10 DNA Yo-Yo Tricks (Beginner to Advanced) – Step-by-Step Tutorial by a World Champion

Now let’s break down all 10 DNA tricks one at a time. Now let’s break down all 10 DNA tricks one at a time. I’ll walk you through every step and share tips to help you land each variation more consistently.

How to Do 10 DNA Yo-Yo Tricks: Beginner to Advanced

The easiest way to learn these DNA tricks is to work through them in order. Each variation becomes progressively more difficult, helping you build the control, timing, coordination and confidence needed to attempt the most advanced tricks.

DNA Yo-Yo Trick #1: The Classic DNA

This is the trick that started it all. The Classic DNA creates the iconic helix that went viral around the world and became the foundation for every variation in this challenge.

1. Start with the throw. 

Begin with a strong front-style horizontal throw over your opposite hand. This sets up the right spin and angle for the trick.

2. Pop onto your pointer finger

As the yo-yo returns forward, pop it up and land it gently onto your pointer finger to prepare for the finger spin.

3. Enter the finger spin

With the yo-yo balanced on your finger, whip the string into the gap. This keeps the yo-yo stable during the spin.

4. Pull up for the DNA effect

Lightly pull up on the string. This causes the yo-yo to snag and start forming the signature DNA spiral.

Quick Tip: Make sure your top hand stays lined up with the yo-yo throughout the trick. Good alignment ensures a smooth spiral and prevents wobbling.

Still having trouble with the Classic DNA? Check out my complete step-by-step unresponsive DNA tutorial, where I break down the trick in more detail and cover common mistakes, tips, and fixes to help you land it consistently.

5. Finish with the catch

Pop the yo-yo back off your finger and catch it cleanly. That's the full DNA!

DNA Yo-Yo Trick #2: DNA Hops

Once you've mastered the classic DNA, you're ready to take it up a notch with DNA Hops. This trick adds a sequence of finger transitions that make the helix look even more dynamic.

1. Start with a regular DNA

Begin the same way as the classic DNA. Throw hard, land on your pointer finger, whip into the finger spin, and form the helix.

2. Hop to your middle finger

Once the DNA helix is stable, carefully pop the yo-yo off your pointer finger and land it onto your middle finger.

3. Continue down the fingers

From your middle finger, hop the yo-yo to your ring finger, and then down again to your pinky. Each hop should be smooth and controlled.

4. Return back up

After reaching your pinky, pop the yo-yo back up on your ring finger, then middle finger, until it lands cleanly on your pointer finger once again.

5. Maintain the helix

Throughout the entire sequence, make sure you throw the yo-yo hard at the beginning. A strong throw helps keep the DNA helix formation alive through each hop.

6. Finish the catch

Once you've returned to your pointer finger and the DNA spiral is stable, pop the yo-yo off and catch it to complete the trick.

DNA Yo-Yo Trick #3: The Stepback DNA

This trick adds creativity and difficulty by moving the yo-yo around your arm while keeping the DNA spiral controlled.

1. Form the DNA

Start with a strong throw and set up a regular DNA helix on your pointer finger. Make sure it feels stable before continuing.

2. Tuck your elbow in

Once the DNA is spinning, tuck your elbow close to your body to prepare for the stepback motion.

3. Bring the yo-yo around your arm

Guide the yo-yo around to the outside of your arm while keeping the helix controlled. Balance and alignment are key here.

4. Hop over the arm

From the outside position, hop the yo-yo up and over your arm, then catch it back into the original DNA position on your pointer finger.

5. Control the helix

Make sure the DNA stays stable on the outside of your arm before attempting the jump. Without control, the yo-yo will lose spin and collapse.

6. Finish cleanly

Once the stepback is complete and you've returned to the DNA position, pop the yo-yo off your finger and catch to finish the trick.

DNA Yo-Yo Trick #4: The Behind the Back DNA

The Behind the Back DNA is one of the most challenging variations of the DNA series. The hardest part is landing the yo-yo in the starting position, but once you lock it in, the rest of the trick flows naturally.

1. Start with the catch

The most difficult part of this trick is catching the yo-yo behind your back. It will feel awkward at first, but practice the positioning until it becomes natural.

2. Wrap the string

Once you've landed the yo-yo behind your back, wrap the string around the yo-yo from the side closest to your body.

