How *else* do you practice?

Yo-Yo Tricks
1

I want to be able to perform 1A combos to other people and land every step. When I practice by myself, I miss a string here or there. I’m even less accurate in front of an audience.

This made me think about how musicians practice, they don’t just repeat songs. They use a variety of exercises, like scales, technique, speed, and many more.

For those of you who compete or perform, how else do you practice besides rote repetition? Do you walk through your combos slowly? Do you build technique with repetitive tricks like Eli Hops? I’m sure there are other ways to practice besides brute-force.

4 Likes
2

Work on the spots where I mess up more like just run back a single element, do elements/combos X number of times in a row clean or restart the count, play at slow speed like super slow, generally focus on accuracy so I don’t practice too much with mistakes and lock in anything wrong, just focus on execution and try different styles of execution. Don’t over-practice like if I start to miss stuff more than I was earlier it is time for a break

I should do all this stuff more but mostly just play and vibe. These are notes I heard here and there and think are good

6 Likes
3

I take single elements or themes and repeat repeat repeat those.

2 Likes
4

There are some good “exercise” videos floating around for things such as “try not to snag” a series of elements that are prone to snag have been put into exercises you can practice and try not to snag. Other such exercise videos for different things are out there as well.

4 Likes
5

I agree, eos44’s ‘try not to snag’ is great, as is the control workshop at the end of last year’s trick a week. I’ve read a bit about mini throws being used as training aids, and once saw an impressive vid of Gentry yoyoing blindfolded! (I have zero experience yoyoing blindfolded, let me know how it goes :face_with_head_bandage:)

1 Like
6

Try yo-yoing in the dark. It’s a very effective muscle memory boost and less disorienting than having a blindfold on your face.

1 Like
7

Hopefully this was directed at the OP… :joy: I have enough trouble hitting strings even with near perfect eyesight! Ever go for a trapeze, miss your finger and end up throwing a world tour? At least once every few sessions for me!

2 Likes
8

You start off simple. :wink::+1:

9

I really like slowing it down, it reminds me of music. Playing a song slowly and clearly with a metronome is trickier than many think. It’s excellent practice, and when musicians speed it back up to normal, they’re clearer and more accurate.

Good rec, I gotta try these out

1 Like