Saturday, November 21, 2009
Getting Ready to Yo-Yo!
1. String length
The "official" string length for a yo-yo is from the floor to the height of your belly button when the string is on your finger. Measure the length 3" above your belly button. Fold the string over and tie an overhand knot to make the yo-yo loop. Trim off the excess string.
2. Make a slip knot for your finger
Take the loop you just tied and pull the string through it to make a slip knot. Put the slip knot on the middle finger of your dominant (writing) hand and pull it tight. Adjust it so that the loop is located between the first and second knuckle.
3a. Setting your string on a fixed axle yo-yo
double loop/ single loop
Beginners should learn to yo-yo with the string double-looped around the axle. To double-loop, hold the string about 4" above the yo-yo. Untwist the yo-yo in a counter-clockwise direction (to the left) until the string splits in two. Wrap one of the split strings around the axle again so that the yo-yo will not spin at the bottom of the string.
3b. Setting your string on Transaxle Yo-Yos
Transaxle yo-yos can be used with one, two, or three string loops around the bearing depending on th yo-yo. Two or three loops will give a more positive response, but use one loop for smooth, extended string tricks. To adjust the number of loops, hold the string about 4" above the yo-yo. Untwist the yo-yo in a counter-clockwise direction (to the left) until the string splits in two. Wrap one of the split strings around the axle again.
4. Winding the Yo-Yo
For winding, place a finger over the string groove, wind over the finger the first time around, then under the finger the rest of the way up.
5. Holding the Yo-Yo
Hold the yo-yo in your hand palm up with the string wrapped so it comes off your middle finger and goes over the top of the yo-yo as shown.
6. Adjusting the Yo-Yo
If the yo-yo will not sleep (spin at the bottom) or the string bunches on the yo-yo, take the string off your finger and let it hang down to untwist. "Righties" tend to make the string too tight; "Lefties" tend to make the string too loose. You have to adjust your string often.
The "official" string length for a yo-yo is from the floor to the height of your belly button when the string is on your finger. Measure the length 3" above your belly button. Fold the string over and tie an overhand knot to make the yo-yo loop. Trim off the excess string.
2. Make a slip knot for your finger
Take the loop you just tied and pull the string through it to make a slip knot. Put the slip knot on the middle finger of your dominant (writing) hand and pull it tight. Adjust it so that the loop is located between the first and second knuckle.
3a. Setting your string on a fixed axle yo-yo
double loop/ single loop
Beginners should learn to yo-yo with the string double-looped around the axle. To double-loop, hold the string about 4" above the yo-yo. Untwist the yo-yo in a counter-clockwise direction (to the left) until the string splits in two. Wrap one of the split strings around the axle again so that the yo-yo will not spin at the bottom of the string.
3b. Setting your string on Transaxle Yo-Yos
Transaxle yo-yos can be used with one, two, or three string loops around the bearing depending on th yo-yo. Two or three loops will give a more positive response, but use one loop for smooth, extended string tricks. To adjust the number of loops, hold the string about 4" above the yo-yo. Untwist the yo-yo in a counter-clockwise direction (to the left) until the string splits in two. Wrap one of the split strings around the axle again.
4. Winding the Yo-Yo
For winding, place a finger over the string groove, wind over the finger the first time around, then under the finger the rest of the way up.
5. Holding the Yo-Yo
Hold the yo-yo in your hand palm up with the string wrapped so it comes off your middle finger and goes over the top of the yo-yo as shown.
6. Adjusting the Yo-Yo
If the yo-yo will not sleep (spin at the bottom) or the string bunches on the yo-yo, take the string off your finger and let it hang down to untwist. "Righties" tend to make the string too tight; "Lefties" tend to make the string too loose. You have to adjust your string often.
Yo-Yo Buying Guide
1.When you’re just getting into a new hobby its always best to do your research. YoYos have been an evolving product and now have different shapes and technologies built into them. This buyers guide will discuss the different yo-yo characteristics and then cover some beginner and intermediate yo-yos.
Yo-Yo Shapes:
1a.Classic Shape:
This shaped yo-yo is where it all began. It is also known as the imperial or traditional shape. It is characterized by the narrow string gap and is known to be the best looping yo-yo of all three shapes. It is by far my favorite as they are sleek and fit well in the palm of the hand not to mention your pocket so you can have your yoyo handy at all times.
