Yo-Yo Tips and Tricks
Don't know where to begin with that yo-yo? Whether you're looking to choose the right shape, maintain your bearing, troubleshoot a sleepy yo-yo, or learn to Walk the Dog, our guide will get you spinning!
Choosing a Yo-Yo
To many people, a yo-yo is just a yo-yo. But in the past few years, yo-yos have been designed with technology and physics in mind. Body material, weight, axle design, and body shape all play a role in performance. Of these, shape and axle have the greatest effect.
Yo-Yo Shapes
Traditional
The classic and most common shape. It is a good all-around shape for most tricks and is good for looping. Most beginners will do well on a yo-yo with a traditional shape.
Flared Gap
Basically the two halves of the traditional design reversed. Because of its extra wide string gap, it is excellent for tricks which require the yo-yo to land on its own string (like Trapeze) or offstring tricks. Difficult for looping.
Modified
The majority of the mass is distributed around the rim, allowing for the longest spin (sleep) time possible. Modified flared gap yo-yos are very popular for long spin times during complex string tricks.
Fixed Axles
A fixed axle has the string looped directly around the axle itself. These yo-yos sleep because the string is attached loosely enough for the axle to slip in the loop at the bottom. The axle itself does not move.
Fixed axles may be made from plastic, wood, or metals. Most players prefer wood for performance, but metal for strength. Fixed axle yo-yos do not sleep as long as transaxle yo-yos, but make better loopers.
String tension is vital here. If twisted too tightly, it won't sleep. If too loose, it won't return. Experiment to find the perfect tension!
Transaxles
A transaxle is a piece which spins on the metal axle. The string is attached to this piece. The yo-yo sleeps because the transaxle spins freely.
Transaxles may be a plastic/nylon bearing, or a metal roller bearing. Nylon bearings are inexpensive but require lubrication (Teflon oil). Most roller bearings are sealed and require little to no lubrication.
Transaxles sleep much longer than fixed axles but can be difficult for looping due to their tendency to sleep unless they have brake pads or narrow gaps.
Yo-Yo Maintenance & Setup
Stringing Your Yo-Yo
Never take a yo-yo apart to string it. This could result in the string getting caught and cut in the axle threading when you screw it back together! Instead, remove the old string by untwisting it until you can slip the yo-yo out.
Depending upon the type of yo-yo, you will need to put from one to three loops around the axle of the yo-yo. If you're not sure, start with one loop and add more until your yo-yo both sleeps and comes back easily.
- All fixed axle yo-yos: One loop. Two are preferred by some for looping, and three can be used for very young children so the yo-yo doesn't sleep, making it easier to get it back to the hand.
- Nylon transaxle yo-yos, such as the Yomega Brain or Fireball: Three loops; two for more advanced players.
- Roller bearing yo-yos: One or two loops.
- Yo-yos with an adjustable string gap: Usually one loop, sometimes two.
1 Loop (Fixed axles & bearing yo-yos)
To put one loop on a yo-yo, untwist the new string at the bottom (the end without the knot) until you have opened up a loop large enough to slip over the yo-yo. Slip this loop over the yo-yo and into the string gap. Now allow the string to retwist while keeping tension on it to avoid kinks, and you're done!
2-3 Loops (Transaxle yo-yos)
For two loops, start with one loop but continue to hold the string open after slipping it into the string gap. Give it a one-half twist and slip the loop over the yo-yo again. For three loops, give it one more half-twist and slip it over the yo-yo again. Retwist the string after you have installed the proper number of loops.
Trimming the String & Making a Slipknot
The string should be waist to navel high when resting on the floor. If it is too long, cut it about 4 inches above the waist.
To tie a slipknot: Fold the top of the string over about an inch and tie a knot near the cut end of the string. Now, pull the string through the loop you just made and you will have a slipknot.
String Placement
Most yo-yo players wear the string on their middle finger between the first and second knuckles. This provides a good combination of leverage for powerful throws and balance for improved control during tricks.
Winding the String
Transaxle and bearing yo-yos can be hard to wind. Place your index finger over the string gap and wind the string once over your finger. Next, wind it twice more under your finger and inside the gap. Slip your finger out and finish winding.
Oiling the Bearing
If your nylon transaxle screeches or won't return, unscrew it and place a drop of Teflon oil on the smooth part of the axle (avoiding the threads). Roller bearings rarely need oil, but if they do, drop it directly into the side groove of the bearing.
Troubleshooting & Repair
My Brain yo-yo won't come back automatically
String: Ensure it's triple looped and tightly twisted so it's not slipping.
O-ring: After enough use, the o-ring will wear down from the closing of the clutch around it. If the o-ring seems flat around the edges rather than rounded, replace it. Wipe any oil off the o-ring and clutch.
Clutch: The clutch may be broken so that it cannot close tightly on the o-ring. This can happen if the yo-yo hits the ground hard.
