Yoyo is a classic toy that looks simple but is quite difficult to play. It takes special skills and dexterity, as well as careful hand coordination to play the yo-yo successfully. However, with practice, you will master how to play a yo-yo in no time, and turn this simple game into an extraordinary attraction. Get started with Step 1 below to find out which yoyo is right for you, how to play it, and how to do basic tricks with it.
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Part 1 of 3: Getting to Know Your Yoyo
Step 1. Choose the right yoyo among the various options
Since the yoyo has been around for thousands of years (only slightly changed from its version in ancient Greece), there have been several different types of yoyos created and each one has a different purpose and use:
- Yoyo imperial. This is the classic round yoyo. You use it to do the “loop” trick, with the yoyo never stopping but moving back into your hand while producing a loop that never breaks with the string.
- Yoyo butterfly. The shape is the same as the name suggests, big on the outside and small on the inside (like a pair of wings). This type of yoyo is good for doing rope tricks, which are tricks in which the player creates intertwined nets with the rope.
- Automatic yoyo. Manufacturers Yomega a few years ago started the trend of automatic yoyos: yoyos that can “sleep” (stop at the bottom end of the rope while continuing to spin) and “wake up” (moves back into your hand) on their own. This yoyo is good too, but actually it's like playing with cheats. If you really want to do the trick yourself, don't use an automatic yoyo.
- Yoyo with separate strap. It's exactly what the name suggests, i.e. the straps are separate. It's technically a yoyo, but it's actually a cool disc that bounces off the string when you move it. This type of yo-yo is usually only used by yo-yo players in serious matches.
Step 2. Know the length of your yo-yo strap
Hold the yo-yo and let it fall until it hangs on the end of the rope above the floor. What is the height of the rope span? If it's around your belly button, that's fine. If it's taller, just cut off the excess. It's just a rope. If the rope is too long, you won't be able to do any tricks with it!
Cut the string a few inches above your belly button so you can make a loop for your finger. Then, make a small loop and tie it at the base of the rope, just large enough to go around your finger. You can also recreate the circle as big as the circle you just cut
Step 3. Check your yoyo drive system again
In other words, you have to disassemble your yoyo. Chances are, you can twist both sides of the yo-yo until it splits into two separate pieces. Yo-yo straps are usually attached around the center, but now yo-yos are equipped with a drive system (if your yo-yo doesn't have one, you can't do any tricks with it). This means that the rope loops around the center (you can see the silver part and maybe some metal circles), and based on the principles of physics, the yo-yo can spin around the end of the rope without ever stopping. This will allow you to perform various awesome tricks!
Step 4. Master how to roll your yoyo
Sometimes, your yo-yo lacks cooperation and you have to roll the strings yourself. Do not worry! This is completely normal. Just hold the yo-yo with your non-dominant hand, with your index finger across the yo-yo. Roll the string around the yo-yo and your index finger once. Then loop the string two or three times under your index finger, creating a loop. Lift your index finger and roll it up as usual. Initially the circle will remain visible, but will disappear immediately when you make the first throw.
After the first throw, everything will return to normal. So when you try this first throw, make sure that you pull it back up
Part 2 of 3: Understanding Yoyo Game Basics
Step 1. Slide the loop of the rope grip on your middle finger
It is best to place this circle at the joint of the first finger, near the tip of the finger. If you place it at the base of your finger, you'll have a hard time turning this circle around your hand later.
Turn your palms into an open position, with the yo-yo in your palms. Hold that yo-yo. This is the position you should have almost every time you finish any movement
Step 2. Push your hands down, release the yo-yo, and spread your fingers apart
Position your fingertips slightly downward as you throw the yo-yo down, while turning your palms on the floor and tapping the yo-yo to move the yo-yo back up again.
For a more basic movement, start with your palms on your stomach. Then with an upward movement of the hand and fingers extended, release the yo-yo. With this variation, you don't have to worry about turning your palms (but your yo-yo will move slower)
Step 3. Tap the yo-yo sharply when the string is stretched to the maximum, so that the yo-yo moves back up
You just need to turn your palms toward the floor before doing this kick. It is this part of the movement that makes it so important to position the loop of the rope grip near your fingertips.
