Learn
Learn Skill Toys
Every skill toy starts the same way: one small trick, over and over, until it clicks. Pick a toy and start here.
Start Here
Yo-Yo
Start with a responsive yo-yo. String to about 2 inches above your belly button, palm up, throw straight down.
Kendama
Hold the ken by the handle, let the tama hang still, and bend your knees as you pull it up.
Spin Tops
Wind the string tight from the tip up, then throw overhand and snap your wrist back.
Diabolo & Juggling
Diabolo: roll it along the string to start it spinning. Juggling: start with one ball, then two.
First Tricks
One starter list for each toy. Land these and you're on your way.
Yo-Yo
Responsive yo-yo.
- Sleeper
- Gravity Pull
- Forward Pass
- Walk the Dog
- Breakaway
- Around the World
- Rock the Baby
- Trapeze
Kendama
Knees bent, eyes on the tama.
- Big Cup
- Small Cup
- Base Cup
- Spike
- Candlestick
- Airplane
- Around the World
- Lighthouse
Spin Tops
Wind tight, throw smooth.
- Ground Spin
- Pick Up
- Hand Spin
- Throw to Hand
Diabolo
Keep it spinning and level.
- Rolling Start
- Acceleration
- Toss and Catch
- Sun
- Around the Leg
Juggling
Throws first, catches second.
- One-Ball Toss
- Two-Ball Exchange
- Three-Ball Cascade
- Reverse Cascade
- Columns
Yo-Yo Contest Styles
Yo-yo contests group freestyles into styles. You don't need to compete, but it helps to know the names. Rules vary by contest, so check the event's rules page.
| 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.
Kendama
- LearnKendama First 50 Fifty starter tricks, in order.
- Kendama USA Tutorials Trick videos from beginner up.
- Skill Addicts Kendama Tree See what to learn next.
Spin Tops
- Skill Addicts: How to Spin a Top Winding and your first throw.
- Getting Started with Spin Tops Forum guide for beginners.
- YoYoExpert Spin Top Forum Ask questions, share tricks.
Juggling & Diabolo
- Library of Juggling Hundreds of patterns, animated.
- Skill Addicts: How to Juggle From one ball to three.
- Skill Addicts: Diabolo Starting, spinning, and tricks.
Flow Arts
- Playpoi Poi lessons for every level.
Apps
- Level Up! (iOS) Track the tricks you've landed.
- Skill Addicts (iOS) Trick trees on your phone.
- Skill Addicts (Android)
Learning is faster in person. Bring your toys and questions to the next meetup.