A yo-yo is a classic toy that is simple in appearance but in fact rather difficult to control at best. It takes dexterity and agility as well as careful hand coordination to successfully maneuver a yo-yo. But with practice, you can become a master in no time at all by taking something that simple and taking it into the extraordinary. Start with the first step to know which yo-yo to choose, how to make it work, and how to do simple tricks.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Getting to know your Yo-Yo
Step 1. Choose from the types of yo-yos
Since yo-yos have been around for literally thousands of years (they've changed a bit since ancient Greek times), a few different types have emerged and they all follow slightly different purposes:
- Imperial yo-yo. This is the classic circular shape. They are suitable for "loop" tricks - where the yo-yo does not hang but systematically returns to your hand as you circle the rope.
- Yo-yo butterfly. They are just the shape the name implies - wider on the outside, narrower on the inside (like wings). They are great for rope tricks, where the yo-yoist creates intricate webs woven with the rope.
- Automatic yo-yos. The Yomega started the automatic yo-yo craze several years ago: yo-yos that could "go sleeper" (stay at the end of the lanyard, spinning) and "wake up" (return to your hand) on their own. They are fine, but it's a bit like cheating. If you want to do your own tricks, you don't want an automatic yo-yo.
- Untied yo-yo. They are exactly what they seem - unattached. It's technically a yo-yo… but it's more fantastic grooved record bouncing off a string as you manipulate it. It is generally best suited for very serious and very competitive yo-yoists.
Step 2. Know the length of your lanyard
Keep your yo-yo taut so that it hangs from the string just above the floor. Where is the rope in relation to your body? If it's at navel level, you can go. If it's longer, cut it off. It's just rope, after all. If it's too long, you won't be able to do anything interesting with it!
Cut the cord a couple of inches above the navel to allow space to create a new ring. Then make a knotted loop at the end large enough for the middle finger to pass through OR simply recreate the size of the ring you cut
Step 3. Check your yo-yo's bearing system
In other words, open your yo-yo. Chances are you can separate the two halves. Previously yo-yos had the lanyard tied around the center, but now they have a bearing system (if your yo-yo doesn't have any, tricks will probably be impossible). It means that the string is just wrapped around the center (you will see a piece of silver and maybe some metal balls. This leaves a lot of room to do a lot of cool tricks!
Step 4. Learn how to wrap your yo-yo
There will be a time when your yo-yo just doesn't cooperate and you'll have to wrap it up yourself. Don't panic! It is absolutely normal. Simply hold the yo yo in your non-lead hand with your index finger along the yo yo. Wrap the string around the yo-yo and your finger once. Then wrap the string two or three times under your finger (creating a loop). Remove your finger and wrap normally. There will be a ring at the beginning but it will return to normal on the first roll.
After a toss, it will return to normal. So when you take your first pull, be sure to re-yank it back to you
Part 2 of 3: Understanding the Basics
Step 1. Thread the ring into your yo-yo's lanyard on your middle finger
It is best to keep it on the first phalanx, near the tip of the finger. If it is at the base of the finger, it will be difficult to get the string around your hand.
Turn your hand palm up, with the yo-yo in the palm. Now hold it still. This is the position you will almost always return to
Step 2. Push your arm down, releasing the yo-yo and opening your fingers
Point them slightly down as you toss the yo yo down, rotating your palm toward the floor to pull the yo yo up.
For a more basic movement, start with the palm facing down. Then with an upward motion of the arm and extension of the fingers, release the yo-yo. With this variation, you don't have to worry about turning your palm (but you'll have less speed)
Step 3. Give a strong snap when the yo-yo is fully extended to pull it back
It is only just before the shot that you have to turn your palm towards the floor. It is this part of the move that makes it important that the string is close to the tip of the finger.
Your hand should only give a slight shake. The yo-yo will then land in your hand, returning to you 100% of the distance. There will be no need to try to grab it or look to grab it - just keep your arm where it is
Step 4. Repeat
This is the basic yo-yo movement. Simple, huh? But there are so many other things you can do! Once you are familiar with the necessary speed and how to position your hands, you can move on to the tricks. Keep reading!
Part 3 of 3: Doing Tricks
Step 1. Launch a stable sleeper
This is the first step in doing tricks with the lanyard - most tricks require a yo-yo in a "sleeper": a yo-yo that is only spinning at the end of the lanyard (sometimes for minutes and minutes). The idea is to throw the yo-yo and keep it from going back up until you want it. Swing above the floor, turning freely. Here are the basics:
- With the yo-yo in hand, do a bodybuilder pose, bringing your hand towards your shoulder. Your palm should look up as you wrap, give it a direct snap, and release the yo-yo forcefully, extending your arm. Make sure you do it very hard or the yo-yo will come right back into your palm, never going to sleep.
- Are you having difficulty? Chances are it's because you're yanking your hand trying to get all that speed. That tug you have on release forces him to wake up. Focus on having strength and speed, but keeping your hand and wrist stable. And absolutely do not bounce!
- When you're ready to wake him up, rotate your palm down and give him a gentle upward pull, as usual.
Step 2. Refine the step forward
This is the forerunner of looped tricks. With the yo-yo in hand, keep your hand at your hip with the palm down. Twist back a little to wrap, and then throw the yo-yo forward. When it reaches the end of the lanyard, pull back, turn your hand and grab.
It is important that you see it as a swing and not as a toss or tug; there is a very circular gesture in the whole. If you yank or throw it, it will simply lie down and come back to you, not getting any air
Step 3. Begin to walk the dog and creeper
These two figures are very very similar to the sleeper. In fact, if you can do the sleeper, you can do these tricks too, it's almost a three-in-one package. Here's how to get started:
- To carry the dog you are basically just doing the sleeper while walking forward. However, as you hold it towards the floor, bring your hand forward and then back, forcing the yo-yo to follow this movement just a second or two later (as the momentum moves up the string). This gives the illusion that the yo-yo is also walking, like a dog.
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The creeper has the same feeling, only closer to the earth. However, instead of throwing it straight, throw it a little behind you, almost wrapping it up a bit to bring it back in front of you. When it reaches the farthest point behind you, bring it back forward and kneel. The yo-yo should now be on the ground in front of you, ready to be picked up by your hand that is on the ground ready to retrieve it.
- For both of these tricks it is much, much easier if you are standing on solid ground, such as a wooden or concrete floor. Carpets make things more difficult. Not impossible, but difficult.
- Both tricks also need a very, very stable sleeper. If you're having trouble, try focusing on speed. The yo-yo may need to spin longer on the end of the lanyard.
Step 4. Do an "around the world"
Remember the step forward? It's the same idea, only you'll make a whole circle around you. So instead of yanking the yo-yo at you as you see it extend in front of you, you will hold it down near your leg, throw it out, and continue with a twisting motion of your arm, forcing the yo-yo to "go around the leg". world ", or the circle around a large circle. When you are ready to turn it back, wait until the yo yo reaches a 90 degree angle and pull it back.
- If the yo-yo is "falling" after reaching the top, you are not swinging enough. You need to keep a very tight circular motion at your end of the lanyard to make it spin smoothly.
- The "breakaway" move is similar to around the world. In fact, it's pretty much the same trick, but next to you. Simply swing your arm to the side like a chicken wing and proceed in the same motion, then grab the yo-yo when it is at shoulder height.
Advice
- When you turn your hand palm down, keep your fingers low as you do this.
- When you get very good, try to do two at a time!
- When pushing forward, make sure you have a firm grip on the ring so the yo-yo doesn't fly out of your hand.
