Posted by Gentry Stein
on August 11, 2026
Every yo-yo champion starts in the same place: with their first yo-yo.
Before I became a 2× World Yo-Yo Champion and 4× U.S. National Yo-Yo Champion, I was just an eight-year-old kid who got his first yo-yo and became obsessed with yo-yoing.
I started by learning the same beginner yo-yo tricks you’re about to learn, like the Sleeper, Walk the Dog, and Around the World. As I got better, I started learning modern string tricks, putting them together into combos, and constantly challenging myself to learn something new. One trick led to another, and little by little, I started to see just how much was possible with a yo-yo.
What started with that first yo-yo became a passion I would pursue for years. Through countless hours of practice, hard work, and dedication, yo-yoing has taken me places I never could have imagined when I first started.
But the trophies were only the beginning.
I’ve traveled around the world competing and performing, worked with incredible brands, appeared on TV shows and in movies, and turned something I love to do into a career.
Since then, I’ve gone on to design my own yo-yos and start my own yo-yo brand, YoYoChampion, and I’ve had the opportunity to teach thousands of players around the world, from kids picking up a yo-yo for the very first time to YoYoChampion sponsored players competing on the biggest stages.
When I look back at everything yo-yoing has brought into my life, it all started with my first yo-yo and learning the same beginner tricks you’re about to learn.
And if there’s one thing I’ve learned through all of it, it’s that the fundamentals matter. It’s easy to want to skip ahead to the hardest, coolest-looking tricks, but every great yo-yo player, including every World Champion, started by mastering the basic skills.
Each trick teaches you something new. Those skills build on one another, and little by little, tricks that once seemed impossible start to become possible.
That’s why I put together these 20 easy yo-yo tricks for beginners in the order I recommend learning them. We’ll start with the fundamentals and gradually work our way into string tricks, mounts, fingerspins, and eventually even the DNA.
What Yo-Yo Is Best for Learning Beginner Tricks?
Before we start learning tricks, I want to make sure you have a good beginner yo-yo to learn on, because this can make a huge difference when you’re just getting started.
After teaching thousands of players over the years, one of the most common mistakes I see is trying to learn with a yo-yo that wasn't designed for modern tricks. If your yo-yo doesn’t spin long enough, feels unstable, or doesn’t return consistently, even easy tricks can feel much harder than they actually are.
If you’re just starting out, I recommend the Yo-Yo Master Pack. It’s a set of three yo-yos designed to grow with you, taking you from your very first throw and classic beginner tricks all the way into unresponsive yo-yoing.
If you’re looking for a single responsive yo-yo to learn on instead, I recommend the Vyral. It’s durable, long-spinning, and has a fingerspin hub, so as your skills improve, you can start learning modern fingerspin tricks like the DNA.
Not sure which yo-yo is right for you? Check out my Best Plastic Yo-Yos guide to compare the YoYoChampion plastic lineup and find the right option for each stage of learning.
Or, if you want to explore everything from beginner to professional yo-yos, read my What Is the Best Yo-Yo? (Beginner to Pro Guide 2026) to compare the complete YoYoChampion lineup.
Before You Start: Make Sure Your Yo-Yo Is Set Up Correctly
Before you start learning tricks, take a minute to make sure your yo-yo is set up and ready to go.
- Is your yo-yo responsive? All 20 tricks in this beginner guide are meant to be learned with a responsive yo-yo, meaning it returns to your hand with a tug. Not sure what type of yo-yo you have? Read my Responsive vs. Unresponsive Yo-Yos guide.
- Is your yo-yo string set up correctly? Make sure your string is the right length for you, attached correctly, and not badly worn, frayed, tangled, or twisted. The slipknot should go around the middle finger of your throw hand. Start with my Yo-Yo String Length Guide to find the right length for your height, then follow my How to Put a String on a Yo-Yo guide to attach it correctly.
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Is your yo-yo wound up and positioned correctly in your hand? With your palm facing up, the string should come over the top of the yo-yo so it can roll smoothly off the ends of your fingers when you throw, without the string catching or getting stuck. If you’ve never wound a yo-yo before, start with my Easiest Way to Wind a Yo-Yo for Beginners. Later in this guide, I’ll also teach you a much faster way to wind it.
How to Use This Beginner Yo-Yo Trick Guide
The 20 tricks below are arranged in the order I recommend learning them, starting with basic yo-yo control and gradually building toward more advanced skills. Each trick includes a difficulty rating, a quick explanation, a World Champion Tip, and a video tutorial where I teach you the trick step by step.
Start with Trick #1 below and work your way through the guide at your own pace. You don’t need to master everything at once, focus on learning one trick at a time and building the skills you’ll need for what comes next.
1. Sleeper
Difficulty: ★☆☆☆☆
The Sleeper is the foundation of most yo-yo tricks and one of the first skills every beginner should learn. A Sleeper happens when the yo-yo spins at the bottom of the string instead of immediately returning to your hand. Learning to throw a strong, straight Sleeper gives you the spin time and control you’ll need for many of the tricks later in this guide.
How to Do the Sleeper
Hold the yo-yo with your palm facing up and the string coming over the top. Throw it straight down with a smooth, controlled motion and let it reach the bottom of the string. Keep your hand still and let the yo-yo spin. When you’re ready, flip your hand over and give the string a light tug to bring a responsive yo-yo back to your hand.
World Champion Tip: Don’t focus on throwing as hard as possible. A smooth, straight, controlled throw is more important than raw power and will help your yo-yo stay stable and spin longer.
