# Meanings of 1A, 3A, 5A, 2A
**URL:** https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/meanings-of-1a-3a-5a-2a/41134
**Category:** General Yo-Yo
**Created:** [August 6, 2012, 3:43am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/meanings-of-1a-3a-5a-2a/41134 "2012-08-06T03:43:04Z")
**Posts on this page:** 20
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@wabuwama](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/wabuwama)
#### Post date: [August 6, 2012, 3:43am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/meanings-of-1a-3a-5a-2a/41134/1 "2012-08-06T03:43:04Z")
What do those mean? All answers are greatly appreciated.
---
### Author:  [@xXYoYo888Xx](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/xXYoYo888Xx)
#### Post date: [August 6, 2012, 3:47am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/meanings-of-1a-3a-5a-2a/41134/2 "2012-08-06T03:47:19Z")
Different divisions or styles of yoyoing.
1a is standard string tricks, with an unresponsive yoyo.
2a is two yoyos, responsive, doing looping tricks.
3a is two 1a yoyos, string tricks.
4a is offstring, usually uses a larger yoyo with the string not connected.
And 5a is counterweight, or freehand. Used a counterweight on the end of the string instead of attaching it to your finger.
Hope this helps. 🙂
---
### Author:  [@Hippo\_Samurai](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/Hippo_Samurai)
#### Post date: [August 6, 2012, 4:24am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/meanings-of-1a-3a-5a-2a/41134/3 "2012-08-06T04:24:24Z")
Look up each one on youtube. For example just search something like “2a champion yoyo”.
It’s what the internet’s for.
---
### Author:  [@wabuwama](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/wabuwama)
#### Post date: [August 6, 2012, 4:26am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/meanings-of-1a-3a-5a-2a/41134/4 "2012-08-06T04:26:18Z")
> [@xXYoYo888Xx](#):
>
> Different divisions or styles of yoyoing.
>
> 1a is standard string tricks, with an unresponsive yoyo.
>
> 2a is two yoyos, responsive, doing looping tricks.
>
> 3a is two 1a yoyos, string tricks.
>
> 4a is offstring, usually uses a larger yoyo with the string not connected.
>
> And 5a is counterweight, or freehand. Used a counterweight on the end of the string instead of attaching it to your finger.
>
> Hope this helps. 🙂
Thank you! Now I’ll know what people are talking about when batting about these. Before I was clueless. 😛
---
### Author:  [@patrickcondon](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/patrickcondon)
#### Post date: [August 6, 2012, 4:27am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/meanings-of-1a-3a-5a-2a/41134/5 "2012-08-06T04:27:46Z")
> [@xXYoYo888Xx](#):
>
> 1a is standard string tricks, with an unresponsive yoyo.
nope
---
### Author:  [@anonyo](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/anonyo)
#### Post date: [August 6, 2012, 4:31am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/meanings-of-1a-3a-5a-2a/41134/6 "2012-08-06T04:31:00Z")
YoYoWiki is your friend:
> **[Styles Of Play](https://yoyo.fandom.com/wiki/Styles_Of_Play)**
>
> This page lists some of the yo-yo styles you will come across. This list is not complete but covers all of the most common styles and a few of the more outrageous ones. This page should serve to give you ideas of new ways to play. It should be noted...
Enjoy.
(I’m sure we’ll see multiple people ask this question this week)
---
### Author:  [@Jake\_Elliott](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/Jake_Elliott)
#### Post date: [August 6, 2012, 4:32am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/meanings-of-1a-3a-5a-2a/41134/7 "2012-08-06T04:32:09Z")
For all of your obscure styles
> **[Styles Of Play](https://yoyo.fandom.com/wiki/Styles_Of_Play)**
>
> This page lists some of the yo-yo styles you will come across. This list is not complete but covers all of the most common styles and a few of the more outrageous ones. This page should serve to give you ideas of new ways to play. It should be noted...
