Intermediate Yo-Yo Tricks

Technically speaking, the Sleeping Beauty Yo-Yo Trick is not a trick. It is more of a maneuver designed to tighten or loosen the string. It is also known as the Flying Saucer. When this trick is performed properly, it resembles an outer space craft.

How to Do the Sleeping Beauty Yo-Yo Trick:

Step 1: If you are right-handed, the tightening move is the easier of the two. Hold the yo-yo horizontally in your hand and throw it out to the side. To do this you'll need to throw it slightly on an angle. The yo-yo will then spin on its side with the string loosely revolving around it in the air.

Step 2: While the yo-yo is spinning on its side, reach out and grab the yo-yo string with your left hand about five or six inches above the yo-yo.

Step 3: Pull it up and out from your right side to your left, so the yo-yo looks like a flying saucer. Hold the yo-yo slightly above the height of your right hand. Let it spin on its side for a few seconds.

Step 4: As the yo-yo slows down, give it a little jerk, upward with your left hand and sideways with your right hand, and let the string wind up. The yo-yo will return to your hand.

The Loop the Loop takes a lot of practice, but it is the foundation for many intermediate and advanced yo-yo tricks. Learn the Loop the Loop Yo-Yo Trick on the next page.

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The Loop the Loop Yo-Yo Trick is one of the most difficult tricks to learn smoothly. The secret is entirely in the wrist. Don't be discouraged if you don't get it right the first few times.

Be persistent, and keep trying! Remember to keep arm movement at a minimum. All the action should be in the wrist.

How to Do the Loop the Loop Yo-Yo Trick:

Step 1: Start with a Forward Pass.

Step 2: As the yo-yo comes back, don't catch it. As it passes your hand on the inside of your arm, snap your wrist forward in a circular motion and send the yo-yo back out again. This will make it loop.

Step 3: Do it once. Then try it twice. Then three times. Keep at it. Be sure to keep your arm out in front of you while making loops.

Hop the Fence is similar to the Loop the Loop, but with a different twist. Read about the Hop the Fence Yo-Yo Trick on the next page.

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The Hop the Fence Yo-Yo Trick is similar to Loop the Loop, except that the yo-yo is directed down toward the floor rather than out in front of you.

How to Do the Hop the Fence Yo-Yo Trick:

Step 1: Start this trick with a Throw Down.

Step 2: As the yo-yo returns to your hand, don't catch it. Instead allow it to "hop" over the top of your hand. Then, with a flick of your wrist, send it back down toward the floor. Keep "hopping." With a little practice, you'll be able to "hop the fence" for as long as you want.

Walk the Tightrope is not just a flashy trick -- it's also a way to wind up your yo-yo. Find out how to do the Walk the Tightrope Yo-Yo Trick on the next page.

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The Walk the Tightrope Yo-Yo Trick is a daredevil trick that is technically a maneuver. It's also a way to wind up your yo-yo.

How to Do the Walk the Tightrope Yo-Yo Trick:

Step 1: Hold your yo-yo string finger at about eye level and let the yo-yo dangle down around your knees.

Step 2: Take your free hand and loop the string over your forefinger. Bring your yo-yo hand down and grab the yo-yo between the thumb on one side and your ring and pinky fingers on the other side.

What you have done is made a loop of string going from the middle finger of your yo-yo hand around the forefinger of your free hand and back to the yo-yo itself, which is held in the yo-yo hand.

Make sure the part of the string that is attached to the middle finger of your yo-yo hand is just below the yo-yo.

Step 3: Let the string hang limply between your hands. Then gently drop the yo-yo onto the string near the right middle finger of your yo-yo hand.

Step 4: Slowly "walk" the yo-yo along the lower string, allowing it to roll up as it goes. Sometimes this maneuver is easier if you hold the string firmly in the free hand, rather than letting it slide over your finger.

Step 5: Once the yo-yo reaches the free hand, grab the yo-yo and finish winding it with the yo-yo hand. If you prefer, you can also drop the yo-yo and wind it up all the way by performing a Gravity Pull.

The Outside Loops Yo-Yo Trick is a fun way to unwind after learning Walk the Tightrope. Read about Outside Loops on the next page.