Your hands should make smooth jerking movements. The Yoyo will land in your hands, returning completely to you. You don't need to grip it tightly or try to catch it, just leave your arm in that position
Step 4. Repeat
This is the basic movement in playing yo-yo. Pretty easy, right? But there's actually a lot more you can do! Once you can feel the rhythm, identify the required pace, and know the position of your hands, arms, and wrists, you can move forward to learning to perform tricks. Keep reading!
Part 3 of 3: Doing Tricks
Step 1. Throw the yo-yo firmly until it is in a "sleep" position
This is the first step to performing a rope trick, most of which involve a "sleeping" yoyo position, i.e. the yoyo simply rotates at the end of the rope (sometimes for a few minutes). The main idea is to push the yoyo outward and hold it in place so that it doesn't move back toward you for as long as you want. The yo-yo will "float" on the floor and rotate freely. Here are the basic techniques:
- While holding the yoyo in your hand, make a bodybuilder-like motion by bringing your hands to your shoulders. The palm of your hand should stay up as you pull the yo-yo up in a straight stroke, then release the yo-yo firmly while extending your arms. Make sure that you do it as hard as you can, because otherwise the yo-yo will snap back at you without having a chance to "fall asleep".
- Difficult? Maybe it's because you're stomping wrongly when you're trying to make a quick move. Your jolt when releasing the yo-yo will make the yo-yo "wake up". Concentrate on building your thrust and speed, while keeping your hands and wrists steady. And of course, don't bounce the yoyo!
- Once you're ready to "wake up" the yoyo, turn your palm down and pull on the yo-yo with a gentle thump as usual.
Step 2. Master the forward throw
This move is the move that starts the circle trick. While holding the yo-yo in your hand, position your hands at your sides with your palms down. Swing it back a little to pull it up, then swing the yo-yo forward. When the yoyo reaches the end of the rope, pull it back, twist your hand, and catch the yoyo.
It's important that you understand that this is actually a swinging motion, not a throw or throw, because the shape of the movement is circular. If you just make a throwing or throwing motion, the yo-yo will move outward and then come right back to you, without catching any air at all
Step 3. Try taking the dog for a walk while playing creeper
You didn't think that it was possible to do this at the same time, did you? This is very, very similar to the yoyo "sleep" technique. In fact, if you can "sleep" the yo-yo, you can certainly do this trick too. Three things at once. Here's how:
- Taking a dog for a walk is basically similar to performing the yo-yo "sleeping" technique while walking forward. However, while holding the yo-yo on the floor, move your hands back and forth, so that the yo-yo follows after a second or two (because of the time it takes for momentum to move along the stretched string). This yoyo is like walking, just like a dog being taken for a walk.
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Playing creeper is also actually similar, only it's closer to the floor surface. However, instead of swinging the yo-yo in a straight line, you throw it slightly from behind you, so that the yo-yo swings outward and in front of your body. When the yo-yo reaches the furthest point from your body, pull the yo-yo back and kneel down. The yoyo should now be on the floor in front of you, waiting to be kicked back into your hands that are on the floor and ready to catch it.
- Both of these tricks are much easier to do on a hard surface, such as a concrete or wood floor. Carpet will be very difficult. Not impossible, but much more difficult.
- Both also require the ability to "sleep" a very strong yoyo. If you're having trouble doing this, try focusing on your speed. Your yoyo may have to spin longer on the end of the rope.
Step 4. Do a circular motion
Do you remember the forward throw? It's the same thing, but you're now moving in a full circle around your own body. So, don't jerk the yo-yo back up when the string is stretched to the maximum, but keep the yo-yo down in line with your legs, kick it outwards, then continue to make circular motions with your arms, so that the yo-yo moves around in a large circle. When you want the yo-yo to move back to you, wait until the yo-yo is at a 90-degree angle (perpendicular) to your body, then kick back.
- If the yo-yo falls after reaching its peak position, this means that you are not swinging it less. You must maintain a very small twisting motion at the end of the rope, so that the yo-yo rotates evenly.
- The snapping move is very similar to the looping trick earlier. In fact, both are the same, only this trick is done on the side of your body. Just rotate your arms outward like chicken wings, then continue to make the same movement, and catch the yo-yo when it's at shoulder level.
Tips
- When pushing forward, make sure that the loop of the rope grip is tightly wrapped around your finger, so that the yo-yo doesn't fall out of your hand.
- When turning your palms into a prone position, keep your fingers pointing downwards for as long as possible.
- If you have managed to play the yo-yo very well, try playing two yo-yos at the same time!
