I missed this at the time. I’m not sure how far I would have gotten, especially with the time constraints, but I would have tried it for sure. I think it’s a great series of tricks, and a worthwhile challenge even without deadlines.
I thought it would be nice to compile them all on one thread, so that they are easier to access.
Thanks Ed!
Round 1:
Ok folks. First round of the FIXED AXLE CHALLENGE has officially begun! Check the official rules thread, but basically this is a “monkey see, monkey do” shootout. Just film yourself hitting the trick I do on a fixed axle yoyo, and post the link in...
Reading time: 10 mins 🕑
Likes: 47 ❤
Round 2:
OK, here we go again! Round 1 is over - check the results in that thread and read through the points I made. Things get tougher (and stricter) as we progress… Now ROUND 2 BEGINS… You’ve got 72 hours and change (expiring at 2PM EST on Thursday,...
Reading time: 6 mins 🕑
Likes: 23 ❤
Round 3:
Here we go again. This time, I wanted to make sure I still gave you a “basic”, because I think it’s CRUCIAL that a modern fixed player know this trick. However, I also know this trick is a stumbling block, especially for people coming from a 1a...
Reading time: 11 mins 🕑
Likes: 75 ❤
Round 4:
Ok, so the moons were hard for some people. I appreciate that. If you made it through them, you might be awesomer than you expected right? So you deserve a CHALLENGE, right? And everybody loves a Kickflip-Suicide combo, right? Kickflip to Lunar,...
Reading time: 16 mins 🕑
Likes: 72 ❤
ed Haponik on Instagram: "Round 4!!! Ok so if you survived the moons, you deserve a challenge, right? You proved you're up to it, right?? And everybody loves a Kickflip-Suicide combo!!! Kickflip to Lunar, then Stall-Suicide back to Trapeze-Stall, and finish with a double Kickflip. (First catch is on the thumb, next two on index - no string-grabbing!) All vids need to be posted in the @yoyoexpert #FixedAxleChallenge Round 4 thread by 6p EST on Wed, 5/6."
Kickflip to Lunar , then Stall-Suicide (no flip) back to Trapeze Stall, and finish with a [b]Double-Kickflip. First catch on the thumb, next two on the index - NO string-grabbing ;).
Round 5:
If you’ve been able to thread the needle so far, I’ve gotta say I’m impressed. The tricks have become harder, and we’ve gone from 39 competitors to 15. Despite noble efforts, your compatriots are gradually falling off as the train builds momentum,...
Reading time: 8 mins 🕑
Likes: 59 ❤
ed Haponik on Instagram: "Round 5, still alive! The @yoyoexpert #FixedAxleChallenge rolls on, and if you've made it this far, you are either a bona-fide fixed axle stud or you have worked your butt off... probably both. It occurs to me that sometimes I make a big deal about "modern #fixedaxle" as though it's distinct from or better than the play of years gone by. Here's a trick that proves otherwise: 2 somersaults of Split the Atom (with this Taffy-Puller entry), then an Inside-Loop out and Punch-Regen the other way, through the legs and into your freehand-side pocket (Bank Deposit). Take it out and Snap-Start it to show you're ready for Round 6. (You guys can Snap-Start, right?) Note that the yoyo MUST completely disappear within your pocket. No touching your pocket, no putting stuff in it to keep it open, no jostling or intentionally obscuring it. Dale Myrberg can hit this every time (although I learned it this way from Larry Sayco). Old school is the true school. Put on your big-boy pants and get to work. Vids due in the Round 5 YYE thread by 7p EST on Saturday 5/9."
Throw 2 somersaults of Split the Atom (using the same Taffy-Puller entry shown), perform an inside loop out, then punch-regen the other way, between the legs, and straight into your freehand-side pocket. Take it out and Snap-Start it to show you’re ready for Round 6! … You guys can Snap-Start, right?
A few quick notes:
a. No touching your pocket or stuffing it with something to make it more open. You’ll notice I turn mine out to show it’s empty when I take out the yo-yo. This trick is ALL about precision and accuracy.
b. The yo-yo must disappear within your pocket completely (and without you doing anything to obscure it or jostle it). Until you start taking it out, it should be entirely enclosed within your pocket.
c. You must do a proper Split the Atom (just like Andre’s version on this site) with both index fingers inside the loop on the somersaults, as opposed to outside like Braintwister. Might seem obvious, but I’ve seen a ton of players do that.
d. SNAP-START IS NO LONGER NECESSARY. TRICK ENDS WITH BANK DEPOSIT… however a snap-start trick WILL be coming up in future rounds.
Round 6:
If you guys want to keep living in my world, y’know, it’s cool. But you gotta pay rent. 😉 Spirit Bomb. Starting with a Cheese Whip wrist-mount and ending with a clean Outside Loop. Vids due Tuesday 5/12 by 8pm EST.
Reading time: 6 mins 🕑
Likes: 46 ❤
Round 7:
Alright fixed-axle paladins… Round 7 of the YoYoExpert Fixed Axle Challenge commenceth now. You guys have hit some burly stuff to get here. For me this one is easy by comparison, but if you’re new to Snap-Starts or Backhand Balances, it might give...
