Evie Summers
Yo-yoing is a fun skill to learn, and there are many tricks to master. One of the most important skills to develop is a good throw. Once you have this down, you can move on to more advanced tricks like The Sleeper, which is the basis for many other yo-yo tricks. The Sleeper is when the yo-yo stays in place and spins at the end of the string. To do this trick, you need to pull your hand back and pad the landing just before the yo-yo hits the maximum length of the string. This prevents the yo-yo from landing violently and makes it sleep. If you want to try more tricks, you can attempt Walking the Dog, The Thrown Down, The Elevator, or The Gravity Pull.
Characteristics and Values Table for Yoyo Tricks Without Sleeping
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Yoyo Type | Metal ball bearing yoyos are best for tricks. Plastic yoyos can be modified to reduce friction. |
| Throwing Technique | Hold the yoyo with the string over the top to prevent spinning out. Throw straight down, not leaning to one side. |
| String Adjustment | Adjust the string length for your height to avoid the yoyo hitting the ground. |
| Landing | Pad the landing to prevent a violent impact and allow the yoyo to "sleep." |
| Return | Give the string a slight tug to wake up the yoyo and return it to your hand. |
| Practice | Practice in a safe area away from people or objects that could get hurt or broken. |
| Tricks | The Sleeper, Gravity Pull, and Walking the Dog are tricks that don't require sleeping. |
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What You'll Learn
The Sleeper
To perform the Sleeper, start by holding the yoyo in the palm of your hand with the gap on your middle finger. The string should be looped onto your middle finger, about halfway down. Throw the yoyo down as you normally would, but right before it hits the maximum length of the string, pull your hand back slightly to cushion the landing. This will prevent the yoyo from bouncing and creating slack in the string. If the string is too tight, the yoyo may not be able to sleep, so make sure to adjust the string length accordingly.
As the yoyo spins at the bottom of the string, it is said to be "sleeping." The harder you throw the yoyo, the more difficult it is to make it sleep. You can experiment with how long you can make the yoyo sleep, and even try other tricks like the "elevator" that build off of the basic Sleeper.
Once you have mastered the Sleeper, you can attempt more advanced tricks that require the yoyo to sleep. It is important to note that not all yoyos are made for sleeping, as inexpensive plastic yoyos tend to have more friction-heavy surfaces. If you are serious about practicing tricks, consider investing in a quality yoyo with a metal ball bearing, which will reduce friction and allow for smoother spins.
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The Gravity Pull
Then, bring your arm straight out, with your hand up by your ear, as if you're flexing your muscle. Bring your hand down and release the yo-yo. The yo-yo will shoot over your fingers and reach the end of the string. Flip your hand over and give a little pull on the string to bring the yo-yo back up into your hand.
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The Basic Throw
To start, make sure you're holding the yoyo properly. With your palm facing up, the string should go over the top of the yoyo. If you flip it over, you'll see that the string goes underneath. If you throw the yoyo and it spins out at the bottom, you're probably holding it upside down.
Once you've adjusted the string for your height, you're ready to learn the throw. Simply throw it out, turn your hand over, and catch it. It's important to let go of the yoyo as soon as you begin the throwing motion. You can also try lifting your arm slightly after releasing it to prevent it from touching the ground.
When you get used to this, you can try making the yoyo sleep. Sleeping is when the yoyo spins at the bottom of the string. However, keep in mind that the harder you throw it, the more difficult it is to make it sleep. This is because when the yoyo hits the bottom of the string, it tends to bounce, creating slack in the string, which makes it want to come back. To compensate for this bounce, give your yoyo hand a little up and down motion to cushion the landing.
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The Throw Down
- Begin with the yo-yo hanging at the end of the string, ensuring that it is in a "sleeping" state, spinning at the bottom of the string.
- Hold the free end of the string, about 6 to 12 inches away from the yo-yo, between the thumb and forefinger of your throwing hand.
- With a quick, snapping motion, pull your hand towards your body, causing the yo-yo to snap upwards and begin to spin.
- As the yo-yo reaches the peak of its ascent, release your grip on the string, allowing it to fall back down towards the ground.
- Just before the yo-yo reaches the end of the string, quickly catch the string with the middle finger of your non-throwing hand. This should be done in a smooth, fluid motion, almost like catching a ball.
- With the yo-yo now hanging from the middle finger of your non-throwing hand, you have successfully completed the Throw Down.
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Walk the Dog
"Walk the Dog" is one of the most famous yo-yo tricks and is considered fairly easy to master compared to other yo-yo tricks. However, it does require some prerequisite skills, such as learning how to throw a "Sleeper".
To perform the Sleeper trick, allow the yo-yo to spin at the end of the string near the ground. Once the yo-yo reaches the end of the string, it should continue spinning without returning to your hand. This is a fundamental skill to learn before attempting to "Walk the Dog".
To "Walk the Dog", start by throwing a powerful Sleeper. Then, gently lower the spinning yo-yo to the ground. The yo-yo should be in the Sleeper position, spinning at the end of the string when it touches the ground. It will naturally move forward due to its spinning motion. To facilitate this movement, it is best to perform this trick on a smooth, hard surface, such as a hardwood or laminate floor. You can also try it on a carpet or soft surface to aid the yo-yo in gripping the floor.
As the yo-yo moves forward, start walking forward yourself, keeping your arm at the same height so that the yo-yo just touches the ground. This motion creates the illusion of walking a dog on a leash, giving the trick its name.
Once the yo-yo starts to slow down or you run out of space, pull your hand upward to bring the yo-yo back to your palm. Your palm should be facing downward to easily catch the yo-yo. Then, turn your palm upward and repeat the trick.
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Frequently asked questions
The Sleeper is a yoyo trick where you throw the yoyo down and as the string is fully extended, the yoyo stays in place and spins.
First, throw the yoyo down normally. Before the yoyo hits the maximum length of the string, pull your hand back to pad the landing. This will prevent the yoyo from landing violently and it will "sleep" while spinning. To make the yoyo return to your hand, give the string a tug.
Some easy yoyo tricks you can learn are the Gravity Pull, Sleeper, Walking the Dog, and the Forward Pass.
If you are serious about practising yoyo tricks, consider buying a quality yoyo with a metal ball bearing to reduce friction. A Duncan Butterfly or YoyoFactory F.A.S.T 201 is a cheap but trick-worthy starter yoyo.
Practising yoyo tricks requires patience and dedication. You may not get the trick on the first try, but keep practising the technique until you master it. Make sure to practise in a safe space where you won't hurt anyone or break anything.
