Things You'll Need
Instructions
Learn the basic pyramid stack movement which is the foundation of all other more complex stacks, and is appropriately called the "3 stack". Set up by placing 3 cups upside down on top of each other on a table or other flat surface. Lift up the top cup with your right hand then place it down next to the stack. Lift up the middle cup (which is now the top cup) and place it on top of both remaining cups so that it balances, forming a three cup pyramid. This is called "up stacking". Practice doing so with a timer to gauge your speed.
Disassemble the "up stack" by grasping the the top cup with your right hand while simultaneously grasping the left bottom cup with your left hand. Move your right hand several inches to the right, and drop the top cup onto the right bottom cup. After that is complete, raise your left hand and drop that cup onto the top of the middle (which now is two stacked cups). You should now have 3 cups stacked one on top of each other. This is called "down stacking". Practice doing so with a timer to gauge your speed.
Try the "3-3" stack next. This is done by placing two groups of three cups each on the table side by side. So really, it is just two "3-stacks" side by side. "Up-stack" the left cups, then "up-stack" the right cups. Next, "down-stack" the left cups, then "down-stack" the right cups. Time yourself while doing the moves.
Further your skill set by using three stacks side by side. This is called the "3-3-3" stack and is the benchmark for competition. All moves are performed in the same manner as the "3 stack" and the "3-3 stack".