How to Make a Yo-Yo Spin Longer
You can't find a more elementary toy than a yo-yo. Despite being uncomplicated, though, it can occupy you for hours, and it is a good tool for developing hand-eye coordination. Virtually everyone is familiar with its operation. You wrap a string around the post joining its two halves and tie the string to your finger. When you drop the yo-yo, the string unwinds fully, then pulls the yo-yo back as it rewinds. A favorite trick of aficionados is to get the yo-yo to remain spinning at the end of the string without coming back.
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Instructions
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Separate the yo-yo by pulling the two halves apart and remove the string from the post between the halves. Untie the existing loop.
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Make a loop in the end of the string that has a diameter slightly larger than that of the post. Tie the loop with a knot that won't slip, like a reef knot. It's important that the post be able to rotate freely inside the loop. Tie a reef knot by crossing the end of the rope over the point where you want the knot to be to form a half knot. Loop it over, cross it again and pull the knot tight.
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Reassemble the yo-yo and wind up the string. Tie another loop on the other end of the string to fit around your middle finger. Use a slip knot so the string will tighten around your finger as you use the yo-yo. Loop the end of the string around a point about 2 inches from the end and tie a simple knot so that the string can slip through the knot.
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Hold the yo-yo upright in the palm of your hand and throw it to the ground with a backward motion of your wrist. As soon as the yo-yo leaves your hand, turn your hand over so that your palm is facing the yo-yo.
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Keep your hand steady but flexible, and when the string reaches full extension, gently compensate for the tug on your finger by moving your hand slightly in the direction of the yo-yo. This will convert the forward momentum of the yo-yo into rotational energy and the yo-yo will spin in place as long as you keep your hand steady.
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Give a slight upward tug on the string when you want the yo-yo to return. Depending on how fast it is spinning, a slight to moderate impetus should be enough to rewind the string and return the yo-yo to your hand.
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Make the yo-yo spin longer by throwing it to the ground with more force. The more forward momentum it has to convert into rotational energy, the longer the yo-yo will spin.
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Tips & Warnings
When you become proficient at keeping the yo-yo spinning, try looping it in circles around you while the string is fully extended. This trick is called "Around the World." It takes practice.
Try "walking the dog." While the yo-yo is spinning at the end of the string, lower it to the floor and watch as its rotational energy turns to forward momentum and it rolls along the floor.
Practice yo-yo tricks far from breakable furniture, and make sure anyone within range sees you and knows what you are doing.
References
- Photo Credit Jupiterimages/Polka Dot/Getty Images