▶ Watch Gentry’s Sleeper Tutorial
Having trouble getting a straight throw or making your yo-yo sleep? Read our complete How to Throw a Yo-Yo Beginner’s Guide for a deeper breakdown of throwing technique, longer sleepers, tilt, common mistakes, and troubleshooting.
If your yo-yo won’t stay spinning at the bottom of the string, read Why Won’t My Yo-Yo Sleep? Common Causes and How to Fix Them.
Is your yo-yo leaning, tilting, wobbling, or spinning sideways? Check out Why Does My Yo-Yo Tilt, Wobble, or Go Sideways? to learn what causes an unstable yo-yo and how to fix it.
2. Walk the Dog
Difficulty: ★☆☆☆☆
Walk the Dog is a classic beginner yo-yo trick that builds directly on the Sleeper. It’s a fun way to practice controlling a spinning yo-yo while building confidence with your throw and Sleeper.
How to Do Walk the Dog
Start with a strong, straight Sleeper. Swing the spinning yo-yo slightly behind you, then gently forward to give it some momentum. As it moves forward, lower it onto a smooth, clean floor and let it roll naturally. Follow the yo-yo for a few steps, then lift it off the ground while it’s still spinning and give the string a light tug to return it to your hand.
World Champion Tip: Always practice Walk the Dog on a smooth, clean surface. Concrete, asphalt, and other rough surfaces can quickly scratch or damage your yo-yo.
3. Forward Pass
Difficulty: ★☆☆☆☆
The Forward Pass teaches you to throw and catch the yo-yo in a new direction. Instead of throwing the yo-yo straight down like a Sleeper, you send it forward in front of you and bring it directly back to your hand. Learning the Forward Pass helps you develop better control over the direction, timing, and return of your throw.
How to Do the Forward Pass
Hold the yo-yo at your side with your palm facing down and the string positioned so the yo-yo can roll off your hand cleanly. Keep a loose grip, swing your arm straight forward, and release the yo-yo out in front of you. Keep your hand still as the yo-yo travels to the end of the string. As it starts to return, flip your palm up and let the yo-yo come directly back into your hand.
World Champion Tip: Don’t reach for the yo-yo as it comes back. Moving your hand changes where the yo-yo travels and makes it much harder to catch. Keep your hand straight out in front of you and let the yo-yo come to you.
▶ Watch Gentry’s Forward Pass Yo-Yo Trick Tutorial
4. Around the World
Difficulty: ★☆☆☆☆
The Around the World is one of the most famous classic beginner tricks where the yo-yo travels in a full circle around your body. It builds directly on the Forward Pass, but instead of stopping the yo-yo and letting it return, you continue its momentum through a complete rotation. This teaches you to control the yo-yo through a larger swinging motion while keeping tension on the string.
How to Do Around the World
Start just like a Forward Pass, with your palm facing down and the yo-yo at your side. Swing your arm forward and release the yo-yo, but instead of stopping your hand, continue the motion in a small circle to guide the yo-yo all the way around. Keep the string tight throughout the rotation. As the yo-yo completes the circle and swings forward again, pull it back toward you and catch it by your side.
World Champion Tip: Before throwing the yo-yo, let it hang at the end of the string and practice swinging it through a full circle. This will help you get comfortable controlling the motion before adding the throw. And always make sure you have plenty of open space around you!
▶ Watch Gentry’s Around the World Yo-Yo Trick Tutorial
5. Robin Hood
Difficulty: ★☆☆☆☆
The Robin Hood turns your yo-yo string into a bow and arrow. It starts with a Sleeper and requires about 10 seconds of spin to complete, making it a fun way to practice getting your Sleeper stronger and longer.
How to Do the Robin Hood
Start with a strong Sleeper. Reach your throw hand back as if you’re reaching for a bow, positioning the string over your thumb. With your other hand, grab the string in front of you and slowly pull it back to form the bow-and-arrow shape. Aim straight out in front of you, then release the string and let the spinning yo-yo return to your hand.
World Champion Tip: Pull the string back slowly and smoothly. If you pull too quickly, a responsive yo-yo can grab the string and return before you’re ready. If the yo-yo doesn’t make it all the way back to your hand at the end, keep practicing your Sleeper, you may just need a little more spin.
▶ Watch Gentry’s Robin Hood Yo-Yo Trick Tutorial
6. Elevator
Difficulty: ★★☆☆☆
The Elevator is one of the first string tricks beginners can learn, where the spinning yo-yo appears to ride up and down the string like an elevator. Unlike the tricks you’ve learned so far, the Elevator introduces you to guiding the string into the yo-yo’s gap while keeping the yo-yo straight and under control, an important skill for learning more advanced string tricks later.
How to Do the Elevator Yo-Yo Trick
Start with a strong Sleeper. Push the index finger of your opposite hand into the string, then bring your throw hand down toward the yo-yo and guide the string into the yo-yo’s gap. Keep your bottom hand directly underneath your top hand so the yo-yo stays straight. Slowly slide your opposite hand upward to make the yo-yo ride up the string, then lower your top hand to let it travel back down.
World Champion Tip: Keep your movements slow and smooth. One of the most common mistakes is moving your bottom hand to either side, which causes the yo-yo to tilt. Keep your hands aligned and take your time—the Elevator should smoothly ride up and down the string rather than bounce.
▶ Watch Gentry’s Elevator Yo-Yo Trick Tutorial
7. Rock the Baby
Difficulty: ★☆☆☆☆
The Rock the Baby is another famous classic beginner yo-yo trick where you create a triangular cradle with the string and rock the spinning yo-yo back and forth through it. It builds on your Sleeper while introducing you to creating and controlling string formations, an important skill for many tricks you'll learn later.
