JamesIDoo

Learning Freehand

2008-04-04T21:07:03Z

Learning Freehand

Tips and Pointers from a yoyoer learning to yoyo Freehand!

Beginning Freehand

Here is a picture of my new John Higby painted Takeshi Modded Freehand2. I just got 6 shiny new John Higby painted yoyos. Three of them came with cool bouncy ball counterweights, so I thought I would give 5A yoyoing (Freehand) a try.

I decided to document my Freehand en devours in the hope that someone else learning freehand may find some useful information and tips here.

The first step to 5A is learning to hold the yoyo in each hand. Start out by doing alternating trapezes: throw a trapeze, then dismount and pass the counterweight to your other hand to quickly use the momentum from the dismount to do a trapeze the other way. I quickly got to where I could do this a few times each time I throw. At first I found that I could not really throw straight with my left hand, or bind the yoyo back left handed, so I tended to finish up with the yoyo back in my right hand. But over time, I have learned to throw with my left hand and can still bind pretty well to my off hand.

Throwing, Binding, and Winding

Throwing and Binding. At first it may not seem important or not, but I have been learning to throw the yoyo left handed. (I am right handed). I can do a reverse bind left handed okay, but not as smoothly as I can right handed. Initially it is not much of a big deal, but when you are learning harder tricks, it is easier to practice tricks when you can bind and throw without having to switch back. If you use a responsive yoyo, it is easier to tell if you have a straight throw or not.

Winding is nice with a freehand yoyo. Just drop the counterwieght and loop the string over your index finger and wind with your other hand. No loosening or tightening string. One of the joys of 5A for me is that I never have to adjust string tension! Even after a couple hours practicing Atom Smasher, I find that my string is only a little tighter than when I started.

Alternating Trapeze

A good first trick is the alternating trapeze. Start with a a normal trapeze, which is where you do a breakaway throw, catch the string oaround the index finger of your hand not holding the counterweight, and then land the yoyo on the string between your hands. To do alternating trapeze, pop the yoyo off of the string, and it will go up and over your off hand. Then as the string starts to leave your index finger, turn your hand to catch the string, and let go of the counterwieght with your throw hand. The yoyo's momentum and wieght should pull the string through your hand, and you can catch the counter wieght. Let the yoyo keep going around and catch it on the index finger of your throw hand (which is now empty), and then land the yoyo on the string. Repeat in reverse and you will be back to where you started.

Windmill

The next trick to learn is windmill. This trick is really pretty easy once you get the hang of it, start by doing it once. Basically you throw a trapeze, but when the yoyo is just starting to peak, let go of the counterweight and let the yoyo continue between your hands. Keep your index finger out to act as a pivot between the yoyo and counterweight. Catch the counterweight with your right hand as it swings between your hands and kind of pull on the string to give the yoyo enough momentum to make it around to a trapeze. Once you get good at doing it once, let go of the counterweight a second time and a third. Once you are comfortable doing it multiple times, start with an alternating trapeze and learn to do windmill left handed!

Freehand Videos

Counter Weight

Learning Yoyo Tricks

2007-09-11T17:45:19Z

Learning Yoyo Tricks

Learning to do impressive yoyo tricks may seem like a daunting task. But with a good yoyo, a few good tutorials, and a little patience, anyone can learn to do fun yoyo tricks!

Purchasing the Right Yoyo

The first thing you need to learn to yoyo is... a yoyo! There are a lot of yoyos available, ranging from a $2 Duncan Proyo or Imperial to hundreds of dollars for a top of the line aluminum butterfly yoyo. Also, there are several styles of yoyo play. This tutorial will focus on string tricks and simple single yoyo looping tricks. These are commonly referred to as 1A and 2A; however, 2A is typically performed with two looping yoyos once you are good enough!

I recommend starting with a simple looping yoyo such as the Duncan Proyo ($2) or YoyoJam Sunset Trajectory NXG ($15). My personal preference is for a nice NXG. They have a bearing, so they spin a LONG time, and they have rubber O-Rings, so they return to your hand very easily. If you can afford it, pick up an NXG!

For string tricks, a Duncan Freehand Zero is an awsome first butterfly yoyo. They cost about $20, but they spin a long time, and come with some wider spacers for a larger gap. The only problem with the Freehand Zero is the friction stickers it uses wear out, so make sure you pick up a few with your yoyo! (You can buy these online.) (Don't worry about the counterweights, you can save those for later if you ever want to pursue 5A.)

If you are dedicated and don't want to be hassled by friction stickers, I recommend a Yoyojam Kickside or Lyn Fury, both are about $15-$20, but be aware you will need some thick lube to keep these yoyos returning to your hand, or else you will need to learn to "bind".

If you have a small budget, just get a Proyo! But if you can afford it, I would pick up both a looper and a string trick yoyo: NXG and Kickside with lube or NXG and Freehand Zero with friction stickers. Oh, wherever you bought your yoyos has some string, you will want at least 10 strings. For looping I recommend cotton 8 string, and for string tricks "slick 6". But really it doesn't matter too much at first what type of string you use. My favorite inexpensive string is Highlights which is available at yoyonation.com.

