The ribbons, used to make the hoop softer to catch and to support the hoop from coming apart, are alternatingly wrapped all around the hoop, with the ends left hanging off so that they will slow down the hoop's flight.
To soften the hoop and prevent it from breaking apart, ribbons are wrapped in an alternating pattern all over the hoop. The loose ends of these ribbons hang off to slow down the hoop's movement.