The Shuttle Pass
How the Shuttle Pass Swaps the Ball
You’re showing a friend a red sponge ball. You toss it into your left hand, but when you open your fingers, the ball has turned blue—or doubled into two. To pull that off, you need a way to swap balls without anyone seeing. The Shuttle Pass lets you secretly switch a ball you're hiding for one the audience can see, all while making a natural tossing motion.
How the Lesson is Structured
This is a focused, two-minute breakdown of the move. Xulio shows you the starting grip, the specific point where the two balls touch, and how to follow through so your hands look relaxed. He explains the "why" behind the hand positions so you don't just mimic him, but actually understand how the deception works.
Is the Shuttle Pass Hard to Learn?
If you can hold a sponge ball in your palm, you can do this. It’s a 40/100 difficulty, meaning it’s perfect for beginners who want to move past basic tricks. The main challenge is coordination—turning both hands at the exact same time. Once you get that timing down, you can watch yourself in a mirror and even you won't see the swap happen. You can master the mechanics in a single afternoon while sitting on the couch.
About Xulio Merino
Xulio Merino is the magician who fooled Penn & Teller with nothing but sponge balls. He’s known for taking "beginner" props and turning them into professional-level miracles. He doesn't just teach you the move; he teaches you how to make it look like real magic.
What's Included
- The "thumb on top" grip for a natural-looking toss
- Using your fingernail to guide the ball into position
- How to coordinate both hands to turn at the same time
- Moving the hidden ball into a relaxed finger palm
- A simple drill you can do while watching a movie
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I do this with other objects?
Yes. This move was originally designed for coins, but it works even better with sponge balls because they are easier to grip and hide.
Do I need to know other moves first?
It helps if you’ve seen the Vernon false deposit, but Xulio explains the Shuttle Pass clearly enough that you can learn it even if this is your first sponge ball move.
How do I know if I'm doing it right?
The key is the "simultaneous turn." If your hands move at different times, the swap is obvious. Xulio shows you exactly how to line up the motion so it looks like a simple transfer.
What size sponge balls do I need?
This works with any standard sponge ball size. If you can comfortably hide one in your hand, you're good to go.