Learn
Learn to Yo-Yo
Every great thrower started with a wobbly sleeper. Practice at home with these tips, then show us at the next session.
Start Here
Start Responsive
A responsive yo-yo comes back with a tug. It's the easiest way to learn the basics. Most beginner yo-yos are responsive.
Fit the String
Stand the yo-yo on the floor. Cut the string about 2 inches above your belly button, then tie a slipknot around your middle finger.
Throw Straight Down
Palm up, curl your arm, and throw. Let it spin at the bottom. That's a sleeper, and almost every trick starts with one.
Learn to Bind
When your sleepers last 10 seconds or more, try an unresponsive yo-yo. You'll learn to bind to bring it back, and a whole world of tricks opens up.
Trick Checklist
Print this page and check tricks off as you land them. Go in any order.
First Tricks
Responsive yo-yo. Learn to sleep and return.
- Gravity Pull
- Sleeper
- Forward Pass
- Walk the Dog
- Breakaway
- Around the World
- Rock the Baby
- Trapeze
Building Blocks
Ask a grown-up helper before trying an unresponsive yo-yo.
- Bind
- Double or Nothing
- Brain Twister
- Split the Atom
- Kwyjibo
- Barrel Rolls
- Eli Hops
- Boingy Boing
Going Further
Slack, whips, and speed. Now you're building your own style.
- Green Triangle
- Mach 5
- Suicide
- Hook
- Kamikaze
- Black Hops
- Plastic Whip
- Finger Grind
Contest Styles
Some kids want to compete one day. Yo-yo contests group freestyles into styles. Rules vary by contest.
| Style | Name | What it is |
|---|---|---|
| 1A | Single A | One yo-yo, string tricks. The most popular style. |
| 2A | Two-handed looping | Two responsive yo-yos looping around your hands at once. |
| 3A | Double A | Two yo-yos doing string tricks at the same time. |
| 4A | Offstring | The yo-yo isn't tied to the string. You launch it and catch it. |
| 5A | Freehand | A counterweight replaces the finger loop, so the whole setup flies. |
Tutorials & Tools
Learn Tricks
- YoYoTricks.com Trick Library Video lessons from beginner to expert.
- YoYoExpert Learn Step-by-step trick videos.
- Duncan Tutorial Videos Classic tricks, clearly explained.
- Classic Yoyo Tricks Old-school responsive tricks.
- Skill Addicts Trick trees and tutorials.
For Teachers & Parents
- Scouting America Yo-Yo Adventure Cub Scout requirements and guide.
- Science Buddies: Sleepy Yo-yo A yo-yo science project.
- PhET Torque Simulation Explore the physics of spin.
Care & Setup
- Cleaning a Bearing When your yo-yo gets loud or stops sleeping.
- How To Yo-yo: Maintenance String, bearings, and pads.
Stuck on a trick? Bring it to the next session.