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Intermediate Yo-Yo String Tricks

There are many different yo-yo tricks and they vary drastically in terms of difficulty. They range from simple moves like the Sleeper to incredibly complex moves like the Gyroscopic Flop. There are, of course, many moves between these two extremes that are for neither pure beginners or seasoned experts. These intermediate tricks require some skill, as well as a knowledge of some beginner moves, since tricks often build off of the simpler moves. Use these yo-yo tricks to impress your friends and improve your skills.

Breakaway Throw
- Lots of intermediate tricks require the Breakaway Throw. This throw starts with your throwing hand at shoulder height, fingers facing toward your face. You release the yo-yo up and away from your body as your hand curls out. The yo-yo will hit its apex and then swing down past the front of your body. Turn your shoulders slightly in the direction of the swing to easily catch the yo-yo as it comes back across.
Flying Trapeze
- This trick starts with the Breakaway Throw. To turn it into the Flying Trapeze, you put out the pointer finger from your non-throwing hand, so that when the yo-yo swings around, the string will impact with your finger and the yo-yo will curl around and land on the now taut string and continue spinning. To dismount, move your hands closer together so that the string bends a little and then move them quickly apart. This will pop the yo-yo off and swing it back around your finger. From there, you can easily catch it.
Rock the Baby
- This trick starts with a strong Sleeper move. Once you have the Sleeper going, take your non-throwing hand and bring it down about one third of the way down the string and pinch it between two fingers. Then take your throwing hand and move it another third of the way down, below your other hand, and pinch again. From here, grip the string with the fingers of your top hand (non-throwing) and then move this hand toward your body and down under your other hand. This motion is like grabbing a lever and pulling it down. When this hand is below the other, spread your fingers out, which will create a triangle between your two hands. The yo-yo will be hanging just in front of the open triangle. Rock your top hand (now the throwing hand) slightly and the yo-yo will swing back and forth through the triangle. To release, grab the string with your non-throwing hand and move it like a lever back up the way it came. Then release the string with that hand, followed by the other. The yo-yo will fall down for an easy catch.
Dizzy Baby
- This trick is an extension of Rock the Baby. Once you have the yo-yo rocking in the triangle, swing it hard toward your body so that the yo-yo swings through the triangle, up over your top hand and back through the triangle. Repeat the motion to keep the yo-yo swinging around. Time your release with the yo-yo's downswing. Release your top hand pinch and then the other. The yo-yo will fall down for an easy catch.

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