The “sleeper” is a yo-yo technique that is used as the basis for making even more complicated moves. In a basic sleeper you pull it yo-yo to the ground, spin it on itself once it reaches the end of the string, and then return it to your hand. Although the sleeper is not difficult compared to much more complicated moves, since it is a basic skill, it is a very important step that any yo-yo player should learn to perform before moving on to more complex techniques. Start from the first step to find out everything there is to know!
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Run a Basic Sleeper
Step 1. Get a good quality yo-yo
Compared to other moves, the sleeper is pretty easy. Most decent quality basic yo-yos should be able to play a sleeper with no problem. With some “toy” yo-yos, however, that are poorly constructed, it may be absolutely impossible to perform a sleeper. If you have such a yo-yo, buy a higher quality model so you can confidently perform the sleeper and any other moves you want to try.
While certain yo-yos can be expensive, most won't cost more than € 10-20. For a stronger rotation, consider purchasing a model with metal inserts or with integrated bearings; the excess weight will make the yo-yo more comfortable to rotate, making the sleeper as long as possible
Step 2. Master the gravity throw before trying your hand at the sleeper
The sleeper starts in almost the same way as the basic move called gravity throw, so it's very important to master this simple technique before trying your hand at the sleeper. The gravity throw sounds complicated by the name, but it really isn't; it is the simple "up and down" movement that almost anyone can do with a yo-yo. Although this is not a particularly difficult move, learning the right technique will make learning the sleeper much easier.
To perform a gravity throw, hold the yo-yo with your dominant hand, turning it upwards. Make a movement as if to bend the bicep, then lower your forearm and let the yo-yo fall. Turn your hand to grab the yo-yo as soon as it reaches the bottom of the string and bounces upwards
Step 3. Hold the yo-yo with your hand facing up
To perform a sleeper, start just like you would for a gravity throw. Wrap the yo-yo string softly around the middle finger of your dominant hand. Hold it in the palm of your hand, so that the thinnest part rests on your skin. Support it with your fingers, without squeezing too much. Extend your hand in front of you, keeping your elbow bent and facing your body.
Step 4. Drop the yo-yo
Perform a movement similar to flexing your biceps, bending your hand and forearm towards your shoulders. To add power, you can raise your elbow so it's parallel to the floor (or beyond). In a loose motion, lower your forearm and hand and drop the yo-yo, throwing it towards the ground. The movement must be fast and powerful, yet fluid at the same time. The harder you throw the yo-yo, the more it will spin.
- Turn your hand so that your palm is facing the floor after throwing the yo-yo, so you can exert more control on the string and eventually grab the yo-yo when it returns (this should be a natural movement).
- Don't hold the yo-yo too tight; keep a soft grip when casting. You're trying to roll the yo-yo out of your hands, to get it straight to the ground. If your grip is too tight, the yo-yo may fall diagonally rather than straight down when you launch, giving the sleeper a wobbly motion and a "pendulum" effect.
Step 5. Try to keep the yo-yo straight as it rolls
Unlike gravity throw, you don't want the yo-yo to go back up after throwing it; let it get to the bottom of the rope. The yo-yo should start spinning smoothly at the bottom of the string. It should generally stay straight while rolling without any particular effort on your part, but if your initial strike isn't firm enough or the string is wrapped too tightly, the yo-yo may start to wobble. In this case, it may be advisable to gently pull the yo-yo in the opposite direction to prevent it from losing its balance.
Step 6. Give the yo-yo a little flick to get it back up
Congratulations! You just ran 90% of a sleeper. Now all you have to do is “awaken the yo-yo” (ie, return it to your hand). For most of the basic models, all that is needed is to give it a small, but firm, upward stroke. The yo-yo should go up the rope and return to your hands. If the yo-yo doesn't seem to have the "strength" to go up the rope, try throwing it harder to make it spin more. Grab it as soon as it reaches the top of the rope and you have completed your move!
Some modern yo-yos (especially the more expensive models) sacrifice the ability to return in exchange for a longer and smoother spinning ability. If you have a yo-yo of this type, it may be difficult, if not impossible, to retrieve the yo-yo simply by hitting it upwards. Instead, you will need to use a special technique called "bind" to generate enough friction and make the yo-yo go up the string. Read on for more information
Method 2 of 3: Perfect the Sleeper
Step 1. Hold the yo-yo correctly
With just a few minor changes you can change the way you hold the yo-yo, making the difference between a so-and-so sleeper that freezes after ten seconds and a sleeper that can rotate for more than a minute. For best results, try to adopt a soft grip on the yo-yo, holding it with your middle, index, ring finger and thumb before throwing it. Wrap your fingers under the yo-yo and place your thumb on the back side to stabilize it. Keep your wrist soft before and during the cast; it should move freely, regardless of the forearm.
