Clicks are priority for me because that’s the most important part of the score, but I try my best to make the performance memorable and interesting even if there are some qualities not captured in the scoresheet
Hi Nico, nice freestyle! I loved the high energy of it. I think one way to improve is to try and stay calm on stage. I know that’s difficult but to me it seemed like you were overly stimulated / excited during times, and you seemed to be rushing some of your tricks. This can help with routine construction, to not be afraid to go slower. It’s ok to take some pauses and make some slower/ deliberate sections in your freestyle to add emotional weight or to match a slower section of a song. The obvious answer is that practice makes your flow better, but I recommend to try and become a master at the simplest and most fundamental tricks, watch videos of yourself and ask yourself how you can improve your technique.
Hi Connor! Thank you so much for the feedback! I’ll take note and try to incorporate your tips to my practice. Thanks a lot for taking the time to answer. It has really given me an insight on how much I still need to improve.
Thanks for the answer (and doing this AMA)! Got a few more questions for you if you don’t mind:
What’s your favourite trick/element that clicks 0?
You mentioned in another question that narrower yo-yos make some tricks easier. What are some examples of tricks where you’ve found narrower is easier? I know the classic answer is dense tech but I’ve found extra width to still be helpful or at worst neutral in most tech I’ve tried personally.
What’s been your favourite part of coaching new/younger throwers?
Are there any types of events/general additions you’d like to see adopted in more contests? Eg workshops, battles, artist alley, etc.
My question is how sincere was the character you presented for nats? Let me elaborate. I understand that yoyo contests are on stage and it is a performance; I am assuming the look was part of that and respect how you tied the whole thing together. Your presentation of self almost served as a prop for the performance imo and I do think elevated it into something special. My question is more about authenticity and ig how you feel about that. Also to be clear, I came to yoyo after seeing Shu Takada on AGT and really do appreciate the exceptional awareness that this was a performance on stage with an audience. Def don’t want this question to be seen as a criticism. Also I appreciate that you went old school w the song choice like threw it back to the self titled
I also very much appreciated how tight the choreography was and my second question is what comes first—the song choice or the combos? Like to you fit the music to the tricks or do you put together the combos to fit the music.
Where do you see yoyoing as a sport in 5, 10, 20 years? How, in your opinion, will trick innovation and increasing popularity of yoyoing affect where it stands as a sport in general in the future?
First off, your routine at the 1A finals was absolutely bonkers. Really cool song choice, and the fact that you were doing tricks synced to the music was incredible.
1 - I’ve only recently started throwing again after giving up on progressing with tricks as a kid. I’ve made a ton of progress, but I still find myself gravitating towards front-style tricks. Are there any front style tricks that you love to perform or that just make you happy?
2 - I’ve been practicing horizontal and gotten proficient with most mounts, but I still struggle with landing and linking elements together. What helped you the most when it came to landing and connecting elements in your horizontal play?
Being a Worlds Finalist in two divisions is no easy feat. Who do you take inspiration from for your 4A play, and or 1A play?
Are there other players from 2A, 3A, and 5A that you look up to / be able to take inspiration from the way they play, or even trick ideas that translate well with your main styles?