3. Pull up to form the DNA

Lightly pull up on the string while keeping your top hand lined up with the yo-yo. This alignment is crucial to form and maintain the DNA spiral.

4. Lock in the spin

With the alignment set, your behind-the-back DNA should hold steady. The stronger and cleaner your throw, the longer the helix will last.

5. Catch and finish

Once you've demonstrated control, pop the yo-yo back off your finger and catch it cleanly to complete the trick.

DNA Yo-Yo Trick #5: The Euro DNA

Level five takes the DNA trick around the world with the Euro DNA. This is where the creativity really ramps up, and the movements become more advanced.

1. Land the finger spin

Start just like the classic DNA—land the yo-yo into a clean finger spin using the whip.

2. Whip counterclockwise

Whip the string around the yo-yo in a counterclockwise direction. This begins the wrapping motion that defines the Euro DNA.

3. Circle again with a lift

Keep the motion going for a second counterclockwise whip, but this time, lift the yo-yo up while twisting your hand outward.

4. Move into the inverted position

As you lift, bring your arm into an inverted position. This twist locks in the new DNA variation.

5. Lock in the helix

With the yo-yo in place, whip the string into the gap and hold your inverted stance. The DNA helix should remain spinning smoothly.

6. Finish the catch

Once you've shown control, pop the yo-yo off your finger and catch it cleanly to complete the Euro DNA.

DNA Yo-Yo Trick #6: Hezy DNA

Level six introduces the Hezy DNA, a trick that looks wild and requires full commitment. Despite the name, there's no room for hesitation if you want to pull this one off.

1. Form the DNA

Start with a strong throw and set up a standard DNA helix on your pointer finger. Make sure it's stable and spinning well.

2. Pop the yo-yo upward

From the DNA position, pop the yo-yo up into the air while releasing the tension slightly.

3. Move your hand below

Quickly bring your hand down beneath the yo-yo. You'll notice the DNA spiral continues to form but now it's below the yo-yo.

4. Time the drop

As the yo-yo begins to fall, get ready to reposition. This timing is key to keeping the trick controlled.

5. Return above the yo-yo

Swiftly move your hand back above the yo-yo and catch it in a finger spin, re-locking the DNA helix in its normal position.

6. Finish with control

Once the helix is stable again, pop the yo-yo off and catch cleanly to complete the Hezy DNA.

DNA Yo-Yo Trick #7: Upside Down DNA

Level seven introduces the Upside Down DNA, a trick that pushes control to the limit. This variation flips the DNA completely and requires delicate handling of the yo-yo.

1. Start with a regular DNA

Throw strong and land into a clean finger spin whip, forming the standard DNA helix.

2. Pop the yo-yo up

From the DNA position, pop the yo-yo into the air while preparing your hand for the catch.

3. Whip the string midair

As the yo-yo rises, whip the string into the gap. This sets the yo-yo up for the inverted hold.

4. Lightly grab the yo-yo

Catch the top half of the yo-yo with your fingertips extremely lightly so the yo-yo can still spin freely.

5. Pull down to invert

Pull your hand downward while holding the yo-yo. This causes the string to snag and the helix to form upside down.

6. Hold steady

Keep your grip very light—too much pressure will kill the spin. You'll only have a couple of seconds before the yo-yo runs out of momentum.

7. Finish cleanly

Once the helix is visible and controlled, release and catch the yo-yo to complete the trick.

DNA Yo-Yo Trick #8: Ronaldo DNA

Level eight is the Ronaldo DNA, a god-tier variation that combines the inverted style of the Upside Down DNA with flashy leg bounces. This trick is all about precision and timing.

1. Begin like the Upside Down DNA

Start with a strong throw, pop the yo-yo into the air, and whip the string into the gap while it's midair.

2. Bounce off your first leg

As the string begins to snag, bounce the yo-yo off your leg at the exact same moment. This impact helps redirect the yo-yo while initiating the DNA spiral.

3. Pull your hand upward

Right after the leg bounce, pull your top hand up to lock in the helix. This step ensures the DNA begins to form properly.

4. Prepare for the second bounce

As the yo-yo begins to fall, get ready for another redirect. Timing here is critical—too early or too late will kill the spin.

