Intermediate/Advanced Yoyo Tricks
Riley Parker
Average rating:4.9Number of reviews:(49)
This 4-week, twice a week class is dedicated to those who want to continue after my "Basics of Yoyo" class, or for those who already have a little experience with the toy beyond the most basic tricks.
Class experience
***While it is not mandatory, I recommend learners take my beginner class if they are inexperienced with a yoyo. See the "Learning Goals" section for the suggested pre-requisite tricks.*** The class is very relaxed and casual. Class begins with a small overview with what will be taught that day, and then a demonstration. Next, there is dedicated practice time for students to try out the new tricks and receive instant feedback. There will also be some classes where extra information is given...
This class is taught in English.
This class is designed to pick up where my beginner class left off. We will begin with learning tricks of approximately the same difficulty as the tricks at the end of the beginner class, and will work towards completing tricks that will take significant amounts of practice. If a learner did not take the beginner course, they should at least know how to perform the following PREREQUISITE TRICKS: Trapeze, Double or Nothing, Split Bottom Mount Tricks we will learn include but are not limited to: Bind(s) (review) Split the Atom Houdini Mount Mach Five Drop in the Bucket Barrel Rolls 1.5 Mount Buddha's Revenge Matrix Cold Fusion Boing E Boing Not necessarily tricks in themselves, but student will also learn Managing string tension Putting together combos Refining technique Creating their own tricks
I have 13 years of experience in the activity of yo-yo. I have taught countless friends and family how to perform a few basic tricks with the toy, and I have also performed in exhibition and competitive contexts, including an 8th place freestyle performance in the 2018 Western Canadian Regional Contest. These experiences have allowed me to meet some of the biggest names in the activity, and try some of the most cutting-edge products.
Homework Offered
1. Practice 2. Practice 3. What was it again? Oh yeah.... PRACTICE. Just like my beginner class, learners in the intermediate class are going to find out just how frustrating this activity can be when you are learning a new trick. The most important thing a yoyoer should realize is that some things can simply not be learnt in a day, a few days, or even a week. Everyone moves at a different pace and some learners will progress faster than others. My only demand is that the learner shows up to class with a positive attitude and that they are willing to try, even if it means making mistakes. Nobody will laugh at you if you are having trouble, "an expert in anything was once a beginner"Assessments Offered
There is no formal assessment, but learners should be prepared to show off their tricks when asked. Again, this is not an attempt to put them on the spot. The best way to demonstrate your knowledge, especially on a skill toy, is to be able to perform the given trick confidently. We will - if time allows - do a friendly contest on the last class called "sport ladder" periodically throughout the course. This is a contest to see who can do increasingly more difficult tricks before they make three mistakes. This contest will be all for fun and will not be marked, but it will offer incentive to get some extra practice time in. Also, this gives the learners a glimpse into the "sport ladder" category of competition, which is where most people compete for their first time out to a contest.Grades Offered
Intermediate yoyo tricks demand higher quality of yoyos. This can be a slippery slope as yoyos can get expensive very quickly. However, I plan to teach the entire class using toys priced $50 or less, and the learner certainly does not need anything beyond that price to succeed. Any sleeping yoyo can plausibly work for this class, but, unlike my beginner class, I HIGHLY recommend that learners have what is called a "non-responsive" or "unresponsive" yoyo. This means that the toy does not come back to the learner's hand with a tug of the wrist. I know that this sounds completely useless and counter-intuitive, but the truth is, this is what every advanced player uses. The point of this style of yoyo is so that the player is able to perform tricks that involve landing the toy on the string and manipulating it through different formations without having to worry about the toy responding unexpectedly. One will notice that if they try and perform some of the tricks on the class list with a beginner yoyo, the toy will simply come back in the middle of a trick, which means bruised and bloody knuckles. The way to make these yoyos return to the players hand is to perform what is called a "bind", which involves intentionally throwing string into the yoyo's groove to create enough friction for it to respond. The "bind" is taught at the end of my beginner class, and we will review it periodically throughout the intermediate class. Lastly, learners are welcome to do their own research and find the product best for them. My recommendations are what I believe are best for this class, but they are not the only picks on the market. MY FIRST PICKS YYF Wedge https://shop.yoyoexpert.com/products/the-wedge-yoyo-by-yoyofactory?variant=40836568744126 YYF Replay Pro https://shop.yoyoexpert.com/products/yyf-replay-pro-yoyo?variant=18874532292 Both the Wedge and the replay pro are perfect choices. This is the kind of yoyo I wish I had when I was learning. These are signature yoyos of two world champions. For their price, they are capable of so much. Well balanced, good spin times, and a perfect intermediate choice. Be careful to get the Replay PRO, and not the Replay Responsive. MY SECOND PICKS YYF Velocity https://shop.yoyoexpert.com/products/velocity-yoyo-by-yoyofactory?variant=18871753476 This yoyo is very versatile as it can switch between responsive and non-responsive play. This means that the user can still yank it up to their hand if need be, and then turn the dial to practice their binds. The only reason I didn't put this in my first picks is that it tends to tilt when landed on a string, and it can also be a little bit loud. Still, a very solid pick. YYF Dv888 https://shop.yoyoexpert.com/collections/intermediate-yo-yos/products/yyf-dv888-yoyo?variant=18870377796 This is a great pick to get the player used to the weight and feel of an aluminum yoyo. It is a bit on the small side, which causes the occasional balance problem. LAST-RESORT PICKS Duncan Freehand https://shop.yoyoexpert.com/products/freehand-yoyo-by-duncan?variant=25704182344 There is nothing wrong with this yoyo, only that it is a responsive yoyo. If the user also purchases a size C bearing, they can swap it out with the stock bearing and then use it for responsive play. ON THE MORE EXPENSIVE SIDE YYF Shutter https://shop.yoyoexpert.com/products/shutter-yoyo-by-yoyofactory?variant=39780868751550 This is a well balanced and smooth yoyo. I would not say that anyone NEEDS this yoyo for this class. However, thinking long term, this yoyo will last the user hours upon hours. It is highly durable, and an overall great product for its price. ACCESSORIES String: This is not mandatory, but I highly recommend that learners invest in a 10, 30, or 100 pack of extra string. When you are just a beginner, it is possible that you will break your strings. Even if the string remains in tact, the oils from your hands will quickly tarnish the string and make play much less enjoyable. If you are using your yo-yo for more than an hour every day, I recommend changing your string at least once a week. Everything else: Not necessary. If you have enjoyed your time in class, then it may be on the horizon for you to purchase extra bearings, lubricant, or extra silicone pads. But again, these should be the last of your concerns at this point.
Average rating:4.9Number of reviews:(49)
Hi there! My name is Riley, and I look forward to seeing you in one of my classes! I consider myself a jack-of-all-trades, as I have a wide variety of interests and hobbies. I have a Bachelor's of Arts in Film Studies, so I enjoy teaching...
Group Class
$75
for 8 classes2x per week, 4 weeks
30 min
Completed by 35 learners
Live video meetings
Ages: 9-14
3-10 learners per class
