Basic Yoyo Tricks
Basic yoyo tricks are the foundation of all yoyo trick styles. These tricks are simple and easy to learn, making them a great starting point for beginners. Some common basic yoyo tricks include the sleeper, walk the dog, and rock the baby. The sleeper involves throwing the yoyo down and letting it sleep at the end of the string before pulling it back up. Walk the dog involves allowing the yoyo to roll along the floor while still attached to the string. Rock the baby involves swinging the yoyo back and forth and making it look like it’s cradling a baby.
String Tricks
String tricks are more advanced than basic yoyo tricks and require more skill and precision. These tricks involve manipulating the yoyo while it is still attached to the string and can be performed in a variety of ways. Some popular string tricks include the trapeze, double or nothing, and the matrix. The trapeze involves throwing the yoyo and landing it on a specific string segment. Double or nothing involves landing the yoyo on both the front and back string segments. The matrix involves landing the yoyo on multiple string segments in a pyramid-like formation.
Looping Tricks
Looping tricks are a style of yoyo play that focuses on performing continuous loops with the yoyo. These tricks require precise control and timing to keep the yoyo spinning in a loop. Some common looping tricks include forward loops, inside loops, and around the world. Forward loops involve throwing the yoyo and performing continuous loops in front of the body. Inside loops involve throwing the yoyo and performing continuous loops inside of the body. Around the world involves throwing the yoyo and allowing it to spin in a full circle around the body.
Offstring Tricks
Offstring tricks, also known as 4A, involve performing yoyo tricks without having the yoyo attached to the string. In this style, the yoyo is typically held in the hand and thrown into the air, where it can then be caught on the string or perform various tricks while it is off the string. Some popular offstring tricks include the throw and catch, whip catch, and aerials. The throw and catch involve throwing the yoyo into the air and catching it on the string before it returns to the hand. The whip catch involves performing a whip motion to catch the yoyo on the string. Aerials involve performing various acrobatic tricks with the yoyo while it is off the string.
Freehand Tricks
Freehand tricks, also known as 5A, involve performing yoyo tricks while using a counterweight instead of having the yoyo attached to the hand. In this style, the yoyo is typically attached to a counterweight and the counterweight is held by the player. This allows for more freedom and creativity in yoyo play as the yoyo can move independently from the player’s hand. Some popular freehand tricks include the throw and catch, grind tricks, and slacks. The throw and catch involves throwing the yoyo into the air and catching it on the string attached to the counterweight. Grind tricks involve allowing the yoyo to grind on various surfaces while still attached to the counterweight. Slacks involve manipulating the string and counterweight to create slack in the string and perform various intricate tricks.