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The Outside Loops Yo-Yo Trick is a variation on the Loop the Loop Yo-Yo Trick. Now that you've gone inside with Loop the Loop, it's time to take a trip to the outside with Outside Loops.

How to Do the Outside Loops Yo-Yo Trick:

Step 1: Begin by throwing a Forward Pass.

Step 2: As the yo-yo returns, let it pass over the top of your yo-yo hand. The palm of your hand should be facing inward. Allow the yo-yo to circle your hand on the outside of the wrist.

Step 3: As it passes your hand on the outside of your arm, swing the yo-yo forward again with another flick of your wrist. Keep your hand low. If you lift it high, it will be hard to catch the yo-yo.

The Dog Bite Yo-Yo Trick has a surprise ending, if you perform it correctly. Learn about the Dog Bite on the next page.

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The key to performing the Dog Bite Yo-Yo Trick is to not announce it in advance. Pretend that the "bite" occurs without your realizing it.

How to Do the Dog Bite Yo-Yo Trick:

Step 1: Begin by throwing a fast Sleeper.

Step 2: Standing with your feet approximately two feet apart, swing the yo-yo between your legs and below the knee.

Step 3: Jerk the string and time the return so that the yo-yo brushes against the underside of your pant leg as it returns. The yo-yo should grab the fabric of your pants and "bite" your leg.

When your yo-yo bites, look puzzled as if your yo-yo has "disappeared." Slowly turn around as if you are looking for it. Your audience will laugh when they see the yo-yo behind you, stuck on the back of your pant leg.

The Jump the Dog Through the Hoop Yo-Yo Trick is a great follow-up to the Dog Bite. Go to the next page to learn how to perform it.

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After the Dog Bite Yo-Yo Trick, show your audience that you have taught it some manners by performing the Jump the Dog Through the Hoop Yo-Yo Trick.

Who says you can't teach an old dog new tricks?

How to Do the Jump the Dog Through the Hoop Yo-Yo Trick:

Step 1: Start by Walking the Dog.

Step 2: Instead of walking the dog in front of you, bring the yo-yo behind your leg, and walk your yo-yo beneath the leg that is on the same side of your body as your yo-yo hand.

Step 3: Put your yo-yo hand on your hip. Then arch your elbow straight out so that your arm and side form a "hoop."

Step 4: Give the string a slight tug to bring the yo-yo back. If you are using a "clutch" yo-yo, wait for the clutch to engage and return the yo-yo automatically. Let the yo-yo swing around behind you and go "through the hoop."

The Motorcycle Yo-Yo Trick is a great test of your string technique. Find out how to do the Motorcycle Trick on the next page.

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Don't worry about speed when you perform the Motorcycle Yo-Yo Trick. This "motorcycle" may not win a lot of races, but it sure is fun to drive.

How to Do the Motorcycle Yo-Yo Trick:

Step 1: Start by throwing a fast Sleeper.

Step 2: With your free hand, grab the string between your thumb and forefinger, about six inches from your yo-yo hand.

Step 3: Lift the string your free hand is clutching above your yo-yo hand. Grab the string between your yo-yo hand's middle finger and thumb.

Step 4: Release the string from your free hand. Then reach through the loop and grab another six inches or so of string, pulling the string through the loop to form the "handlebars" of the motorcycle.

Step 5: Touch the spinning yo-yo to the floor and let it "ride" as though you're holding onto the handlebars. Make a roaring sound like that of a motorcycle.

Step 6: To call the yo-yo home, drop the string, give a quick tug, and the yo-yo will return to your hand.

Make your yo-yo appear to defy gravity when you perform the Monkey Climb the Tree Yo-Yo Trick. Learn how to do the trick on the next page.

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After you've learned to perform the Monkey Climb the Tree Yo-Yo Trick, you won't have to go to a zoo to watch a monkey.

As the yo-yo "climbs" the string, be sure to follow its progress with your eyes.

How to Do the Monkey Climb the Tree Yo-Yo Trick:

Step 1: Throw a fast Sleeper.

Step 2: Bring your free hand up and slip your forefinger under the middle of the string. With your free hand, lift the spinning yo-yo straight up until it is hanging above your yo-yo hand.