EDIT: Read the post that they said was made while you were typing \>.\>
---
### Author:  [@wabuwama](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/wabuwama)
#### Post date: [August 6, 2012, 4:34am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/meanings-of-1a-3a-5a-2a/41134/8 "2012-08-06T04:34:18Z")
> [@Studio42](#):
>
> YoYoWiki is your friend:
>
> [Styles Of Play | YoYo Wiki | Fandom](http://www.yoyowiki.org/wiki/Styles_Of_Play)
>
> Enjoy.
>
> (I’m sure we’ll see multiple people ask this question this week)
Thank you!!! 🙂
---
### Author:  [@xXYoYo888Xx](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/xXYoYo888Xx)
#### Post date: [August 6, 2012, 7:09am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/meanings-of-1a-3a-5a-2a/41134/9 "2012-08-06T07:09:56Z")
> [@patrickcondon](#):
>
> > [@xXYoYo888Xx](#):
> >
> > 1a is standard string tricks, with an unresponsive yoyo.
>
> nope
Well, it’s not mandatory but, usually.
---
### Author:  [@Skred300](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/Skred300)
#### Post date: [August 6, 2012, 11:06am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/meanings-of-1a-3a-5a-2a/41134/10 "2012-08-06T11:06:28Z")
Take a look at this video which explains it all with a few demonstrations (1a is also known as single a, 2a is also known as double a and 3a is also known as triple a.)
> **[YoYoExpert.com - Basic Styles of Play](https://yoyoexpert.com/learn/002-basic-five-styles.php)**
>
> Learn about the different styles of yo-yoing (1A,2A,3A,4A,5A) here at YoYoExpert.com.
Here are a few demonstrations of yoyo contests with those styles of play:
1a - [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iJyQOOiV5NQ](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iJyQOOiV5NQ)
2a - [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hmtU6ci4nfE](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hmtU6ci4nfE) (go to 0:43 for the start of the performance)
3a - [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IcZDpA80VDI](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IcZDpA80VDI)
4a - [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UbgrRaO169M](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UbgrRaO169M)
5a - [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JvwxvgOQj\_0](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JvwxvgOQj_0)
Hope this helps. ;D
---
### Author:  [@wabuwama](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/wabuwama)
#### Post date: [August 10, 2012, 5:07pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/meanings-of-1a-3a-5a-2a/41134/11 "2012-08-10T17:07:55Z")
> [@Skred300](#):
>
> Take a look at this video which explains it all with a few demonstrations (1a is also known as single a, 2a is also known as double a and 3a is also known as triple a.)
>
> [YoYoExpert.com - Basic Styles of Play](http://yoyoexpert.com/learn/002-basic-five-styles.html)
>
> Here are a few demonstrations of yoyo contests with those styles of play:
>
> 1a - [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iJyQOOiV5NQ](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iJyQOOiV5NQ)
>
> 2a - [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hmtU6ci4nfE](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hmtU6ci4nfE) (go to 0:43 for the start of the performance)
>
> 3a - [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IcZDpA80VDI](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IcZDpA80VDI)
>
> 4a - [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UbgrRaO169M](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UbgrRaO169M)
>
> 5a - [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JvwxvgOQj\_0](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JvwxvgOQj_0)
>
> Hope this helps. ;D
THANK YOU!! 😃
---
### Author:  [@rizki\_yoist](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/rizki_yoist)
#### Post date: [August 10, 2012, 9:54pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/meanings-of-1a-3a-5a-2a/41134/12 "2012-08-10T21:54:24Z")
So, anyone know why 1A is called “1A”?
---
### Author:  [@wabuwama](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/wabuwama)
#### Post date: [August 10, 2012, 10:03pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/meanings-of-1a-3a-5a-2a/41134/13 "2012-08-10T22:03:06Z")
> [@rizki\_yoist](#):
>
> So, anyone know why 1A is called “1A”?
Maybe cause if is using 1 yoyo?
---
### Author:  [@Nemyo](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/Nemyo)
#### Post date: [August 10, 2012, 11:03pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/meanings-of-1a-3a-5a-2a/41134/14 "2012-08-10T23:03:03Z")
> [@wabuwama](#):
>
> > [@rizki\_yoist](#):
> >
> > So, anyone know why 1A is called “1A”?
>
> Maybe cause if is using 1 yoyo?
But 3a doesnt use three yoyos, and 4a doesnt use four.
