(Stray) observations:
- This may be the most overlooked aspect, but string length is of utmost importance. Gotta get it ideal. e.g. Too long a string can add 1 or 2 secs to the pull-up candlestick, or even earth turn.
I think you are overestimating, by a large margin. And anyway, whatever you have decided is your optimum string length for general play is probably the best length for STB too.
- String tension is also crucial. Tangled string can punish you anywhere between 2-7 seconds.
True, but... Obvious? Don't start with a twisted string.
- The more time your tama / ken is spent in the air, the more time you'll lose.
True.
- For Around Japan / World / Europe, i highly recommend starting from the small cup. The progression is more natural (in a circle), thus faster.
True
- Transitioning between tricks is an art, it seems. At places where your playing hand switches between the tama and ken, especially after the 1st and 7th trick, time can be lost fiddling with strings, ken, etc. Experiment the fastest ways to transition out.
Yes!
- Just before the tama touches the sarado (during a spike), i quickly "bounce" the tama out to gain some microseconds.
Hmmm. Well, "just after", not "just before". Maybe. Or "have the other hand ready to remove the tama instantly" - that's what I see the top Japanese players doing.
- The same can also be done with the last trick. It's basically a lighthouse insta-spike kinda thing.
Well, there's a huge trade-off between speed and control there. I'd rather take 1-2 seconds to get a controlled drop, rather than making a wild one and hoping it's good, and that I don't have to start from the LH again.
Ultimately, I think azleonhart has taken the approach of "considering the factors of each individual element of STB", which is the smart thing to do. There are fractions of seconds to be saved in many places. Think about ALL of your movements.
Plus "try not to miss".