Step 3: Place the string closest to your yo-yo finger inside the groove of the spinning yo-yo. Hold your free hand still and gently pull downward with your yo-yo hand. The yo-yo will appear to "climb" the string.

Step 4: When the yo-yo reaches the top of its climb, slip the string off your finger. The yo-yo will wind up and return to your hand.

The Slurp the Spaghetti Yo-Yo Trick is best when you really ham it up. Learn how to do this funny trick on the next page.

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You'll love the Slurp the Spaghetti Yo-Yo Trick, especially when you ham it up. As you build the trick, make some comments such as "How many of you like spaghetti?" or "Do you know how much fun it is to slurp spaghetti up?"

How to Do the Slurp the Spaghetti Yo-Yo Trick:

Step 1: Throw a fast Sleeper.

Step 2: Reach over with your free hand and grab the yo-yo string about four inches below your yo-yo hand. Hold onto the string with your free hand.

Step 3: Next swing your yo-yo hand down and grab the string about four inches below your free hand. Continue grabbing pieces of string, alternating with fingers of your free and yo-yo hands.

Step 4: Bring the "spaghetti" up to your mouth. Then let go of the string. At the same time make a loud, slurping noise with your mouth. The spinning yo-yo will quickly wind up all the string.

It will appear as if you have just sucked the "spaghetti" into your mouth. Pat your stomach, smack your lips, and utter a contented "mmmmm mmmmm," as if you have just enjoyed your meal.

The Thread the Needle Yo-Yo Trick is very similar to the Monkey Climb the Tree trick, but it adds a new twist. Find out how to perform this eye-popping trick on the next page.

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The Thread the Needle Yo-Yo Trick is similar to Monkey Climb the Tree, except that it is performed horizontally. The Monkey climbs the string vertically.

How to Do the Thread the Needle Yo-Yo Trick:

Step 1: Throw a fast Sleeper.

Step 2: With your free hand, extend your forefinger, place it under the string, and lift the yo-yo up as if you were going to perform Monkey Climb the Tree.

Step 3: Slip the string through the groove of the spinning yo-yo from behind.

Step 4: Now with your free hand's forefinger between the strings, move your free arm slightly outward and upward. Pull your yo-yo hand backward and "walk" (actually, you will be providing the movement by pulling your yo-yo hand away from the yo-yo) the yo-yo along the string toward your free hand.

Step 5: As the yo-yo reaches the forefinger of your free hand, slip the finger out of the loop you have just formed, jerk the string, and let the yo-yo wind back up.

Once you've mastered Thread the Needle, the string work in the Corral Gate Yo-Yo Trick should be no problem. Read about the Corral Gate trick on the next page.

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The Corral Gate is a unique trick with intricate string work that will impress everyone. Round 'em up!

How to Do the Corral Gate Yo-Yo Trick:

Step 1: Grab the string about six inches from the top with the first three fingers of your free hand and pull it toward you.

Step 2: Then reach down with your yo-yo hand, and grab the string with your first three fingers.

Step 3: Reach down again with your free hand and grab the string with the same three fingers as in Step 1.

Step 4: Finish off the gate by first reaching over with your yo-yo hand's pinky finger, then grabbing the string and pulling it up against your fourth finger.

The result should appear as an "X" on its side between two lengths of string. You have just formed a Corral Gate.

The Eiffel Tower Yo-Yo Trick is another great string exercise, just like the Corral Gate trick. Find out how to do it on the next page.

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When you learn the Eiffel Tower Yo-Yo Trick, you don't have to spend a lot of money to visit the Eiffel Tower. All you need is your yo-yo!

How to Do the Eiffel Tower Yo-Yo Trick:

Step 1: Open your free-hand thumb and forefinger and place it about eight inches below your yo-yo hand and pull the string toward you and up.

Step 2: Bring your yo-yo hand thumb against the string in a counterclockwise motion.

Step 3: Rotate the string clockwise with your free hand to form an "X."

Step 4: Reach over with your free hand and grab the string about 18 inches from the yo-yo, pull it through the triangle, and allow the string to slide off of the outside of your thumb and middle fingers.

Step 5: Finally, pull the yo-yo string up through the loop you just released while catching the hanging string between the yo-yo and ring finger. Display the Eiffel Tower.

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