Five Simple Yo-yo Tricks to Help You Get Started

Yoyos have a long and interesting history. They have been a favorite toy of children since the days of ancient Greece and are considered the second oldest toy in the world. During the 1800s, they were used as a weapon in the Philippines for more than 400 years. They were first manufactured in the United States in the 1920s, and since then more than half a billion have been sold.

Today, yoyos are used by people of all ages, and there are even yo-yo competitions with huge prizes. These toys make a great way to impress your friends and family, give yourself something to do, and even win money. Getting started is easy once you learn a few simple tricks. Begin with the following guide, and you will be well on your way to becoming a master.

THROW DOWN

Many tricks start with the throw down, so it is the first basic maneuver you must learn. Hold the yoyo in the palm of your hand, with the string around your middle finger and your fingers curled around the outer edge. Your palm should be facing upward, and the yo yo should be wound so that it swings away from you when thrown. Bend your arm so that the yo yo is behind your shoulder, then throw it forward. As you throw, flick your wrist so that the yo yo swings up, then forward and down; this will keep it from swinging to one side or getting twisted. When your yo yo reaches the end of its string, turn your hand, tug it quickly upward and catch the yo yo in your palm.

SLEEPER

The sleeper forms the foundation of many different yo-yo tricks, and over 90% of all tricks use some form of it. It begins in the same manner as the throw down. The yo yo is held and thrown in the same way, but at the end of the throw, the arm remains in an outstretched position. If you have thrown it right, the yo yo should spin at the end of the string for several seconds. When you are ready to catch, turn your hand gently around and give your wrist a slight upward tug, allowing the yo yo to return to your hand.

FORWARD PASS

Many looping tricks start with a forward pass. To begin, hold your yoyo in your hand as if you were going to perform a throw down. Instead of lifting your arm over your shoulder, however, hold it down to your side with your palm facing backwards. Next, swing your arm forward and let go of the yo yo. When it reaches the end of its string, give it a small tug and turn your hand over so that it returns to your palm.

WALK THE DOG

To walk the dog, you need to first get a really strong sleeper going. As the yo yo is spinning on the end of its string, touch it to the ground and allow it to roll along in front of you. Before it stops rolling, tug it upward back into your hand.

AROUND THE WORLD

The around the world trick begins with a forward pass. However, instead of turning your wrist around and giving the yo yo a tug, continue the forward swing so that it moves all the way around in a circle on the end of its string. When it gets back to its starting place, you can then return it to your hand.