Mark's Yo-yo store: markhayward.net/store/
Learn to yo-yo with a WORLD Champion! Starting from the very beginning, this video will teach you all you need to know. FAQ below: What yo-yo is that? Why won't my yo-yo sleep?
Mark Hayward has decades of experience teaching all the tips and secrets that make yo-yo tricks simple. Learn classic tricks like Walk the Dog, Rock the Baby, Around the World, and fancier ones like Brain Twister! Plus yo-yo winding tricks, Care and Feeding of your yo-yo, and Yo-yo Safety.
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What yo-yo are you using?
I use three yo-yos in the video. The green one is the fixed-axle Duncan Ignite. The red yo-yo is the Duncan ProFly, which is very similar to the Ignite, but has the flared shape to make string tricks easier. Both are fixed-axle responsive yo-yos. The gray yo-yo that I use in the show-off section is the Duncan Mayhem (Duncan Crew Edition). It's totally different from the other yo-yos. It's machined aluminum with a special low-friction surface, it has a ball-bearing axle, and is unresponsive. It's an excellent yo-yo but is not for beginners. My recommendation for the best beginner yo-yo is the Yo-yo Factory Velocity. It's fully adjustable from beginner (responsive) play, up to advanced (unresponsive) play. If you're in the US you can buy it in Mark's store markhayward.net/store/ or at your favorite worldwide yo-yo retailer.
Why won't my yo-yo sleep?
There are several possible reasons for this. The first thing you should do is make sure that your yo-yo is in good working order. Check to be sure that you don't have any gunk (like a hairball or a banana slug) stuck in your axle. If you have a ball bearing axle make sure the bearing actually spins. If it doesn't, you'll need to oil it or replace it. Then make sure your string is in good shape (you'll need to replace it if it looks dirty, thin, or has knots you can't untie), and is properly adjusted: if your string is too twisted or untwisted you will have trouble with any trick.
Once you know that your equipment is in good shape it's time to work on your technique. Look at 4:49 in the video and follow the instructions carefully. Also watch my plane of string instructions: • 15 Intermediate Yo-yo ... to make sure you're not messing your spin up unintentionally. If your yo-yo is in good working order, you do all the steps, pay attention to all the secrets for doing a good sleeper, and practice a lot, you'll be unstoppable.