and it can be frustrating but well worth the effort.

Heavier and larger tops are generally easier to regenerate. There are several reasons for this: 1) they spin at a slower rate so it is easier to achieve a string velocity greater that the speed at the surface of the tip groove (i.e., friction force accelerates top); 2) they precess slower so there is more time to do the trick; 3) they have greater inertia against which you can apply more pull; 4) they are easier to catch with a lasso. Good tops are (starting from the best) the Hollow Point, Trompo (Spintastics), Gates (YoyoJam, discontinued) and the Rip Cord (Duncan).

Some players lean the top quite a bit while doing rollercoaster to string, so the catch is almost like that of sewing machine. This facilitates the lasso, especially for mixing in some behind-the-back catches (or doing the whole RC behind the back). However, I prefer to pop the top upright for normal rollercoaster: I think it looks better and makes the trick more distinct.

Important: the string can make a big difference. A string too soft is bad. Use a new, clean string!

History/Etymology:
This is a classic trick (RC to hand was on the 1960's Duncan trick list). I guess the name comes from the spintop sliding down the string and from the general thrill of the trick.