5 Beginner Yo-Yo Tricks to Learn Before Your First DNA: Step-by-Step Tutorials by a 2× World Yo-Yo Champion

The DNA isn’t just another yo-yo trick. It’s become one of the most recognizable yo-yo tricks in the world. It may look difficult at first, but learning a few key skills beforehand can make landing your first DNA much easier.

I’m Gentry Stein, a 2× World Yo-Yo Champion, and I’ve taught thousands of people how to yo-yo around the world. In this guide, I’ll teach you five beginner yo-yo tricks that build the skills you need for the DNA, one step at a time.

If you’re completely new to yo-yoing, start with the basics first: learn how to set up and wind your yo-yo, throw a strong Sleeper, and practice a few classic beginner tricks. Once you’re comfortable controlling your yo-yo, you’re ready to start this progression.

The first four tricks below build the skills you need for the DNA. You’ll learn how to control the angled throw, tilt, timing, and hand positioning before putting everything together in Trick #5: your first DNA.

If you want to learn more about the trick itself, including its history, different variations, and how it became one of the most recognizable tricks in yo-yoing, check out my Ultimate Guide to the DNA Yo-Yo Trick.

What Yo-Yo Do You Need to Learn These Tricks?

You’ll want a responsive yo-yo to learn the five beginner tricks in this guide. Responsive yo-yos return to your hand with a tug, making them ideal for learning the Helix, UFO, Sidewinder, Tornado, and your first DNA without needing to learn a bind first.

To learn the DNA, you’ll also want a yo-yo designed for fingerspin tricks. A good fingerspin area helps guide your finger toward the center of the yo-yo, making it much easier to land and control your first fingerspin.

If you’re just getting started, I recommend the Vyral Yo-Yo. It’s a responsive beginner yo-yo designed to help you progress from your first throw and classic beginner tricks all the way to your first DNA.

For an even better DNA setup, pair the Vyral with DNA String. Its built-in swivel helps manage string-tension buildup as you practice, making it easier to get longer, cleaner DNAs without constantly stopping to fix your string tension. DNA String also comes in Short and Long sizes, so you can choose the length that works best for you.

Once you have your yo-yo ready, you’re ready to start learning. Watch the full video tutorial below, or keep scrolling to follow each trick step by step.

Watch: 5 Beginner Yo-Yo Tricks to Learn Before the DNA

Want to see the full progression in action? Watch the video below as I teach all five tricks step by step, from the Helix all the way to your first DNA.

If you prefer written instructions, keep scrolling. I’ll break down each trick step by step and share additional tips to help you along the way.

Ready to give it a try? Let’s start with the first trick and build your way up to the DNA.

Trick #1: The Helix

The first trick is the Helix. This trick teaches you the angled throwing technique used in the DNA. If you already know how to throw a strong sleeper, you have what it takes to learn this one.

Instead of throwing the yo-yo straight down like a normal sleeper, you’ll throw it at about a 45° angle. This causes the yo-yo to gradually tilt sideways and form the Helix.

Step-by-Step Instructions for the Helix Trick

1. Start with a normal sleeper, but throw the yo-yo straight down at about a 45° angle instead of straight up and down.
2. Let the yo-yo spin and wait a couple of seconds for it to turn over and tilt sideways.
3. If your throw is powerful enough, the Helix formation will appear as the yo-yo spins sideways.
4. After a couple of seconds, tug the yo-yo up and catch it.

Tips for Getting the Helix Right

• Find the right angle. If you don’t throw at enough of an angle, the yo-yo will take too long to turn over and lose too much spin. If you throw at too much of an angle, you won’t be able to get a fast enough spin.
• Throw down, not outward. If the yo-yo swings away from you, focus on throwing it straight down while keeping the yo-yo angled. This will help it stay in front of you and under control.
• Throw harder if the Helix isn’t forming. A faster spin helps create the Helix formation. If the yo-yo doesn’t make it all the way back to your hand after the trick, that’s another sign you need a stronger throw.

