Bind

While originally yo-yos were usually responsive (they returned to your hand with a light tug on the string), in the last few years a playing style has evolved that requires an unresponsive yo-yo. With these yo-yos, you have to wind string into the gap in order to generate enough friction to make the yo-yo return. This technique is called binding.

A lot of different binding styles have evolved over the years, some of which can be seen in the YouTube video linked from the Infobox. This article introduces the most common binds. (wiki)

Type of Trick	Basic technique
Invented by
Difficulty

Flying Saucer

This trick is one of the most useful "utilities", as it allows you to adjust String Tension (the number of times the string is twisted) without having to manually rewind the yo-yo. As most tricks tend to leave the string more twisted than it was before - Loop the Loop being the notable exception - the throw towards the left is probably the most played. For left handed players the opposite is the case.

To play these, you must use a responsive yo-yo, as there is no way of binding a horizontally spinning yo-yo. To adjust the string tension on an unresponsive yo-yo, use the Washing Machine. (wiki)

Forward Pass

This is a good exercise for yo-yoing beginners. It should be done with a very responsive yo-yo, i.e. a yo-yo that returns promptly, when the string is pulled. Actually this trick can even be done with kiddie yo-yos, where the string is fixed to the axle.

In order to learn yo-yo control, try to do this throw fourty five degrees upwards (this way it is a precursor to Shoot the Moon) or downwards.

Once you master this, you can go on to learn Shoot the Moon or Loop the Loop. (wiki)

Breakaway

The Breakaway is basically nothing but a Throw Down to the right (if you are right handed). Seen from your position, the yo-yo should rotate clockwise (anti-clockwise for left handers). Usually you let the yo-yo swing around to your left hand in order to do a basic mount like the Man on the Flying Trapeze or to go on to another sidestyle trick like the Double or Nothing. The following picture sequence shows how it's done. (wiki)

Type of Trick	Basic
Invented by	Classic
Difficulty

	Step 1: Hold the yo-yo above your shoulder.
	Step 2: Throw it away from you, releasing the yo-yo quite early...
	Step 3: ...and swinging...
	Step 4: ...it...
	Step 5: ...downwards.
	Step 6: This is the point, where the string no longer is held by being wedged against the response system. The picture shows this nicely: the string is no longer taut at the end. From here on the yo-yo is falling freely, sharply hitting the end of the string. This can be quite painful, and thus it is recommended, that you stop pulling on the string shortly before this point is reached.
	Step 7: Let the yo-yo continue upwards into the kind of trick you are trying to do. One simple continuation is to let the yo-yo swing up a little more, and then have it return from the side, a bit like in Forward Pass. This can also be seen in the videos mentioned in the infobox.

Sleeper

Tricks: Basic

Easy

The sleeper is a fundamental yo-yo trick that must be learnt before many other tricks can be done. A sleeper is when the yo-yo is on the end of the string and spinning. It is then returned to the hand by giving the string a tug or doing a bind, depending on how responsive the yo-yo is.

Start with a throw down, but let the yo-yo stay on the end of the string without tugging your hand. To achieve a long sleeper you need to ensure the yo-yo is not tilted to one side and you must throw it hard. (wiki)