(Note: In the picture above, The left red/yellow is a modified Duncan Freehand2, the two bottom yoyos are stock Duncan Freehand Zeros, The two center green yoyos are NXGs, and the top right yoyo is a Proyo. All of these were painted by John Higby.)

Finding Good Tutorials

My favorite site for learning simple yoyo trick is Ken's World on a String. He gives good pictures of what your fingers and hands should be doing. If you just go down his list of tricks, you will learn classics like Eiffel Tower and Rock the Baby. Further down he has harder, but more impressive, tricks like Boingy Boingy.

But what do the tricks look like? I really like the videos over at Sector Y. Many of the tricks are more advanced there, but Atom Smasher and Barrel Rolls can be tricky to figure out without a video showing the trick being done!

I recommend learning sleeper first. It seems like a pretty simple trick, and at first you might think it is more difficult just getting the yoyo to return. But a good straight and long sleeper is vital to most tricks.

Soon you will be able to yoyo like this (or not)

Doctor Popular is my hero!

Low End Strings

If you can't find any slick-6, this cotton 8 string will do in a pinch.

	Yo-yo String (Toy) 5 pieces of white Duncan replacement strings. Average Customer Rating: 3.0 out of 5 (See the reviews) List Price: N/A Lowest New Price: $1.99 (as of 9/8/2008@2:53 AM)
	Replacement Yo-Yo String (Toy) Keep your yoyo running smoothly with official Yomega replacement string! Just the right width and consistency. Average Customer Rating: 1.0 out of 5 (See the reviews) List Price: $2.50 Lowest New Price: $1.49 (as of 9/8/2008@2:53 AM)

Choose TheYoStore.com

If you would like a Freehand2, they have some at KBToys, but you can't select a color. I prefer a Freehand Zero unmodified...

KBToys
At KB Toys you'll find games, toys, video games, books, party supplies, electronics, stuff for kid's rooms, & baby, videos & more. KB Toys allows you to shop by age, brand & character. Some KB Toys brands are Fisher-Price, LeapFrog, Learning Curve, LEGO, Little Tikes, Hot Wheels, Mattel, Disney, Playskool, Matchbox & Crayola. Some characters seen at KB Toys include Barbie, Bratz, Spider Man, Star Wars, Thomas & Friends, SpongeBob Squarepants, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles & Winnie the Pooh.

LEGO
LEGO is one of the world's largest toy manufacturers and the largest in construction toys. LEGO products are developed in such a way that there is something for all ages and stages of development. From kindergarten toddlers, school children and teenagers to young-at-heart adults. There’s something for everyone - whether you prefer making things up as you go or building predesigned models. Shop.lego.com carries the largest selection of LEGO products online, including exclusive, hard to find, lim...

What is a Binky

2007-08-09T19:55:55Z

What is a Binky

What is a Binky? Why would I want one? Where can I read more about them?

I LOVE Binky Best of All

A Binky is the common word used for a pacifier. When your teeth hurt, and you are a year old, typically you suck on this to help you handle the pain. My son loves his Binky, but he goes without it more and more.

We recently went to Wisconsin to visit family. While we were there, my son was teething and was very adamant about being able to keep his Binky. (He calls it Buu) We kept asking for help finding his Binky when we would lose it at various homes and everyone would bring us his Blanket aka Blanky. I'm not sure why they all think that a Binky is a Blanket, but I thought I would write about Binky's to clear up the subject.

First evidence: One of Jonah's favorite books is "Binky". Take a look at these cover, clearly it is a pacifier baby is holding up! Also, the Cat clearly has a Pacifier, so does the Binky Ba-ba Fairy.

More Evidence

Here is a web site with a fairy: http://thebinkylandfairy.com/. Fairies know about things like what a Binky is. Think if the Fairy took away your blanket how cold you would be. All the babies would freeze.

Binky is a great book!

	Binky (Leslie Patricelli board books) (Book) A comically expressive tot pays tribute to the all-important Binky in a bright, playful board book sure to have instant toddler appeal.Anyone who's spent time with a toddler knows...more Average Customer Rating: 5.0 out of 5 (See the reviews) List Price: $6.99 Lowest Used Price: $0.01 (as of 9/7/2008@1:55 PM) Lowest New Price: $3.49 (as of 9/7/2008@1:55 PM)
	Bye-Bye Binky (Book) Nora is a big girl now, but she still clings to her pacifier when she gets sleepy. One day it falls out of her pocket while shes playing outside. Ella Elephant doesnt know what ...more Average Customer Rating: 5.0 out of 5 (See the reviews) List Price: $15.99 Lowest Used Price: $9.12 (as of 9/7/2008@1:55 PM) Lowest New Price: $8.85 (as of 9/7/2008@1:55 PM)
	The Binky Ba-ba Fairy (Book) This book was originally written to help my son give up his pacifiers and bottles. It can be a struggle for a child to give up these items that give them comfort. The Binky-BaBa F...more Average Customer Rating: 4.0 out of 5 (See the reviews) List Price: $12.95 Lowest Used Price: $13.71 (as of 9/7/2008@1:55 PM) Lowest New Price: $11.65 (as of 9/7/2008@1:55 PM)