💡 Pro Tip: Practicing the Helix will naturally tighten or loosen your string. Throw the Helix with the opposite tilt to undo the string tension and bring your string back to normal.

Trick #2: The UFO

Once you’ve mastered the Helix, you’re ready for the UFO. This trick uses the same 45° angled throw, but now you’ll start using your opposite hand to control the string. This gets you comfortable using the hand that will eventually become your fingerspin hand for the DNA.

Step-by-Step Instructions for The UFO Trick 

1. Start with the same 45° angled throw you used for the Helix.
2. Before the yo-yo tilts completely sideways, push the pointer finger on your opposite hand against the string from the same side you threw the yo-yo.
3. Aim for the middle of the string to get the best UFO.
4. Slowly pull your throw hand down and back. This will bring the yo-yo up closer to your opposite pointer finger.
5. Let the UFO spin for a few seconds, then quickly pull your pointer finger away from the string and the yo-yo will jump back to your hand.

Tips for Getting the UFO Right

• Throw with enough power. Just like with the Helix, if your throw isn’t strong enough, the UFO won’t look right and the yo-yo may not have enough power to return to your hand.
• Watch your string tension. Just like with the Helix, practicing the UFO can tighten or loosen your string. If this happens, perform the trick with the yo-yo tilted in the opposite direction to help bring your string tension back to normal.

💡 Pro Tip: The UFO shows you how to use your opposite hand to control the string. Getting comfortable with this movement prepares you to use that same hand for the fingerspin when you learn the DNA.

Trick #3: The Sidewinder

The Sidewinder teaches one of the most important skills for landing the DNA: lining up your hand with the yo-yo at exactly the right time. Getting comfortable with this timing and alignment will make the DNA much easier.

Step-by-Step Instructions for the Sidewinder Trick

1. Start by throwing a regular sleeper straight down.
2. Tug the yo-yo upward, then immediately karate chop your throw hand down and out to the side of the yo-yo.
3. Stop your hand when it’s directly in line with the yo-yo. Your hand and the yo-yo should reach this position at the same time.
4. Aim to pull the yo-yo up to about chest height. This makes it easier to naturally line up your hand with the yo-yo. 

Tips for Getting the Sidewinder Right

• Don’t move your hand too far down. If you karate chop past the yo-yo, it will jump back to your hand.
• Don’t pull the yo-yo too high. Pulling too high can also cause it to return instead of forming the Sidewinder.
• Focus on timing. Your hand and the yo-yo need to line up at the same moment. This trick can be frustrating at first, but it gets easier with practice.
• Practice both directions. The opposite direction may feel awkward because you have to karate chop across your body, but learning both sides lets you control your string tension.
  

💡 Pro Tip: Use the Sidewinder to Adjust String Tension. A Sidewinder to the right tightens the string, while a Sidewinder to the left loosens it, no matter which hand you throw with. If your string becomes too tight or loose while practicing, use the Sidewinder in the direction needed to bring the tension back to normal.

Trick #4: The Tornado

Now it’s time to put the first three skills together. The Tornado combines the angled throw from the Helix, opposite-hand control from the UFO, and hand alignment from the Sidewinder to create a mini DNA formation. 

Step-by-Step Instructions for the Tornado Trick

1. Start just like the UFO by throwing the yo-yo down at about a 45° angle.
2. Push your opposite pointer finger against the string halfway up, just like you did for the UFO.
3. As the yo-yo starts tilting sideways, quickly raise your opposite pointer finger upward, letting the string slide against it. This brings the yo-yo closer to your finger and creates momentum for the final part of the trick.
4. Time the movement so the yo-yo is just turning completely sideways when your opposite pointer finger is only a couple of inches away from it.
5. At that moment, pull your opposite finger away from the string while quickly bringing your throw hand down underneath the yo-yo.
6. As you release the string and the yo-yo moves upward, keep your bottom hand lined up with the yo-yo. If your timing and alignment are right, you’ll see the DNA formation appear.

Once you can land the Tornado, there’s only one skill left to add: the fingerspin. Put everything together, and you’re ready to learn the full DNA.