My fixed axle yo-yo won't come back
Twist the string so that the loop is a little tighter around the axle. Replace an old, thin string with a new, fluffy one.
My transaxle yo-yo won't come back
Oil: The yo-yo needs oil to fill the air gap between the axle and transaxle.
String: Check to be sure the string is looped three times on the Fireball or Powerspin. Also, old, thin strings do not work as well as new, fluffy ones.
String Gap: The string gap may be too wide. Be sure your yo-yo is screwed together all the way. It is also sometimes possible to knock or pull the axle nut from its plastic housing inside the yo-yo. If this has happened, it can sometimes be fixed by firmly pushing the two yo-halves together to pop it back into place.
Skill: These aren't beginner yo-yos. If you haven't yet mastered a strong throw, you may simply need to practice or start out with a Brain yo-yo to develop your skills.
My yo-yo keeps coming apart or won't screw back together
Threading: It is normal for all take-apart yo-yos to work their way apart over time and should be checked for tightness during play. Wipe any oil off the axle threading and screw the yo-yo back together until it is snug, taking care not to strip the threading or crack the plastic housing.
Stripped: If the axle threading or nut is stripped, or the plastic housing around the nut is cracked, the yo-yo may not screw together or stay together. Don't use too much force when screwing your yo-yo back together and trim your string so you don't hit the ground to prevent this from happening.
My string keeps breaking
A string naturally breaks after 6-8 hours of play. If breaking instantly, check your axle- a scratched fixed axle will "buzzsaw" through a string rapidly. Never use sharp metal tools to dig a knot out of the gap.
A take-apart yo-yo's string may have gotten caught in the axle threading. If a string falls off a bearing, it will be cut quickly. Check to see that you have all the parts inside the yo-yo and that they are in the correct order. If the yo-yo has an adjustable gap, the gap may have been widened past the width of the bearing.
My cap fell off
Usually this happens when the yo-yo hits the ground too hard. You can have an adult help you glue it back on with super glue.
My yo-yo won't sleep
String: Be sure the string is looped, not tied around the axle. Look for knots in the string. Untwist the string a little so the axle can spin freely within the loop at the end. Check to see if the string is tangled inside the yo-yo or screwed into the axle threading. If the string is tangled inside a non take-apart yo-yo and you use a paper clip, scissors, or other sharp or metallic object to remove it, be very careful not to scratch the axle or inside of the yo-yo as this will quickly cut through your string.
String Gap: If the yo-yo axle threading has been stripped or a spacer has been lost, the yo-yo may be screwed too far together, not leaving a wide enough space for the free spinning of the bearing or string.
- Transaxle yo-yo: It may need to be oiled. There may be dirt on the axle. The axle may be scratched, preventing the free spinning of the transaxle or string.
- Brain: The transaxle may be in backwards. Put the o-ring side of the transaxle into the "smart" half of the Brain.
- Adjustable Gap yo-yo: The string gap may be adjusted to too narrow a setting. Widen the gap and try again.
- Roller bearing yo-yo: The pieces may be in the wrong order. Spacers go on both sides of the bearing, cupping around it. Small o-rings, if there are any, go on either side of the spacers.
My yo-yo won't come apart
Fixed axle: Fixed axle yo-yos like older Duncan models and most wood yo-yos are not made to come apart. Carefully remove string tangles with a paper clip, taking care not to scratch the inside of the yo-yo or the axle.
Stripped/cracked: Yo-yos which have been stripped or cracked may not come apart. Don't use too much force when screwing your yo-yo back together and trim your string so you don't hit the ground to prevent this from happening.
My new yo-yo has a mark/knob on the edge
This is the mold mark present on many popular models of yo-yo and is perfectly normal.
I need to take out my axle without scratching it
Although it doesn't work every time, we've had good luck wrapping something like a heavy rubber band around the axle to protect it before using pliers to unscrew the axle from the yo-yo.
Basic Yo-Yo Tricks
Sleeper
The foundational trick! Throw the yo-yo overhanded (palm up). Make a "muscle" with your arm and put the yo-yo on your shoulder. Lift your elbow to face level, and throw the yo-yo straight down with a hard snap of your wrist. It should spin (sleep) at the bottom.
Forward Pass
Hold the yo-yo by your waist with the back of your hand facing forward. Drop the yo-yo and swing your arm outward in a sweeping motion from the shoulder. Don't pull your hand toward your face- catch it out in front of you!
Walk the Dog
Throw a hard, stable Sleeper. Very gently lower the spinning yo-yo until it just touches the floor. The rotation will cause it to roll forward across the ground. Give it a tug to return it before it runs out of spin!
Around the World
Throw a powerful Forward Pass, but don't tug it back. Let it sleep at the end of the string as the momentum swings it in a full circle around your body. Give it a tug as it passes in front of you to return it. (Make sure you have plenty of clear space!)
Yo-Yo Tips and images ©1998 by Yo-Yoda of Yo-Yo Universe