How to Do Rock the Baby
Start with a strong Sleeper. Wrap the string around the thumb and pinky of your opposite hand, then place your throw-hand index finger behind the string. Bring your opposite hand down with your palm facing up and spread the string apart to create a wide triangular cradle. Adjust the yo-yo's height so it can pass cleanly through the opening, then gently rock it back and forth through the triangle. When you're finished, release the formation and return the yo-yo to your hand.
World Champion Tip: Practice making the cradle with the yo-yo hanging at the bottom of the string before trying the trick with a spinning yo-yo. Keep the string near the tips of your fingers to make the triangle as wide as possible—the larger the opening, the easier it is to rock the yo-yo through without hitting the string.
▶ Watch Gentry’s Rock the Baby Yo-Yo Trick Tutorial
8. Eiffel Tower
Difficulty: ★★☆☆☆
The Eiffel Tower is a yo-yo trick that may look complicated at first, but with a little practice, it’s surprisingly easy to learn. You can practice creating the Eiffel Tower string formation with the yo-yo hanging at the bottom of the string before trying it with the yo-yo spinning.
How to Do the Eiffel Tower
Start with the yo-yo hanging at the bottom of the string. Hold your opposite hand in front of you with your palm facing outward, then wrap the string around your thumb and pinky. Bring your throw-hand thumb into the middle of the string, then lower your opposite hand and hook the string a few inches above the yo-yo with your index finger. Pull that section of string through the loop you’ve created, turn your hand down, and bring your middle finger toward the string to form the Eiffel Tower.
Once you can make the formation consistently, try the same steps after throwing a strong Sleeper.
World Champion Tip: Learn the formation without the yo-yo spinning first and break it down one step at a time. Keep your hands relatively close together so you have enough string to work with, and make sure the string doesn’t slip off your throw-hand thumb as you pull the loop through.
▶ Watch Gentry’s Eiffel Tower Yo-Yo Trick Tutorial
9. UFO
Difficulty: ★★☆☆☆
The UFO is a classic beginner yo-yo trick where the yo-yo spins sideways like a flying saucer. It’s also a useful trick for learning about yo-yo string tension, because performing the UFO in one direction tightens the string while the opposite direction loosens it.
How to Do the UFO
Hold the yo-yo sideways and bring your throw hand across your chest. Throw the yo-yo outward so it spins sideways, while placing the index finger of your opposite hand in the path of the string. Your finger stops the string while the yo-yo continues swinging outward, creating the UFO. To finish, pull your opposite hand back and the yo-yo will return toward your throw hand.
World Champion Tip: Focus on getting a clean sideways throw first. Once you’re comfortable with the motion, pay attention to your string tension. For a right-handed player, throwing the UFO across your chest tightens the string, while throwing it in the opposite direction loosens it. For a left-handed player, the directions are reversed.
The UFO is also the first trick in my 5 Beginner Tricks to Master the DNA tutorial. If your goal is to learn the DNA, follow the five-trick progression to build the skills you need to land your first DNA.
▶ Watch Gentry’s UFO Yo-Yo Trick Tutorial
Super Fast Yo-Yo Wind (The Flick Method)
Difficulty: ★★☆☆☆
Once you’ve learned how to wind your yo-yo by hand, the Flick Method is a much faster way to get your yo-yo spinning again. Instead of wrapping the string around the yo-yo every time it stops, you use tension in the string to flick the yo-yo into a spin and let a responsive yo-yo wind itself back up to your hand.
How to Do the Super Fast Yo-Yo Wind
Start with the yo-yo hanging at the bottom of the string. Place your pointer finger on one side of the yo-yo and your middle finger on the other, with the string running between them. Pull up with your throw hand while keeping the string tight between your fingers to build tension.
Then pull down firmly with your throw hand and let the yo-yo spin off the ends of your fingers. The yo-yo should begin winding itself back up the string. As it comes up, give it a slight upward pull and flip your throw hand over to help guide the yo-yo the rest of the way back to your hand.
World Champion Tip: Don’t worry if the yo-yo only winds halfway up at first. Getting enough spin and timing the upward pull takes some practice. Once you catch the yo-yo, make sure the string is coming off the top of the yo-yo before your next throw.
▶ Watch Gentry’s Super Fast Yo-Yo Wind Tutorial
Helix
Difficulty: ★★☆☆☆
The Helix is a beginner yo-yo trick that helps prepare you for the DNA. It teaches you the angled throw that makes the yo-yo turn sideways, an important skill you’ll use later when learning the DNA.
How to Do the Helix Yo-Yo Trick
Start with a strong throw aimed downward at roughly a 45-degree angle, rather than outward away from your body. Give the yo-yo a moment to turn sideways and let the Helix form naturally. If it doesn't form clearly, focus on throwing harder while keeping the yo-yo directly in front of you. Then tug the yo-yo back up and catch it.
World Champion Tip: The angle is everything. Too little angle and the yo-yo takes too long to turn sideways; too much angle and you lose spin power. Aim for roughly 45 degrees while still throwing straight down.
▶ Watch Gentry’s Step-by-Step Helix Yo-Yo Tutorial
Sidewinder
Difficulty: ★★☆☆☆
The Sidewinder is a useful yo-yo trick that also gives you a quick way to adjust your string tension while you play. As you practice, your string tension naturally becomes tighter or looser. Instead of taking the string off your finger to fix it, you can use the Sidewinder to twist the string in either direction.