Trick #5: The DNA 

Now it’s time to put all the skills you’ve learned together and add the fingerspin. With a responsive yo-yo, the key is to be patient, keep everything lined up, and let the yo-yo naturally fall onto your finger.

Step-by-Step Instructions for The DNA Trick 

1. Throw the yo-yo at about a 45° angle. Use a strong, powerful throw so the yo-yo has enough spin to balance on your finger and complete the DNA.
2. Raise the yo-yo in front of your belly button. Let the yo-yo naturally start to tilt sideways. Be patient and don’t try to force it over.
3. Line up your opposite pointer finger underneath the yo-yo. Position your finger as close as possible to the fingerspin cup without touching the yo-yo, then wait as it continues to tilt.
4. Let the yo-yo naturally fall onto your finger. Don’t push your finger into the yo-yo or rush the fingerspin. As the yo-yo finishes turning sideways, let it fall onto your finger on its own.
5. Line up your top hand and let the DNA form. Once the yo-yo is spinning on your finger, line up your top hand (the hand the string is attached to) directly above the yo-yo and keep it aligned as the DNA forms.

Need more help landing the DNA? Follow my beginner guide to the easiest way to do the DNA yo-yo trick for a more detailed breakdown of each step, or keep reading for more tips to help you get it right.

World Champion Tips for Landing Your First DNA

Learning the DNA takes practice, so don’t worry if you don’t land it right away. Be patient, follow the steps above, and focus on improving one part of the trick at a time. Here are a few of my biggest tips for landing your first DNA.

Get the 45° throw right. Throw the yo-yo down at about a 45° angle, not outward away from your body. Too little angle makes the yo-yo take longer to tilt, while too much angle can make it harder to get a powerful spin.

Throw with enough power. The yo-yo needs a fast, powerful spin to stay stable on your finger and have enough spin left to complete the DNA.

Be patient with the tilt. Give the yo-yo time to naturally turn sideways. Don't rush the fingerspin before the yo-yo is in position.

Don't push your finger into the yo-yo. This is one of the biggest mistakes beginners make. Keep your pointer finger underneath the yo-yo and let the yo-yo naturally fall onto it. Pushing your finger into the yo-yo can make it pop back to your hand.

Aim for the center of the fingerspin cap. Position your pointer finger as close to the center as possible and keep it steady once the yo-yo lands.

Keep your hands aligned. Once you land the fingerspin, keep your string hand directly above the yo-yo as the DNA forms.

Manage your string tension. String tension can build up quickly while practicing the DNA and make it harder to get a long, clean formation.

You can let the yo-yo hang and untwist naturally, run your fingers down the string to help release the twists, or use the Sidewinder to adjust the tension while you play. 

For an easier option, DNA String has a built-in swivel that helps manage string-tension buildup so you can spend more time practicing and get longer, cleaner DNAs.

Once you land your first DNA and start getting it consistently, you might be wondering: what’s next?

Yo-yoing is a lifelong journey, and there’s always another trick or skill to learn. Landing the DNA is a huge milestone, but it can also be the beginning of the next stage of your progression.

What Should You Learn After Your First DNA?

There are still tons of responsive yo-yo tricks you can learn after landing your first DNA. But eventually, most players reach a point where they feel comfortable with the basics and want to start learning more difficult tricks. That’s when you’ll want to make the transition to unresponsive yo-yoing.

The first trick you’ll need to learn is how to bind a yo-yo. Unlike a responsive yo-yo, an unresponsive yo-yo won’t return to your hand with a simple tug, so learning the bind is essential. Once you can bind consistently, start practicing beginner unresponsive yo-yo tricks to get comfortable with your new setup.

If you want to eventually learn the DNA on an unresponsive yo-yo, the DNA Yo-Yo is a great option for your first unresponsive setup. You can use it to learn the basics of unresponsive yo-yoing and progress through new tricks, while its dedicated fingerspin area gives you the setup you’ll need to eventually work your way up to your first unresponsive DNA.