5. Bounce off your other leg

Let the yo-yo bounce cleanly off your opposite leg and guide it back into a stable finger spin position.

6. Lock in the DNA

With control regained, the yo-yo should now be spinning in a proper DNA helix once again.

7. Catch and finish

Once you've shown control of the Ronaldo DNA, pop the yo-yo off your finger and catch cleanly to complete the trick.

DNA Yo-Yo Trick #9: 360 DNA

Level nine brings the 360 DNA, a high difficulty trick that combines the DNA with a full body spin. Timing and awareness are everything here, land it, and you'll have one of the flashiest DNA variations in your arsenal.

1. Start with a regular DNA

Throw strong, whip into a finger spin, and lock in a clean DNA helix on your pointer finger.

2. Pop the yo-yo upward

Once stable, pop the yo-yo high into the air. This gives you time to complete the spin and still catch the yo-yo.

3. Begin your 360 turn

As the yo-yo rises, start spinning your body to the right side. Commit to the full rotation hesitation will throw off the timing.

4. Track the yo-yo midair

Keep your eyes on the yo-yo throughout the spin. Spotting it early will help you line up your catch.

5. Catch the finger spin

As you complete the 360, locate the yo-yo midair and catch it back into a stable finger spin before it drops too far.

6. Finish smoothly

Land with a soft catch and avoid jerking the string. Once the helix is stable again, pop off and catch to end the trick.

DNA Yo-Yo Trick #10: Ghost DNA

Level ten is the Ghost DNA, one of the hardest DNA catches of them all. If you've made it this far, props to you. This trick requires precision, awareness, and the ability to catch the yo-yo from an awkward, blind position.

1. Start with a regular DNA

Throw hard, whip into a finger spin, and lock in a stable DNA helix.

2. Shift the DNA upward

Begin moving the DNA toward your left side, bringing your arm up and bending it completely over your head.

3. Pop behind the head

Pop the yo-yo up behind and over your head. This is the most difficult part, it's tricky to track the yo-yo while it's out of sight.

4. Find the yo-yo midair

Quickly spot the yo-yo in midair and prepare for the catch. The faster you react, the smoother the trick will flow.

5. Catch at your hip

Bring your finger down toward your hip and land the yo-yo into a finger spin.

6. Lock in the DNA

Once caught, stabilize the helix to complete the Ghost DNA.

How to Take Your DNA to the Next Level

The secret to not only leveling up your skills but also landing cleaner, longer lasting and cooler looking DNAs is using the right yo-yo and string.

That’s why we designed the DNA Yo-Yo and the DNA King. The DNA was the first yo-yo ever designed specifically for this trick, and the DNA King takes it a step further with its self-centering finger-spin technology, thumb grind area and competition inspired design.

But what does it take to design the ultimate finger-spin yo-yo? Discover the story behind the DNA King, the technology that makes it different and how we pushed the DNA further than ever before.

If you're not sure which yo-yo is right for you, check out my guide to the best yo-yos for the DNA trick, with options for every skill level.

But having the right yo-yo and the right skills only gets you so far because every time you do the DNA, your string tension changes. Eventually, the string can become so twisted that it makes your yo-yo harder to control.

You can stop and reset your string tension everytime it gets too tight or loose or you can use the secret setup many DNA players rely on: DNA String. Its patented swivel technology manages your string tension while you play, helping prevent twists and tangles so you can keep practicing and landing clean, consistent DNAs.

Looking for other beginner or professional yo-yos? You can check out the entire YoYoChampion collection here.

Join the DNA Yo-Yo Community

The DNA is so much more than a trick. Every player who learns it adds their own creativity and style to something that keeps evolving. Once you've mastered the basics, the real fun begins.

You can start experimenting with advanced challenges, like using a mini yo-yo or even hitting the DNA with four yo-yos at once. And if you really want to test your limits, there's nothing better than challenging your friends.

You can see it in action in the Ultimate DNA Yo-Yo Trick Battle here, where I (2x World Yo-Yo Champion Gentry Stein) faced off against content creator Angel2Up, world famous for his godspeed style, and Australian National Champion and youtuber, Brandon Vu.

Now it's your turn. Grab your DNA, try your first trick, and share your yo-yo journey with us! Tag @YoYoChampion and use #YoYoChampion so I can see your progress and maybe feature your clip in an upcoming video.