How to Do the Sidewinder
Start with a strong Sleeper. Give the yo-yo a slight tug upward, then quickly move your throw hand down and to one side so it meets the rising yo-yo. As the string catches against the side of the spinning yo-yo, the yo-yo will turn sideways and rotate, changing the tension in the string.
You can perform the Sidewinder to either side depending on whether you need to tighten or loosen your string. For a right-handed player, moving your throw hand to the right loosens the string, while moving it to the left tightens it. For a left-handed player, the directions are reversed.
World Champion Tip: The Sidewinder is mostly about timing. If the yo-yo simply returns to your hand, try starting with your throw hand higher. As the yo-yo begins to rise, quickly move your hand down and to the side to meet it. It may take quite a few tries before you feel the timing.
▶ Watch Gentry’s Sidewinder Yo-Yo Trick Tutorial
Breakaway
Difficulty: ★★☆☆☆
The Breakaway is a side throw that becomes the foundation for many yo-yo string tricks. Instead of throwing the yo-yo straight down like a Sleeper, you throw it from the side and let it swing across the front of your body. Learning a straight, controlled Breakaway prepares you for many of the string tricks later in this guide.
How to Do the Breakaway
Start with the yo-yo in your throw hand just like you would for a regular throw, but turn your arm out to the side. Keep your arm relaxed and make sure the yo-yo is sitting straight in your hand.
Throw the yo-yo out to your side and let it swing in one fluid motion across the front of your body. As it reaches the opposite side, give the string a slight tug to bring your responsive yo-yo back to your hand.
As you practice, focus on keeping the yo-yo straight throughout the entire throw. If you're having trouble getting it to swing across your body, try throwing it slightly outward instead of straight toward the ground.
World Champion Tip: Find a straight line on the ground, like the edge between two flooring surfaces, or even a piece of string and stand behind it. Try to keep the yo-yo lined up with that line as it swings. This makes it much easier to see whether your Breakaway is straight.
▶ Watch Gentry’s Breakaway Yo-Yo Trick Tutorial
Boomerang
Difficulty: ★★☆☆☆
The Boomerang is a fun beginner trick where the yo-yo repeatedly launches forward and swings back onto the string. It builds on skills you learned in the Elevator, but adds more timing and control as you learn to line the string up with the gap of the yo-yo while it’s moving.
How to Do the Boomerang
Start with a strong Sleeper. Push your opposite pointer finger into the string, bring your throw hand down, and slide the yo-yo about halfway up the string. Bring your throw hand underneath the yo-yo to create an L shape with the string.
From the L shape, pull your bottom hand straight down to launch the yo-yo forward. As the yo-yo swings back toward you, line the string up with the gap of the yo-yo so it lands back on the string and recreates the L shape. Pull your bottom hand down again to send it forward. Practice this slowly at first, then gradually connect the movements into the smooth back-and-forth motion of the Boomerang.
World Champion Tip: Break the trick down one bounce at a time before trying to do it continuously. Keep your top and bottom hands lined up as you launch and catch the yo-yo, moving either hand too far to the side can tilt the yo-yo and make you miss the string. It also helps to perform the trick slightly to the side of your body so you can clearly see the string lining up with the yo-yo’s gap.
▶ Watch Gentry’s Boomerang Yo-Yo Trick Tutorial
Trapeze
Difficulty: ★★☆☆☆
The Trapeze is one of the most important beginner yo-yo string tricks and builds directly on the Breakaway. Instead of letting the yo-yo swing all the way across your body and return to your hand, you swing it over your opposite pointer finger and land it on the string. Learning the Trapeze builds the accuracy and control you’ll need for many of the string tricks that follow.
How to Do the Trapeze
Start with a straight Breakaway and let the yo-yo swing across the front of your body. Keep your opposite arm relaxed with your pointer finger extended and guide the yo-yo toward that finger.
As the yo-yo swings around your opposite pointer finger, let the string slide along your finger so the yo-yo gets as close to it as possible before landing on the string. This shortens the section of string you’re trying to land on and gives you much less room for error.
Make sure the yo-yo stays straight as it swings. The gap of the yo-yo needs to line up with the string for the landing to work.
Once the yo-yo lands on the string, pop it back off in the opposite direction, let it swing back over your pointer finger, and give the string a light tug to return your responsive yo-yo to your hand.
World Champion Tip: Practice the motion before trying it from a full throw. Let the yo-yo hang at the end of the string and gently swing it toward your opposite pointer finger. Start by letting the string touch your finger, then practice controlling the swing until you can bring the yo-yo all the way around. Once that motion feels comfortable, try it from a Breakaway.
▶ Watch Gentry’s Trapeze Yo-Yo Trick Tutorial
Brain Twister
Difficulty: ★★★☆☆
The Brain Twister is a beginner string trick where the yo-yo repeatedly flips around your hands while sitting on the string. It builds on some of the same string control you learned in the Elevator, but adds a continuous flipping motion that requires more timing, alignment, and control.
How to Do the Brain Twister
Start with a strong Sleeper. Push your opposite pointer finger into the string, bring your throw hand down toward the yo-yo, and slide the yo-yo a little less than halfway up the string. Wrap the string underneath the yo-yo so the yo-yo is sitting on the string with a loop around your opposite pointer finger.
From there, flip your throw hand over your opposite pointer finger to make the yo-yo rotate around. As you continue the motion, keep pushing your throw hand into the string so the yo-yo can make multiple flips without sliding back down. Keep your hands lined up to help the yo-yo stay straight, and point your opposite pointer finger slightly upward so the loop doesn’t slip off.