To make a better sleeper, make sure the string is on the "outer" edge of the yo-yo, instead of inside. In other words, you want the yo-yo string to wrap around the top of the yo-yo, rather than the bottom. This will allow the yo-yo to roll smoothly out of your hand once launched. On the other hand, if the string were to wrap backwards around the yo-yo, the added tension could make the sleeper a little "wobbly" or tilted
Step 2. Perform a powerful throw
As noted above, in general, the harder you pull the yo-yo, the faster and longer it will rotate. For a basic sleeper, you probably won't need the yo-yo spinning that much, but by switching to more complicated techniques, you may need to be able to rely on a spin time of a minute or more. For this reason, it is useful to get used to throwing the yo-yo with a certain power right away. However, it doesn't matter how hard you throw the yo-yo, it's even more important to use the right technique to keep it under control; in other words, always use the soft flexion motion of the bicep described above.
As an example of what is possible with a good throwing technique, more experienced yo-yo players with a good quality yo-yo can perform sleeper rolls that rotate for over 10 minutes. It seems that some professionals can reach a rotation time of over 30 minutes
Step 3. "Cushions" the landing of the yo-yo
You may have noticed that, at times, the yo-yo tends to go up the string while trying to perform a sleeper, even without having pulled it upwards. It happens when the yo-yo reaches the end of the rope and, having been pulled too hard, bounces upwards, climbing the rope again. To avoid this problem, try to give the yo-yo a gentle stroke before it reaches the end of the string. This will relax it a little bit, making the yo-yo reach the bottom with less power and reducing the chances of an upward bounce.
It can be difficult to understand the timing required to perform this technique perfectly, so train a lot. For best results, you may want to try to give the yo-yo a "gentle" tug just before it reaches the bottom of the rope, when it is about three-quarters of the way down
Step 4. Learn the “bind” technique to bring the yo-yo back up
As mentioned before, some professional yo-yos are built to deliberately sacrifice their ability to climb the rope to make it easier to perform advanced moves. If you have such a yo-yo, you will need to learn how to perform a special move called a bind, to get the yo-yo back up to your hands after a sleeper. The main purpose of this technique is to make a small loop with the rope as it charges, thus creating enough friction for the yo-yo to "grab" the rope and start climbing. To bind:
- Start by doing an ordinary sleeper. Use your free hand to grab the string a few inches above the rotating yo-yo.
- Continue to hold the string, moving the yo-yo under the fingers of your free hand. In this way you should find yourself with the yo-yo spinning at the lowest point of a check formed by the two parts of the string.
- Gently pull the string connected to the throwing hand, so as to bring the yo-yo closer to the fingers of the free hand holding the doubled string section.
- When the yo-yo is close enough, let go of your free hand. The rope should collect on its own and the yo-yo should rise up to your hand.
Method 3 of 3: Switch to More Advanced Moves
Step 1. Try walking the dog
As already mentioned, more experienced yo-yo players perform the sleeper as a simple part of a more complicated move, not as a stand-alone move. Once you have mastered the basics of the sleeper, you may want to study some of these more advanced techniques to expand your repertoire. For example, the "walking the dog" move is of medium level and includes a basic sleeper, in which the yo-yo will be lowered to the ground until it "touches" the floor. Once on the ground, the yo-yo should roll forward, just like a dog on a leash! Tug on the yo-yo so that it returns to your hands to finish the move.
Step 2. Try rocking the baby
This move involves making a "cradle" with the rope and swinging the yo-yo through it, just like a miniature pendulum. To rock the baby:
- Start with a basic sleeper. One free hand to pull the string between the forefinger and thumb of the throwing hand, just as if you were shooting an arrow. This will create a rather loose loop.
- Use the fingers of your free hand to spread the loop, then lower your hand to turn the shape vertically. The spinning yo-yo should swing back and forth through the gap in the noose.
- Let go of the rope and pull the yo-yo to get it back in your hands.
Step 3. Try an “around the world”
Around the world is perhaps one of the oldest and best known moves, in which the yo-yo is swung in a large vertical circle, similar to a Ferris wheel. To perform an around the world:
- Start with a modified sleeper in front of you (rather than towards the floor), with a move called a “forward pass”. Holding the yo-yo with your hand next to you, bring your arm forward while rotating your wrist, allowing the yo-yo to roll.
- When the yo-yo has reached the end of the rope, pull it behind you, passing behind your head, in one smooth motion. Have the yo-yo complete a full circle or, if you feel confident, have it do another "round" around the world.
- When you're ready to stop, wait for the yo-yo to come in front of you, then yank it and then grab it.
Step 4. Try a brain twister
This intimidating move can take quite a bit of practice, but once perfected it will be absolutely effective. To do it:
- Start by placing the yo-yo in the same tick-shaped string structure as the "bind".
- Move your free hand to the opposite side of the spear hand. Pull the string back with the forefinger of the throwing hand, then lift it and pass the yo-yo over both hands.
- Have the yo yo move away from you, then return to under your hands. You can stop or keep spinning it.
- When you are done, return the yo yo to its starting position and let it rise.
- At each turn, the ropes will roll up around the index finger of the throwing hand. Direct your finger at the yo-yo as you lift it up, allowing the string to loosen without blocking the yo-yo's movement.
