After a passing theory workshop by Hoschy (including the theory behind the 27 scrambled V patterns), Rene had the idea to apply the systematic approach applied to the Scrambled V to the classic 4-count Roundabout (sticking to only right-handed manipulations). This lead to 4 + 4 Mini Chopabouts.
Most of these patterns have not been juggled often yet. In 2024 we gave the first workshop at the convention in Neuss and recently one on the EJC 2025. So feel free to find nicer ways to perform the manipulations and to add beautifications.
4 Mini Chopabouts based on the Roundabout's manipulation pattern
The well known Roundabout is a 3 person manipulation pattern with a two person 4-count as base pattern. The manipulator carrys a self to A (cA), zips, substitutes the pass from A to B (sB), zips, substitutes a self of B (sB), zips and intercepts B (iB). Leading to the manipulation sequence cA sB sB iB.
While the self has to be carried to A (cA) and B has to be intercepted (iB), there are four options to perform the two substitutes.
The pass substitue from B to A (sA) is already known from the Chopabout. In the Chopabout, the carry to A is performed using the left hand (which makes the zip after cA unnecessary). Thereafter B throws the pass as chop and the manipulator hands back the club in the right hand to A (chop + hand back).
The Chopabout is a 4-count sequence longer than the Roundabout (12 instead of 8 beats) and has the manipulation sequence cA sA sB sB iB. So the idea was born to create 4 mini Chopabouts by performing the pass substitute on beat 1 as chop + handback. However, the pass substitutes (especially those from A to B) could also be performed as in the Roundabout. This may be easier for beginners. To add an additional chop, the intercepted pass (thrown by A) could be thrown as chop as well.
Mini Chopabout No. 1 - Simon
We found this Mini Chopabout variant to be nice and flowty. The carry and the pass substitute are performed as in the regular Chopabout. Thereafter, the manipulator turns with the handback to A where the self is substituted. Finally, the manipulator is sent back on his or her new position by the intercepted pass thrown by A.
Mini Chopabout No. 2 - Priscilla
The second variant contains the first three manipulations of the Chopabout (cA sA sB).
The self substitute at B can be performed as steal with ice cream (Roundabout out) or as steal replace (as in the Chopabout).
Mini Chopabout No. 3 - Veronika
In this Mini Chopabout, the manipulator does only a half turn (during the carry). The manipulator is sent back to his or her new position by the intercepted pass thrown by A. As the chop on beat 1 is thrown by A and the self substitute is performed at A, the B position is quite boring.
Mini Chopabout No. 4 - Susi
The chopped version of the Roundabout contains the last three manipulations of the Chopabout (sB sB iB).
4 Mini Chopabouts based onbased on a modified manipulation pattern
The Roundabout's manipulation pattern can be shifted by two beats. This means that the manipulator starts with carrying a pass from A to B (cB). The manipulator then substitutes a self (sA or sB) and thereafter a pass (sA or sB). Finally, the manipulator intercepts a self of B (iB). While the pass has to be carried from A to B (cA) and B's self has to be intercepted (iB), there are four options to perform the two substitutes.
The patterns are started with the pass substitute followed by the self intercept at B. B then becomes M.
Mini Chopabout No. 5 - Rene
We recommend to do the carry to B with the left hand, so that no zip is necessary and to smoothly turn right for the self substitute at A. The manipulator turns further right to perform the pass substitute from B to A as chop-handback. Finally, the manipulator intercepts the next self of B and becomes A.
Mini Chopabout No. 6 - Juli
It is again recommended to do the carry to B with the left hand, so that no zip is necessary and to smoothly turn right for the self substitute at A. The manipulator stays in front of A for the pass substitute from A to B as chop-handback. Finally, the manipulator turns to B to intercept the next self of B and to become A.
Mini Chopabout No. 7 - Jan
The carry is performed as usual (with the right hand followed by a zip). The manipulator stays in front of B for the steal replace and the pass substitute from B to A (chop-handback). Thus, the manipulator does only need to do a half turn, when he or she intercepts the self of B.
Mini Chopabout No. 8 - Hoschy
The carry is performed as usual (with the right hand followed by a zip). The manipulator stays in front of B for the steal replace and then turns to A for the pass substitute from A to B. The manipulator turns with the handback right to B to intercept the self.