# How good do you have to be to compete? **URL:** \ **Category:** General Yo-Yo\ **Created:** [April 4, 2015, 3:46am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/how-good-do-you-have-to-be-to-compete/73848 "2015-04-04T03:46:37Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 11\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![minqhan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d07c76/32.png) [@minqhan](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/minqhan)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2015, 3:46am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/how-good-do-you-have-to-be-to-compete/73848/1 "2015-04-04T03:46:37Z")
Hi, I’ve played for 3 months, stopped for 3 years, and started again 3 days ago. I can do Gerbil, Cold Fusion, Pop n Fresh, Eli Hops, Plastic Whip, Boing e boing, flops, and half a kwijibo, but those are just the hard ones. In like 15 minutes I could learn a trick (less than difficulty of those given). I’m wondering if I should even bother going to a contest, as the nearest one is 3.5 hours away. What is the usual skill level of state contests? I see videos online of people doing crazy tricks, but I know that’s national or worlds and of course they are good. Should I wait till I can get all of the ladder? Thanks! ---
**Author:** ![Erik\_kerber](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/erik_kerber/32/7939_2.png) [@Erik\_kerber](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/Erik_kerber)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2015, 4:57am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/how-good-do-you-have-to-be-to-compete/73848/2 "2015-04-04T04:57:45Z")
> [@minqhan](#): > > Hi, > > I’ve played for 3 months, stopped for 3 years, and started again 3 days ago. I can do Gerbil, Cold Fusion, Pop n Fresh, Eli Hops, Plastic Whip, Boing e boing, flops, and half a kwijibo, but those are just the hard ones. In like 15 minutes I could learn a trick (less than difficulty of those given). > > I’m wondering if I should even bother going to a contest, as the nearest one is 3.5 hours away. What is the usual skill level of state contests? I see videos online of people doing crazy tricks, but I know that’s national or worlds and of course they are good. Should I wait till I can get all of the ladder? > > Thanks! You can compete whenever you want its not about winning. But since you have to make such a long trip you might want to wait a bit until you get more of the laddder tricks down. But I would really recommend going to contest as soon as you can. Thats a great way to met other players and just hang out and have great time ---
**Author:** ![yoyobrandon](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/yoyobrandon/32/1407_2.png) [@yoyobrandon](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/yoyobrandon)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2015, 5:52am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/how-good-do-you-have-to-be-to-compete/73848/3 "2015-04-04T05:52:59Z")
I would say go whether or not you will compete. It is great to just go be with other yoyoers and get inspired. You can learn from others and hat have a good time. You should also look the contest up and what different “divisions” they have. Maybe there will be one that fits your level perfectly. Good luck and have fun. ---
**Author:** ![Raigo](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/raigo/32/1446_2.png) [@Raigo](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/Raigo)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2015, 6:05am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/how-good-do-you-have-to-be-to-compete/73848/4 "2015-04-04T06:05:09Z")
You don’t even have to know what an Eli hop is to compete But to win, is a little different ---
**Author:** ![minqhan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d07c76/32.png) [@minqhan](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/minqhan)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2015, 5:12pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/how-good-do-you-have-to-be-to-compete/73848/5 "2015-04-04T17:12:39Z")
What about the sport ladder? Do people ususally finish the whole thing? ---
**Author:** ![Schnayke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f14d63/32.png) [@Schnayke](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/Schnayke)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2015, 5:40pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/how-good-do-you-have-to-be-to-compete/73848/6 "2015-04-04T17:40:19Z")
The winners often do. But many people don’t. ---
**Author:** ![berto](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/berto/32/1506_2.png) [@berto](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/berto)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2015, 5:59pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/how-good-do-you-have-to-be-to-compete/73848/7 "2015-04-04T17:59:22Z")
> [@Schnayke](#): > > The winners often do. But many people don’t. Both 1 and 2? ---
**Author:** ![Zorro](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/zorro/32/206266_2.png) [@Zorro](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/Zorro)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2015, 7:07pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/how-good-do-you-have-to-be-to-compete/73848/8 "2015-04-04T19:07:18Z")
Any contest’s skill level is higher than that. It’s usually pretty high-level no matter where you are. Not to bring you down, but you probably won’t make finals, but it’s not a bad idea to get some experience on stage. Contests are also fun to attend even if you’re not competing. ---
**Author:** ![DKiminator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e19b73/32.png) [@DKiminator](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/DKiminator)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2015, 12:03am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/how-good-do-you-have-to-be-to-compete/73848/9 "2015-04-05T00:03:35Z")
You should go to the contest! It’s tons of fun. ---
**Author:** ![mr.nightshadow95](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/mr.nightshadow95/32/1093_2.png) [@mr.nightshadow95](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/mr.nightshadow95)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2015, 3:48am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/how-good-do-you-have-to-be-to-compete/73848/10 "2015-04-06T03:48:32Z")
Until you feel you are good enough. When you begin making your own combos I would say. ---
**Author:** ![jhb8426](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/jhb8426/32/631_2.png) [@jhb8426](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/jhb8426)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2015, 5:04am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/how-good-do-you-have-to-be-to-compete/73848/11 "2015-04-06T05:04:11Z")
If you wait until you are good enough, you may never get to a contest.