---
### Author:  [@Shadowz143](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/Shadowz143)
#### Post date: [August 10, 2012, 11:03pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/meanings-of-1a-3a-5a-2a/41134/15 "2012-08-10T23:03:55Z")
It’s a numbering system, nothing to do with how many yoyos.
Does 5a have 5 yoyos? No.
---
### Author:  [@pickle24](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/pickle24)
#### Post date: [August 10, 2012, 11:04pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/meanings-of-1a-3a-5a-2a/41134/16 "2012-08-10T23:04:52Z")
> [@Nemyo](#):
>
> > [@wabuwama](#):
> >
> > > [@rizki\_yoist](#):
> > >
> > > So, anyone know why 1A is called “1A”?
> >
> > Maybe cause if is using 1 yoyo?
>
> But 3a doesnt use three yoyos, and 4a doesnt use four.
Because they had a few different style of yoyoing about and decided to label them 1, 2, 3, 4, 5.
---
### Author:  [@Yossarian](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/Yossarian)
#### Post date: [August 11, 2012, 12:25am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/meanings-of-1a-3a-5a-2a/41134/17 "2012-08-11T00:25:41Z")
The 1A/2A/etc naming convention dates back to when yoyo contests only had 1A and 2A divisions. When the modern world contest started, the top players all competed in the 2A division. The 1A division was considered a lesser division and was more for fun, and 1A did not officially crown a world champion like 2A did (kind of like ladder/pick-your-trick competitions in today’s contests). The progressive naming probably represented the increased difficulty going from 1A to 2A (similar to how high school sports sometimes divide up into class 1A, 2A, etc based on school size), and may also have reflected that the divisions used 1 and 2 yoyos, respectively. At the very least, it made sense as a mnemonic that 1A was 1 yoyo, and 2A was 2 yoyos.
When the 1A division became more advanced, it started to split into different styles (most notably offstring and freehand), which still competed under 1A since they were 1 yoyo styles. In 2000, the world contest added an X division to represent any style outside of the two competition divisions, and the 1A offshoots moved there (along with 3A). After a few years of X division, that was split into three distinct competition divisions, and they just decided to extend the 1A/2A naming convention to cover the three new ones, even though it ended up being arbitrary.
---
### Author:  [@abby1371](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/abby1371)
#### Post date: [August 11, 2012, 2:11am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/meanings-of-1a-3a-5a-2a/41134/18 "2012-08-11T02:11:11Z")
1A are single handed string tricks
3A are two handed string tricks (two yoyos)
5A is off string
2a are looping tricks
---
### Author:  [@Skred300](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/Skred300)
#### Post date: [August 11, 2012, 10:38am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/meanings-of-1a-3a-5a-2a/41134/19 "2012-08-11T10:38:51Z")
> [@wabuwama](#):
>
> > [@Skred300](#):
> >
> > Take a look at this video which explains it all with a few demonstrations (1a is also known as single a, 2a is also known as double a and 3a is also known as triple a.)
> >
> > [YoYoExpert.com - Basic Styles of Play](http://yoyoexpert.com/learn/002-basic-five-styles.html)
> >
> > Here are a few demonstrations of yoyo contests with those styles of play:
> >
> > 1a - [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iJyQOOiV5NQ](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iJyQOOiV5NQ)
> >
> > 2a - [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hmtU6ci4nfE](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hmtU6ci4nfE) (go to 0:43 for the start of the performance)
> >
> > 3a - [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IcZDpA80VDI](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IcZDpA80VDI)
> >
> > 4a - [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UbgrRaO169M](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UbgrRaO169M)
> >
> > 5a - [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JvwxvgOQj\_0](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JvwxvgOQj_0)
> >
> > Hope this helps. ;D
>
> THANK YOU!! 😃
No probs. That’s why we’re here to help. 😃
---
### Author:  [@wabuwama](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/wabuwama)
#### Post date: [August 11, 2012, 8:16pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/meanings-of-1a-3a-5a-2a/41134/20 "2012-08-11T20:16:30Z")
🙂
[Next page](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/meanings-of-1a-3a-5a-2a/41134.md?page=2)