World Champion Tip: Start with one clean flip, then try two, and eventually work toward several smooth flips in a row. Brain Twister is more difficult than many of the tricks you’ve learned up to this point, so don’t worry if the yo-yo tilts or runs out of spin while you’re practicing.
▶ Watch Gentry’s Brain Twister Yo-Yo Trick Tutorial
Double or Nothing
Difficulty: ★★★★☆
The Double or Nothing is a string trick that builds directly on the Trapeze and becomes the foundation for many more advanced yo-yo tricks. Instead of landing after the first swing like a Trapeze, you let the yo-yo continue around your fingers before landing on the front string in a smaller Trapeze-like formation.
How to Do Double or Nothing
Start with a Breakaway, just like you would for a Trapeze. As the yo-yo swings around, let the string wrap around your opposite pointer finger, but instead of landing the yo-yo, allow it to continue around your throw-hand pointer finger and then back toward your opposite pointer finger.
Keep your hands a little closer together and let the string slide along your fingers to give the yo-yo enough room to continue around. As you come in for the final landing, point your fingers slightly upward so the earlier wraps slide toward the back of your fingers. Catch the newest string near the tip of your opposite pointer finger and land the yo-yo on that front string to complete the Double or Nothing.
To exit, swing the yo-yo back off your opposite pointer finger, drop the strings, and pull the yo-yo back to your hand.
World Champion Tip: Practice Double or Nothing without the yo-yo spinning first. Get comfortable letting the string slide across your fingers and controlling the swing before trying it from a spinning Breakaway. Breaking the trick into individual steps will make it much easier to learn — and much more consistent once you start landing it.
▶ Watch Gentry’s Double or Nothing Yo-Yo Trick Tutorial
Trapeze and His Brother
Difficulty: ★★★★☆
Trapeze and His Brother builds directly on the Trapeze and Double or Nothing. Instead of landing the yo-yo over your opposite pointer finger again, this trick teaches you to transfer the string and land the yo-yo over your throw hand pointer finger.
How to Do Trapeze and His Brother
Start by landing a Trapeze. As you swing the yo-yo back off the string, keep your opposite pointer and middle fingers close together. The string will transfer from your opposite pointer finger to your opposite middle finger as the yo-yo swings around. Get your throw hand pointer finger ready, let the yo-yo continue its swing, and land it back on the string over that finger.
Just like with Trapeze and Double or Nothing, let the string slide along your finger to control how much string is between your finger and the yo-yo. Keeping that distance short gives you less room for error and makes the landing easier.
World Champion Tip: If the yo-yo snags when it lands, make sure it doesn’t slide toward your throw hand. Lowering your opposite hand slightly creates an upward angle in the string that helps keep the yo-yo from sliding toward your throw hand and catching.
▶ Watch Gentry’s step-by-step Trapeze and His Brother tutorial
Stop and Go
Difficulty: ★★★★☆
The Stop and Go is a yo-yo trick where you intentionally stop the yo-yo from spinning and then restart it to continue the trick. It takes a little more timing and control than the earlier tricks in this guide, especially when learning how much to pull the string to stop and restart the yo-yo.
How to Do the Stop and Go
Start with a strong Sleeper. Push your opposite index finger into the string, bring your throw hand down below the yo-yo, and wrap the string around your opposite index finger. Pinch the loop with your thumb, then slightly lift your throw hand until you feel the yo-yo start to snag. Bring both hands up together to wind the yo-yo back up and stop it in your hand.
Hold the yo-yo straight with your thumb on one side and your fingers on the other. Keep your opposite hand still, then release the yo-yo while pulling your throw hand straight down to restart the spin. Finally, pull your opposite index finger out of the loop and let the yo-yo return to your hand.
World Champion Tip: The Stop and Go is all about timing and control. When restarting the yo-yo, make sure you pull your throw hand straight down instead of pulling your hands apart. Pulling at an angle can cause the yo-yo to tilt or restart incorrectly.
▶ Watch Gentry’s Stop and Go Yo-Yo Trick Tutorial
Tornado
Difficulty: ★★★☆☆
The Tornado puts together several of the skills you’ve already learned and gets you one step closer to doing the DNA. You’ll use the tilted throw from the Helix, get your opposite hand involved like the UFO, and practice lining your hand up with the yo-yo like the Sidewinder.
How to Do the Tornado Yo-Yo Trick
Start just like the UFO by throwing the yo-yo down at an angle and pushing your opposite pointer finger into the string about halfway up.
As the yo-yo begins tilting over, quickly raise your opposite finger upward, letting the string slide against it. This brings the yo-yo closer to your finger while creating momentum for the final part of the trick.
Try to time it so the yo-yo has just completely turned sideways when your opposite finger is only a couple of inches away. At that moment, pull your opposite finger away from the string while quickly bringing your throw hand down underneath the yo-yo.
As you let go of the string and line your bottom hand up underneath the rising yo-yo, a DNA formation will happen.
World Champion Tip: Timing is everything. Try to have the yo-yo finish turning sideways just as your opposite finger gets a couple of inches away. Then release the string and bring your bottom hand underneath the yo-yo at the same time.
▶ Watch Gentry’s Step-by-Step Tornado Yo-Yo Tutorial
DNA
Difficulty: ★★★★☆
The DNA is one of the most recognizable modern yo-yo tricks in the world, but it’s easier to learn than it looks. And if you’ve worked your way through this guide, you’ve already practiced many of the skills that will help you land it.