1b.Butterfly Shape:
The butterfly yo-yo is essentially the classic shaped yo-yo but its been inverted. This gives the butterfly a very wide string gap and makes it extremely easy to land back on the string which is essential for doing many yo-yo tricks. It’s not a bad idea to start with the butterfly while you’re learning tricks so the frustration factor doesn’t set it. These types of yoyo’s won’t fit in your pocket as easily as a classic yoyo but is certainly worth considering for a beginner.
1c.Modified Shape:
The modified yo-yo is also known as the Modern or Proyo shape. Its really a combination of both the classic and butterfly shaped yo-yos. The rounded rims make for a smooth landing back on the string and its slim profile make to a breeze for looping tricks. The best feature of this shape is its additional weight which increases the sleep time up to 8 minutes in some cases!
2.Yo-Yo Axle Types:
2a.Fixed Axle: Fixed axle yo-yos have absolutely no moving parts. The axle spins on the string. They were traditionally made out of wood or plastic and generally found on only the classic shaped yo-yo.
Transaxle: The transaxle yo-yo has outer and inner parts which move independently from each other. Simply speaking the outer part is the transaxle which spins around the inner fixed axle. The string is then connected to the outer axle. This configuration gives the yo-yo good sleeping characteristics, making tricks easier than the fixed axle yo-yo. Transaxle yo-yos excel at sleeping and string tricks.
Ball Bearing: Ball bearing yo-yos are similar to fixed axle yo-yos but it used ball bearing between the inner and outer axles. This type of yo-yo is more responsive and better for looping tricks.
2b.Clutch Transaxles: These type of yo-yos have a transaxle and a clutch built right into them. This gives them the ability to spin at high speeds, but as it slows down the clutch kicks in and returns the yo-yo back up the string before its out of momentum. The most common clutch transaxle yo-yo is the brain or power brain yo-yo. They essentially do the work for you.
Yo-Yo Shapes:
1a.Classic Shape:
This shaped yo-yo is where it all began. It is also known as the imperial or traditional shape. It is characterized by the narrow string gap and is known to be the best looping yo-yo of all three shapes. It is by far my favorite as they are sleek and fit well in the palm of the hand not to mention your pocket so you can have your yoyo handy at all times.
1b.Butterfly Shape:
The butterfly yo-yo is essentially the classic shaped yo-yo but its been inverted. This gives the butterfly a very wide string gap and makes it extremely easy to land back on the string which is essential for doing many yo-yo tricks. It’s not a bad idea to start with the butterfly while you’re learning tricks so the frustration factor doesn’t set it. These types of yoyo’s won’t fit in your pocket as easily as a classic yoyo but is certainly worth considering for a beginner.
1c.Modified Shape:
The modified yo-yo is also known as the Modern or Proyo shape. Its really a combination of both the classic and butterfly shaped yo-yos. The rounded rims make for a smooth landing back on the string and its slim profile make to a breeze for looping tricks. The best feature of this shape is its additional weight which increases the sleep time up to 8 minutes in some cases!
2.Yo-Yo Axle Types:
2a.Fixed Axle: Fixed axle yo-yos have absolutely no moving parts. The axle spins on the string. They were traditionally made out of wood or plastic and generally found on only the classic shaped yo-yo.
Transaxle: The transaxle yo-yo has outer and inner parts which move independently from each other. Simply speaking the outer part is the transaxle which spins around the inner fixed axle. The string is then connected to the outer axle. This configuration gives the yo-yo good sleeping characteristics, making tricks easier than the fixed axle yo-yo. Transaxle yo-yos excel at sleeping and string tricks.
Ball Bearing: Ball bearing yo-yos are similar to fixed axle yo-yos but it used ball bearing between the inner and outer axles. This type of yo-yo is more responsive and better for looping tricks.
2b.Clutch Transaxles: These type of yo-yos have a transaxle and a clutch built right into them. This gives them the ability to spin at high speeds, but as it slows down the clutch kicks in and returns the yo-yo back up the string before its out of momentum. The most common clutch transaxle yo-yo is the brain or power brain yo-yo. They essentially do the work for you.
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