If you’re ready for something more advanced, the DNA King takes fingerspin performance to the next level with its self-centering fingerspin technology and competition-level design. Pair either one with DNA String for longer, cleaner DNA tricks and better string-tension control. 

As your unresponsive skills improve, you can come back and learn how to do the DNA on an unresponsive yo-yo, opening the door to longer fingerspins and more advanced variations. When you’re ready for your next challenge, work your way through my 10 DNA Yo-Yo Tricks From Easy to Hard.

Not sure which yo-yo is right for you? Check out my guide to the best yo-yos for the DNA trick.

DNA Yo-Yo Trick FAQs

Still have questions about learning the DNA? Here are answers to some of the most common questions beginners have about the trick, from what to learn first to choosing the right yo-yo and fixing common problems.

What tricks should I learn before the DNA?

If you’re completely new to yo-yoing, start with the basics on a responsive beginner yo-yo: learn how to wind your yo-yo, throw a strong Sleeper, and comfortably control the yo-yo. From there, start learning classic beginner tricks and gradually work your way into more modern tricks. You can follow my 20 Easy Yo-Yo Tricks for Beginners: Step-by-Step Guide, which takes you from the fundamentals all the way to modern tricks like the DNA.

If you want to focus specifically on building the skills for your first DNA, learn the Helix, UFO, Sidewinder, and Tornado. These four tricks progressively teach the angled throw, opposite-hand control, timing, and hand alignment you’ll need before putting everything together to land your first responsive DNA.

Can beginners learn the DNA yo-yo trick?

Yes. Beginners can learn the DNA yo-yo trick, especially when they start with a responsive yo-yo and build the necessary skills one step at a time. You don’t need to be an advanced player, but you should be comfortable winding your yo-yo, throwing a strong sleeper, and controlling a few basic tricks first.

The easiest way to work toward your first DNA is to break it into smaller skills. In this guide, you’ll learn the Helix, UFO, Sidewinder, and Tornado, which progressively build the angled throw, opposite-hand control, timing, and hand alignment you’ll need before adding the fingerspin and landing your first responsive DNA.

How long does it take to learn the DNA yo-yo trick?

How long it takes to learn the DNA depends on your experience and how consistently you practice. Some beginners may land their first DNA within a few hours, while others may take days or weeks.

Learning the skills that make up the DNA first can make the trick much easier. If you’re comfortable with basic yo-yo control and practice the Helix, UFO, Sidewinder, and Tornado in this guide, you’ll already be developing the angled throw, opposite-hand control, timing, and hand alignment you need before adding the fingerspin.

Most importantly, don’t worry about how quickly you learn it. Focus on one skill at a time, keep practicing, and your first DNA will come with time.

Do you need a special yo-yo to do the DNA?

You don’t technically need a special yo-yo to do the DNA, but a yo-yo designed for fingerspin tricks makes learning the DNA much easier. A yo-yo without a dedicated fingerspin area is much harder to balance on your finger, especially as a beginner. Even advanced and professional players typically prefer yo-yos designed for fingerspins when performing DNA tricks.

For beginners, I recommend a responsive plastic yo-yo with a fingerspin cap or hub that helps guide your finger toward the center and makes the fingerspin easier to land and control. The Vyral Yo-Yo is designed for this purpose, making it a great choice for learning your first responsive DNA.

Should I learn the DNA on a responsive or unresponsive yo-yo?

If you’re learning your first DNA, I recommend starting with a responsive yo-yo, like the Vyral. The responsive DNA has fewer steps because the yo-yo can return to your hand automatically, allowing you to focus on the throw, tilt, timing, hand alignment, and fingerspin.

Once you’re comfortable with the basics and ready to move into unresponsive yo-yoing, learn how to bind and practice beginner unresponsive tricks first. A fingerspin-friendly unresponsive yo-yo like the DNA Yo-Yo is a great option as you build your unresponsive skills and eventually work your way up to your first unresponsive DNA.

For more advanced DNA tricks and longer fingerspins, you can progress to a higher-performance fingerspin yo-yo like the DNA King.

Why can’t I land the DNA on my finger?