The UFO, Helix, Sidewinder, and Tornado have each taught you different parts of the control you’ll need. Now it’s time to put those skills together and land your first DNA.
How to Do the Responsive DNA Yo-Yo Trick
Start with a strong throw, but don’t throw the yo-yo straight down. Instead, throw it at about a 45° angle. You want a powerful spin so the yo-yo has enough speed to balance on your finger and complete the trick.
As the yo-yo begins to tilt sideways, raise it to around belly-button height and bring the index finger of your opposite hand underneath it. Line your finger up as close as possible to the center fingerspin cup and wait for the yo-yo to naturally fall onto your finger.
Once it lands, keep your finger centered and line up your string hand directly above the yo-yo. The string will catch and begin wrapping around the spinning yo-yo, creating the DNA.
World Champion Tip: Be patient and let the yo-yo do the work. One of the biggest mistakes beginners make is rushing the fingerspin and pushing their finger into the yo-yo. Get your finger underneath it, let the yo-yo naturally fall onto your finger, and keep your top hand lined up.
▶ Watch Gentry’s Step-by-Step Responsive DNA Yo-Yo Tutorial
Want more help learning the DNA? My Easiest Way to Do the DNA Yo-Yo Trick guide breaks this beginner method down in more detail, with additional tips, common mistakes, and troubleshooting to help you land your first DNA. For an even deeper look at the trick, explore my Ultimate Guide to the DNA Yo-Yo Trick for a complete beginner-to-pro breakdown of the DNA and how to keep progressing.
What’s Next After Learning These Beginner Yo-Yo Tricks?
Finishing these 20 tricks doesn’t mean you have to stop playing responsive. There are hundreds of tricks you can continue learning on a responsive yo-yo, and you can keep building your control, learning new string tricks, creating combos, and improving the tricks you already know.
But as your skills improve, you may decide you’re ready to take the next step into unresponsive yo-yoing. Unresponsive yo-yos don’t return with a simple tug, but they can spin longer and give you more freedom for advanced string tricks and combos.
If you’re ready to make that transition, the first thing you’ll need to learn is the bind, which is how you bring an unresponsive yo-yo back to your hand. Follow my How to Bind an Unresponsive Yo-Yo guide to learn it step by step, then start using the skills you’ve built in this guide to learn your first unresponsive tricks.
And if you’re ready to choose your first metal unresponsive yo-yo, check out my Best Beginner Metal Yo-Yo (2026) guide, where I explain when to upgrade, what to look for, and how to choose the right first metal yo-yo.
Learning to Maintain Your Unresponsive Yo-Yo
As you start learning unresponsive yo-yoing, you’ll also want to understand a few basics about how your yo-yo works and how to maintain it. You don’t need to learn everything at once, but knowing how to take care of a bearing and response pads will help keep your yo-yo playing the way it should.
Start with How to Clean a Yo-Yo Bearing to learn when and how to clean your bearing, and What Are Yo-Yo Response Pads? to understand what they do and when they need to be replaced.
As you play more, you may also notice changes in how your yo-yo sounds or responds. If your yo-yo suddenly gets louder or starts making unusual sounds, read Why Is My Yo-Yo Loud? When It's Normal and When It's a Problem. And if your unresponsive yo-yo suddenly starts returning with a tug when it shouldn’t, my Why Is My Unresponsive Yo-Yo Responsive? guide explains the most common causes and how to fix them.
What Is the Best First Unresponsive Yo-Yo?
Many players learn unresponsive yo-yoing on the Replay Pro, the third yo-yo in the Yo-Yo Master Pack. It’s a durable plastic unresponsive yo-yo with enough performance to take you far beyond the beginner level. In fact, it’s the same yo-yo I used to win the 2015 U.S. National Yo-Yo Contest.
If you’re ready to upgrade to your first metal yo-yo, the G Speed is another great next step. A quality metal yo-yo offers greater stability, spin time, and precision, giving you even more room to grow as your tricks become longer and more technical.
There’s no rush to make the transition. Everyone progresses at their own pace. But when you’re comfortable with the fundamentals and ready to see how far you can take your yo-yoing, unresponsive play is where the next chapter begins.
Frequently Asked Questions About Beginner Yo-Yo Tricks
Have more questions about learning yo-yo tricks? Here are answers to some of the most common questions beginners have about easy yo-yo tricks, learning the basics, and getting started.
What Is the Easiest Yo-Yo Trick?
The Sleeper is one of the easiest yo-yo tricks for beginners and typically the first yo-yo trick you’ll learn. To do a Sleeper, throw the yo-yo straight down and let it spin at the bottom of the string before returning it to your hand.
The Sleeper teaches you how to make a strong, straight throw and keep the yo-yo spinning—two fundamental skills you’ll use throughout yo-yoing. Once you can consistently throw a good Sleeper, you’re ready to move on to other easy beginner tricks like Walk the Dog, Forward Pass, and Around the World.
Having trouble with your throw or getting the yo-yo to sleep? Read the complete How to Throw a Yo-Yo (Step-by-Step Beginner Guide from a World Champion) for a detailed breakdown, or watch How to Setup Your Yoyo (Episode 2 in the Learn Tricks With a World Champion Series) to learn the setup, throw, Sleeper, and return technique on video.
What Are the Best Yo-Yo Tricks for Beginners?
The best yo-yo tricks for beginners are the Sleeper, Walk the Dog, Forward Pass, Around the World, Rock the Baby, Elevator, and Trapeze. These tricks are a great place to start because they teach the fundamental skills every beginner needs, including throwing, catching, keeping the yo-yo spinning, and controlling the yo-yo and string.
