How to Use a Yo-yo

To start, you want to measure the length of your yo-yo string. It should measure from the floor to the height of your belly button. Measure the length three inches above your belly button, then fold the string over to tie an overhead knot that will serve as the yo-yo loop. Cut off the excess string with scissors, and you are all set! Now the challenge begins.

For starting position, you want to put your finger through the loop that was made at the end of the string. Grasp the yo-yo as you also grab the string. Suddenly, you want to thrust the body of the yo-yo downwards in a smooth, light motion. When reaching the end of the string, you want to employ a trick to return the body to its circled string. By a mere calculated twist of your wrist, the yo-yo can then return to the player's hand with the chord completely twisting itself back around and into place.

Generally, any movement--or combination of movements--that gets the yo-yo back to start position is considered a yo-yo trick. Yo-yo tricks are so numerous that there have been books and full websites written about them. One of the coolest tricks in yo-yo-ing is called looping. In that scenario, you keep the yo-yo moving freely back and forth, without it ever staying stagnant.

Around the world. One of the coolest yo-yo tricks is called "Around the World." Doing this merely takes a bit of focus. Give yourself an open space of five feet. Take the yo-yo and put it at your side. In a sudden movement, throw the yo-yo forward. It will get to the end of the string quite quickly. As soon as it does, without hesitation, swing it in motion. Let the yo-yo complete a circle around your body. As soon as it finishes, quickly pull the string to make the yo-yo come back to your hand and to starting position. You can repeat this several times in succession for a really cool trick to show others.

Practice. Those who are entertaining with yo-yo tricks have practiced often. It will become second-nature (to the point that you are creating your own tricks) once you have practiced the ideas in these steps.