I throw it and it either hits me or tilts violently. What am I doing wrong?
Is your arm straight when you throw it?
It took me a while to get a clean breakaway (about a year since I got back into yoyoing, 2010). It’s going to feel awkward at first but eventually you’ll figure out a technique that works. Watch other yoyo videos and see how they’re throwing side style (break away)
You throw it, just let it swing, don’t throw too hard or it will do a world tour.(around the world in front of you) Also, try imagining a straight line in front of you, or you could use tape, but try to have your yoyo follow the line. To fix the tilt, you just need to straighten your throw with practice.
Here is a video on the trick from a few years ago Breakaway Yo-Yo Trick - Luke Renner - juggling videos hosted @ Juggling.tv. Hope it helps. If you are using a fixed axle for the trick and encounter it snapping back or tilting; the string tension maybe too tight. The yo-yo should have the same tension as used on an around the world.
You have to move the yoyo completely parallel with its direction (see the gap), if it’s tilted even so slightly that the string is constantly rubbing certain part of the body it will start tilting.
Just take your time and keep into it for a few days/weeks, you’ll get it eventually. It took me few weeks actually…