Once you’re comfortable with the basics, progress to foundational string tricks like the Breakaway, Brain Twister, and Double or Nothing. From there, you can begin learning more modern tricks like the Helix, Tornado, and DNA.
Having the right beginner yo-yo can make these tricks much easier to learn. Look for a responsive yo-yo designed specifically for learning tricks rather than a basic toy yo-yo. If you want a setup that can grow with you, the Yo-Yo Master Pack was designed as a three-step progression—from learning your first throws and easy beginner tricks to the DNA and eventually unresponsive yo-yoing.
What Are Some Easy Yo-Yo Tricks?
Some easy yo-yo tricks for beginners are the Sleeper, Walk the Dog, Forward Pass, Around the World, Rock the Baby, and Elevator. These are great first tricks because they use simple movements while helping you build the throwing, catching, timing, and control skills you’ll need for more advanced yo-yo tricks.
As your control improves, you can start learning easy modern tricks like the Trapeze, UFO, Sidewinder, and even the responsive DNA.
There are many more beginner-friendly responsive yo-yo tricks to explore as your skills improve. Start with the 20 easy beginner yo-yo tricks in this guide and work through them at your own pace. From there, you can continue building your skills and progress into more advanced modern yo-yoing.
How Do You Learn Yo-Yo Tricks Step by Step?
The best way to learn yo-yo tricks step by step is to start with a responsive yo-yo and build your skills one trick at a time. Begin by learning a strong, straight throw and Sleeper, then move on to classic beginner tricks like Walk the Dog, Around the World, Rock the Baby, and Elevator. From there, progress to beginner string tricks like the Breakaway, Trapeze, Brain Twister, and Double or Nothing.
If you want to learn the DNA, first build the individual skills that make the trick easier by learning the Helix, UFO, Sidewinder, and Tornado. Once you’re comfortable with those movements, you’ll be ready to put those skills together and learn the responsive DNA.
Having the right yo-yo at each stage can make learning easier, too. The Yo-Yo Master Pack was designed as a three-step progression system that grows with you as your skills improve—from your first throws and responsive beginner tricks, through tricks like the DNA, and eventually into unresponsive yo-yoing. Each yo-yo is designed for a different stage of the learning process, so you can progress when you’re ready without your beginner setup holding you back.
Everyone learns at a different pace, so focus on learning each movement rather than rushing through the list. Use the written instructions in this guide for a quick breakdown, then watch the step-by-step video tutorial under each trick when you’re ready to learn the complete technique.
What Yo-Yo Is Best for Beginners?
The best yo-yo for a beginner is a durable, responsive yo-yo that is easy to control, spins long enough to learn tricks, and returns reliably to your hand with a tug. A good beginner yo-yo should be stable and forgiving while you develop a straight throw and basic control, but still have enough performance to let you progress into more advanced beginner tricks as your skills improve.
If you’re looking for a complete setup that can take you from your first beginner tricks all the way into unresponsive yo-yoing, I recommend the Yo-Yo Master Pack. I designed it as a three-step progression system, with each yo-yo serving a purpose as your skills develop. You can start with your first throw, learn classic beginner tricks, work your way up to modern tricks like the DNA, and eventually progress to unresponsive play.
If you’re looking for one plastic responsive yo-yo, the Vyral is my recommendation. Its ball-bearing design gives you plenty of spin time to learn and practice tricks, while its durable plastic construction can handle the drops and mistakes that naturally come with learning. It also has a dedicated fingerspin hub, so you can progress beyond the basics and learn modern viral tricks like the DNA.
Once you’ve mastered the responsive basics and are ready for your first metal unresponsive yo-yo, I recommend the G Speed. I designed it to balance the qualities that matter most when learning unresponsive yo-yoing: stability, long spin times, a forgiving catch zone, and comfortable, balanced performance. It’s easy to learn your first unresponsive tricks on, but capable enough to continue growing with you as your tricks become faster, longer, and more advanced.
For more help choosing the right yo-yo, check out my Best Plastic Yo-Yo Guide to compare plastic yo-yos for every stage of learning. If you’re ready to make the jump to metal and unresponsive play, read my Best Beginner Metal Yo-Yo Guide to learn how to choose your first metal yo-yo. Or, to compare every YoYoChampion yo-yo from beginner to pro, read my What Is the Best Yo-Yo? Beginner to Pro Guide to find the right yo-yo for your skill level and goals.
How Do You Make a Yo-Yo Sleep?
To make a yo-yo sleep, give it a strong, straight throw and let it spin at the bottom of the string instead of immediately returning it to your hand. Keep your palm facing up during the throw, let the yo-yo reach the bottom of the string, and then allow it to spin. This spinning position is called a Sleeper.
The key to a long Sleeper is a clean, straight, and smooth throw. If the yo-yo is thrown at an angle, flipped too early, or doesn’t have enough spin, it may tilt, lose speed, or return before you want it to. Once you’re ready to bring a responsive yo-yo back, flip your hand over and give the string a light tug.
The Sleeper is one of the most important fundamentals in yo-yoing because the spin you create at the bottom of the string gives you the time to perform tricks. Learning to throw a strong, straight Sleeper will make almost every beginner trick easier.
For the complete technique, troubleshooting, and tips for getting longer spin times, read How to Throw a Yo-Yo (Step-by-Step Beginner Guide from a World Champion).
How Do You Walk the Dog With a Yo-Yo?