If you can’t land the DNA on your finger, the most common problems are timing, finger placement, hand alignment, or not enough spin. Wait until the yo-yo is almost horizontal, position your pointer finger underneath the center of the fingerspin cap, and let the yo-yo naturally fall onto your finger.

One of the biggest mistakes beginners make is trying to push their finger into the yo-yo or chase it with their hand. Instead, keep your finger relaxed, relatively straight, and still, and let the yo-yo come to you. Once it lands, aim to stay as close to the center of the fingerspin area as possible. An off-center landing can make the yo-yo wobble, lose spin, or fall off your finger.

Also remember that the string is still connected to your opposite hand. Keep your string hand directly above and aligned with the yo-yo so the string can catch correctly and form the DNA. If your hands are out of alignment, even a good fingerspin may not turn into a clean DNA.

Finally, make sure you’re starting with a strong throw. More spin gives you more time and stability to land the fingerspin. A yo-yo designed for fingerspins also makes it much easier to find and stay in the center, especially while you’re learning.

Why does my yo-yo pop back to my hand when I try to land the DNA?

If your yo-yo pops back to your hand when you try to land the fingerspin, the string is usually catching the yo-yo too early. This can happen when you push your finger into the yo-yo, create too much slack, or allow the string to catch in the gap before you’re ready for the yo-yo to return.

Instead of reaching for the yo-yo, wait until it has tilted almost horizontal and let the yo-yo naturally fall onto your finger. Keep the string controlled with your opposite hand so it doesn’t accidentally catch while you’re trying to stabilize the fingerspin.

Once the yo-yo is balanced on your finger, keep your string hand aligned above the yo-yo and then allow the string to catch and form the responsive DNA.

Why does my yo-yo string keep twisting or tangling when I do the DNA?

When you practice the DNA repeatedly, string tension can build up, causing your string to become too tight or too loose. When the tension gets too far in either direction, the string can start twisting around itself, bunching up, or tangling, which makes it harder to get a long, clean DNA.

To keep your string tension neutral, let the yo-yo hang at the end of the string and allow it to untwist naturally, or run your fingers down the string to help release the twists. You can also learn the Sidewinder, which lets you adjust your string tension while you play.

For an easier option, DNA String has a built-in swivel that helps keep your string tension neutral so it doesn't become too tight or too loose while you're practicing. This means beginners can spend more time learning the DNA without constantly stopping to fix their string, while advanced players can use it to help perform longer, cleaner DNAs and more advanced variations.

How can I make my DNA yo-yo trick last longer?

To make your DNA last longer, start with a strong, powerful throw so the yo-yo has plenty of spin left when it reaches your finger. Land as close to the center of the fingerspin area as possible and keep your finger relaxed and steady. A centered, stable fingerspin helps preserve spin and gives you more time to form a longer DNA.

Your top-hand position is also extremely important. Keep your string hand directly above and aligned with the yo-yo as the DNA forms. This keeps the string centered and helps the DNA form evenly instead of becoming crooked, bunching up, or ending too quickly.

The yo-yo you use also makes a difference. Beginners can start with a responsive fingerspin yo-yo like the Vyral while learning their first DNA. As your skills improve and you transition to unresponsive yo-yoing, you can progress to the DNA Yo-Yo to build your unresponsive skills and work toward your first unresponsive DNA, or eventually the DNA King for higher-performance fingerspins, longer DNAs, and advanced variations.

Your timing matters too. Once the yo-yo is balanced on your finger, keep your top hand aligned above the yo-yo and let the string form the DNA naturally. Rushing the motion or pulling too aggressively can cause the DNA to form too quickly or lose spin.

Finally, keep your string tension neutral. If your string becomes too tight or too loose, it can twist or bunch up and make it harder to form a long, clean DNA. DNA String has a built-in swivel that helps manage string-tension buildup while you play, making it easier to maintain neutral tension and work toward longer, cleaner DNAs. It’s helpful for beginners who don’t want to constantly stop and fix their string, but it’s also designed for advanced players trying to push their DNA tricks even further.