How to Use a Yo-yo

Using a yo-yo is a time-honored tradition, and it's a game that has kept children (and adults) entertained for hours since its introduction in the 1920s. A yo-yo is made from two disks of equal size, equal material and equal weight. They are connected in the middle by an axle, one that is firmly connected to each disk and doesn't rotate. The length of the axle determines how thin the gap is that separates the two disks. When you toss a yo-yo, its body spins as the string unwinds. It is a lot of fun but it can be frustrating if you don't know how to use it in the right way. Step by step, you will learn how to use (and play with) a yo-yo.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Yo-yo
• String
• Scissors

1. To start, you want to measure the length of your yo-yo string. It should measure from the floor to the height of your belly button. Measure the length three inches above your belly button, then fold the string over to tie an overhead knot that will serve as the yo-yo loop. Cut off the excess string with scissors, and you are all set! Now the challenge begins.

2. For starting position, you want to put your finger through the loop that was made at the end of the string. Grasp the yo-yo as you also grab the string. Suddenly, you want to thrust the body of the yo-yo downwards in a smooth, light motion. When reaching the end of the string, you want to employ a trick to return the body to its circled string. By a mere calculated twist of your wrist, the yo-yo can then return to the player's hand with the chord completely twisting itself back around and into place.

3. Generally, any movement--or combination of movements--that gets the yo-yo back to start position is considered a yo-yo trick. Yo-yo tricks are so numerous that there have been books and full websites written about them. One of the coolest tricks in yo-yo-ing is called looping. In that scenario, you keep the yo-yo moving freely back and forth, without it ever staying stagnant.

4. Around the world. One of the coolest yo-yo tricks is called "Around the World." Doing this merely takes a bit of focus. Give yourself an open space of five feet. Take the yo-yo and put it at your side. In a sudden movement, throw the yo-yo forward. It will get to the end of the string quite quickly. As soon as it does, without hesitation, swing it in motion. Let the yo-yo complete a circle around your body. As soon as it finishes, quickly pull the string to make the yo-yo come back to your hand and to starting position. You can repeat this several times in succession for a really cool trick to show others.

5. Practice. Those who are entertaining with yo-yo tricks have practiced often. It will become second-nature (to the point that you are creating your own tricks) once you have practiced the ideas in these steps.

Tips & Warnings

• Make sure to give yourself a lot of space for performing yo-yo tricks.
• For maximum fun, get a yo-yo partner. Find one of your friends who would like to try it out, and practice together.
• Repeat the tricks often do that you are in control of them and know what to expect when asked to show someone your skills.
• Be careful to not hurt those around you (or fragile things around you) when playing yo-yo. It's best to play in a wide open space.
• Don't give up if a trick seems hard at first. It takes playing around with your control of the yo-yo to understand how to do each trick in a way that works for you.

Resources

• A site with more yo-yo information