To Walk the Dog with a yo-yo, start with a strong Sleeper, gently lower the spinning yo-yo onto a smooth, flat surface, and let it roll forward along the ground. Before the yo-yo loses too much spin, give the string a light tug to return it to your hand.
A strong, straight Sleeper is especially important for Walk the Dog. If the yo-yo is tilted when it touches the ground, it may turn or roll off to one side instead of traveling straight.
Always practice Walk the Dog on a smooth surface. Rough surfaces like concrete or pavement can quickly scratch and damage your yo-yo.
How Do You Throw a Yo-Yo?
To throw a yo-yo, hold it with your palm facing up and the string coming over the top, then use a smooth, straight throwing motion to send the yo-yo down the string and into a Sleeper. The goal is a strong, straight, controlled throw that keeps the yo-yo balanced and spinning long enough to perform tricks.
As a 2× World Yo-Yo Champion who has taught thousands of beginners around the world, I teach the basic yo-yo throw in three simple steps: Make a Muscle, Backwards High-Five, then Wait and Catch. Hold the yo-yo up by your ear like you’re making a muscle, use a backwards high-five motion to snap and release the yo-yo straight down, then wait until it reaches the bottom before flipping your hand over and giving a light tug to return it.
One of the most common beginner mistakes is trying to throw, flip the hand, and return the yo-yo all at once. Throw first, let the yo-yo reach the bottom, then flip your hand and bring it back. Keeping those movements separate helps your yo-yo stay straighter, spin longer, and makes your first tricks much easier to learn.
For photos, troubleshooting, and the complete technique, read How to Throw a Yo-Yo (Step-by-Step Beginner Guide from a World Champion).
How Do You Wind a Yo-Yo?
The easiest way to wind a responsive yo-yo is to hold the yo-yo in your non-throw hand and lightly wrap the string over the top, letting the string catch naturally as you continue winding. Keep the first few wraps light rather than pulling the string tightly, then continue winding smoothly until you reach the end of the string.
There are many ways to wind a yo-yo, from this simple beginner method to much faster techniques you can learn as your skills improve. These include the Super Fast Yo-Yo Wind (The Flick Method), the Stomp Yo-Yo Wind, where you use your foot to quickly start the wind, and other advanced techniques that can get your yo-yo wound and ready to throw in seconds.
If you’re using an unresponsive yo-yo, winding works a little differently. Because the string doesn’t catch as easily, you’ll usually need to place your finger over the string and wrap it around the axle a few times first, then remove your finger and continue winding normally.
For the complete beginner method, unresponsive winding instructions, common mistakes, and faster ways to wind your yo-yo, read Easiest Way to Wind a Yo-Yo for Beginners.
How Do You Do Around the World With a Yo-Yo?
To do Around the World with a yo-yo, start with a strong Forward Pass, but instead of returning the yo-yo to your hand, let it sleep at the end of the string and use its momentum to swing it in a full 360-degree circle. Keep the string taut and guide the yo-yo in a smooth, straight circle until it comes back around, then return it to your hand and catch it with your palm facing up.
If you’re having trouble, practice your Forward Pass first. A strong, straight Forward Pass gives the yo-yo the spin and momentum it needs to travel all the way Around the World while staying under control.
Because the yo-yo travels in a full circle around you, make sure you have plenty of open space and no people or objects nearby before practicing this trick.
For the complete technique and video demonstration, follow the step-by-step Around the World yo-yo tutorial.
How Do You Rock the Baby With a Yo-Yo?
To Rock the Baby with a yo-yo, start with a strong Sleeper, use the string to create a large triangle or “cradle,” then swing the spinning yo-yo back and forth through the center of the triangle. Keep the cradle wide and your hands steady so the yo-yo has plenty of room to swing without hitting the string.
If you’re having trouble making the cradle, practice the string formation with the yo-yo stopped first. Once you can create the triangle easily, throw a Sleeper and try the complete trick.
For the complete hand placement, cradle formation, and video demonstration, follow the step-by-step Rock the Baby yo-yo tutorial.
What Are the Best Beginner Yo-Yo String Tricks?
Some of the best beginner yo-yo string tricks are the Trapeze, Brain Twister, Double or Nothing, and Man on the Flying Trapeze and His Brother. These tricks teach you how to land the yo-yo on the string, control different string segments, and learn foundational mounts that you'll use as you progress into more advanced string tricks.
Before moving into side-style string tricks, learn a strong Breakaway. The Breakaway is the sideways throw used to enter tricks like the Trapeze and Double or Nothing, making it one of the most important skills to learn as you begin string play.
You can learn these beginner string tricks on a responsive yo-yo, so you don't need to switch to an unresponsive yo-yo right away. Learning the fundamentals responsively can help prepare you for longer combinations and more advanced string tricks when you eventually make the transition to unresponsive play.
What Are the Best Yo-Yo Tricks for Beginners?
Some of the best yo-yo tricks for beginners are classic tricks like the Sleeper, Walk the Dog, Forward Pass, Around the World, Rock the Baby, and Elevator. These are great tricks to learn first because they help build the fundamental throwing, catching, spin, timing, and yo-yo control skills you’ll use as you progress.
Once you’re comfortable with the classics, you can move into beginner string tricks like the Breakaway, Trapeze, Brain Twister, and Double or Nothing, where you’ll begin learning how to land the yo-yo on the string and control different mounts and string formations.
Eventually, you can work toward modern tricks like the DNA. Before learning the responsive DNA, I recommend building the skills that lead up to it with tricks like the UFO, Helix, Sidewinder, and Tornado. Each one teaches you a different part of the control you’ll need to make the DNA easier to learn.
