Help With Constant String Tension

Yo-Yo Tricks
1

Hey, everyone!

I’m looking for some help here. So I’m not totally new. I’d say I’m an advanced beginner. I can do some pretty difficult ticks and I think I’m really beginning to snowball in terms of my overall ability. My issue is string tension. I know how it works and what causes it. I know how to deal with it, I got the sidewinder down really well, and I got a couple other tricks for managing tension. My issue is this, now that I’m getting into some more difficult tricks, mainly slack tricks, it seems like my string always has some tension in it. Like enough to make the trick impossible, or at least waaaay more difficult. My string never looks like that nice clean “U”. I will literally take the string off my finger, let out the tension, and wind it up. When I throw it, make a slack, and let it drop, it immediately spins up ~10 times. It’s becoming really frustrating cause I just can’t figure out what I’m doing wrong, and it’s really becoming a hindrance. I’m really just starting to avoid tricks with slack elements, which I don’t want to do because they look so good. I’m using all different kinda strings, mainly Kitty String Regulars and Original Throw Slims, plus a number of other strings I have laying around and it seems to happen to all of them. I do know about breaking the string in and it still seems to happen regardless of whether its brand new or several hours old. Anybody have any ideas or suggestions for what I’m doing wrong here, or has anybody else had this issue? I’ll happily take any input you guys have. Thanks!!!

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2

i check/readjust string tension after every other throw/trick attempt

do not wind it up by hand, it winds the string i would learn how to do the snapstart or something like this

thick string keeps loops open nice like sochi XL

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Are you putting it back on your finger before winding? can you maybe get any of this on video?

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4

Pick up some ZS Air from Zipline and see if that helps.

It’s less about the string and more about technique,(So definitely listen to the comments of everyone that will reply regarding technique) but I think that ZS Air will surprise you

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5

I do know how to do a snap start, not super great at it, so I often just hand wind it. I guess this gives me a good reason to actually start practicing it, instead of taking the easy way out. I have some Fat and XL Kitty strings laying around somewhere, I’ll give them a shot. Thanks for the tips.

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Yeah, I’ll take a vid and update tomorrow. I read about taking the string off my finger to wind it. I did try it both ways, didn’t notice a difference.

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I will take a look at them. I have some Mark Mont strings I haven’t tried in a while. I just remembered I have them buried in my accessories box. Maybe I’ll give them a try too and see if it helps as well. I remember buying them, not being good enough to really need them, maybe I’m at the point where they’ll actually help me.

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8

I’m constantly adjusting string tension every few throws if I am trying to learn/land slacks. It always gets harder to keep tension the older and more worn out the string is, IME.

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9

If youre hand winding that is going to move tension away from neutral. check tension by pinching the string near the yoyo and moving close to the yoyo before and after you wind it and you will notice a difference for sure.

You can also just adjust after you hand wind. But this description has me thinking it’s bc youre hand winding

This sequence will always lead to tension in the string. You need to adjust after you wind it up. Use your sidewinder to fix it and make sure your adjusting to the correct side like not making it worse with the sidewinder

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10

yeah after i stopped winding by hand, my string tension was a lot more manageable. i also find myself adjusting it more frequently but with little tugs, using the third option in this video:

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11

Okay, so preliminary results. I took 3 yoyos and tried 3 string types.

  1. 2Sick Guardian with MarkMont Yellow/Green String (Forget the name of the string)
  2. IQ yoyo with Kitty String Fat
  3. Deviant yoyo with Original Throw Regular

Definitely doing a lot better with the Mark Mont strings. Not perfect, but im definitely getting that nice clean “U” shape on some of my slacks. Im gonna say the rest of my issues are down to technique for this one

The IQ yoyo with the Kitty String is also doing much better, I think the heavier weight of the string is definitely helping it to hold its shape. Again, this could probably be better when my execution improves.

The OT Strings are performing the worst for me. Which is really disappointing because they’ve been my favorites so far. Bumping up a thickness to the regular instead of the slim is definitely helping a bit though, Im only getting a couple turns in the string instead of it immediately winding up. I really dont think its the strings fault, I think I just need to practice with a string thats easier for me to do the slack tricks with until Im better at it.

So for my first results, Im gonna assume my biggest issue was using thin strings. That, combined with my technique, I think was causing my string tension issues. It seems like the thicker string helps weigh the string down a bit and helps it maintain its shape. Im sure all this stuff can be done on a thin string, Im just not good enough to do it. Yet…

I also ordered a couple different types of ZipLine strings at @kretzschmar suggestion. So we’ll give them a try when they arrive🤞.

Also been practicing my snap wind a bit so Im not doing it by hand, not sure if thats helping or hurting as Im not that good at doing it, but still, its a skill I gotta master. I can do revolutions perfectly, but can’t snap start a yoyo, guess its time to learn. Ive also been making sure to take the string off my finger when I do hand wind. Again, not sure if thats helping, but I’ve seen it suggested multiple times, so I’m gonna assume it’s doing something.

So, if anybody else has this problem and stumbles on this thread, my first suggestion would be to try a thicker stiffer string.

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12

I have this video saved to a playlist lol. I do know how to manage string tension. My issue was more of one where I would check the tension, make sure it was neutral, throw the yoyo, and when I started the slack, it would immediately spin itself up. Like it was happening on my first throw after making sure I had no tension in the string.

13

This is helpful, I didnt think of adjusting the tension after winding it. I just assumed once the tension was let out fully, simply winding it up wouldn’t really impart much tension into the string. It seems stupid that I didnt think to check the tension right after winding it, but live and learn I guess. I will definitely make sure I do this going forward. Thanks!

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14

Well, you could go take your string to see a Chiropractor or a Masseuse/Masseur if it’s so tense all the time…

Or it could also try Pilates or Stretching, or even Calisthenics…

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15

Best suggestion so far.

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I can’t snap start reliably, but use the engineers windup instead. I find it way easier, personally. And unlike winding by hand, it doesn’t introduce tension.

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Yo no problem yo and it’s cool that the issue will be an easy fix. Have fun playing and come back w any questions that come up on your journey!

Also you should check out the trick a week thread here! It’s a dope resource to follow along for where youre about at and also just a good repository of tricks to learn!

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18

This is a tad extreme Haas. Not to mention expensive. You can massage that string all on your own. You don’t need to pay some expensive doctor to do it for you.

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19

I just saw this, but just wanted to say thanks. This is super useful. I’ve been struggling to find some decent intermediate combos. Everything seems to go from beginner(ish) single tricks/elements, to advanced long combos with several difficult elements. Not a ton of middle ground. So this is actually really helpful for where I am right now.

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