Reading time: 7 mins 🕑
Likes: 53 ❤
ed Haponik on Instagram
Snap-Start (and ONLY Snap-Start) into a cross-armed 1.5 Stall (like Kwyjibo), Kickflip to the same mount, then Kickflip AGAIN to Trapeze Stall. Then regen in a reverse-Breakway to a Backhand Balance. After you’ve shown control of the yo-yo in the balance, bring it back to the hand. Show your yo, post your vid here, and prepare your soul (along with your Last Will & Testament) for Round 8.
Round 8:
The 7 rounds it’s taken to get to this point have not been pushovers (or at least they weren’t MEANT to be). The 4 dudes left have everything it takes to be the most profound voices in this little style we’ve got kindling. I hope regardless of who...
Reading time: 5 mins 🕑
Likes: 56 ❤
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f46CdwDeK54
Double-Sidewinder (throwhand-freehand) to Backhand-Balance (showing control), then Undermount Stall before Kickflipping to Trapeze Stall. Regenerate into UFO and recapture in another Trapeze Stall before bringing it back to the hand with a Makin da Zine.
Round 9:
No one had a big issue with solving the spin-math problem presented by Round 8, so ALL move right ahead. This time you’ve got 2 days to get your vids in. SUPERFLOW. This Alex Lozyniak trick is a true mid-school classic from the era when...
Reading time: 4 mins 🕑
Likes: 31 ❤
Round 10:
Man, you guys are good. I had some folks say Superflow was comparatively easy, but when you try to hit 3 reps of it on wood, you realize there’s some subtlety involved (and probably a sore wrist). In any case, our competitors are truly KILLING IT....
Reading time: 8 mins 🕑
Likes: 58 ❤
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FdobYVGYnFU
Snap-start to Trapeze Stall, perform a backside 360 Varial (by pulling the string toward your body), immediately throw a Kickflip, then regenerate and Shoot the Moon into a Mars Landing before hopping the yo-yo up and into a Lunar Landing. Regen back to the hand…
Round 11:
The drama! The pageantry! The unmitigated grit! These guys are bleeding and bruising for the glory of yo! The 10th Round pitted our competitors against a a burly stall-combo, making them feel the gut-wrenching agony of late-trick misses and giving...
Reading time: 2 mins 🕑
Likes: 2 ❤
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-n_ahUyJe9M
Throw Trapeze and pull up into a Stop-n-Go. Perform a Stop-n-Pop into a Brother Stall. Kickflip into another Brother Stall, then Kickflip again into reverse Trapeze Stall (throw-hand underneath). Regen into a Lunar Trapeze Stall before regenerating again into a Shoot the Moon on the throw-hand side.
Round 12:
Well, evidently 11 was less challenging than I thought. Still I like that trick, and definitely worth making the guys hit it. I like this “speed round” stuff. Let’s go to 12, then! GT Wrist-Whip (NOT Brent Stole), hop out to Trapeze. Somersault...
Reading time: 1 mins 🕑
Likes: 5 ❤
Round 13:
Well, I had counted on letting their thumbs heal, but I guess if our last 2 are in a hurry, I have to bring it back to Snap-Starts. Snap-Start to Archery Flip, Windshield Wiper regen to outside loop out. Still due 5/23, this time by 10:30p EST....
Reading time: 3 mins 🕑
Likes: 18 ❤
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mA0zJDSZhME
Snap-Start to Archery Flip, Windshield Wiper regen to outside loop out.
Please do show it clearly so we can see all the loops on the correct digits. No wiggling allowed looking for loops. Hit it clean.
Round 14:
Our remaining competitors have been on a TEAR, knocking out 3 rounds of fixed axle action in under 24 hours. So, since they obviously don’t need the time, we will again adjust the time limit to reflect their skill. They’ve now got 1 day to hit the...
Reading time: 3 mins 🕑
Likes: 14 ❤
[quote=“ed,post:1,topic:74784”]
WINNER!
SOMEONE! Congratulations, Someone! (YYE and I are gonna have to learn your name to send you your well-earned prizes.) As you probably know, Logi bowed out of the 14th Round, primarily due to a lack of equipment...
Reading time: 4 mins 🕑
Likes: 38 ❤
Bonus 1:
How many Kickflip Suicides can you do in a row? (Ok, I’m not sure, but the most I could fit into an Instagram video was 5.) Anyway, that’s the question we’re asking with this little follow-up to last month’s Fixed Axle Challenge. You’ve got 1...
Reading time: 6 mins 🕑
Likes: 26 ❤
Bonus 2:
I have been practicing my fixed axle play and had an idea for a new game. The goal of the fixed axle flappy-yo challenge is to see how many consecutive trapeze stalls and regeneration from the stall to a regeneration instead of catching to a new...
Reading time: 3 mins 🕑
Likes: 13 ❤
This takes more effort than I realized! Work in progress…
2 Likes
Post a video(s) in this thread of yourself performing one or more of these, and I’ll add you to the wall!
Someone:
Did it all, and won!
yoyoboy224
(major_seventh)
July 11, 2016, 12:01am
3
It was so fun. Haven’t picked up a fixed in awhile; I really should.
1 Like
Yes you should! We’ve seen you imitate, now show how you innovate! …I’m sure you have, but do it more… please. ;D
Okay, so I don’t think I would have made it through the 2nd round! :-\
I got the 1st round easily within the time frame, but I think that’s only because I was already working on Trapeze and Brother Stalls. I just can finally do the Zipper stall repeater. I don’t think I would have made it in time, although it is possible the deadline would have motivated me to accomplish it.
Just shows the amazing natural talents, as well as the tenaciousness of Logi and Someone. I got the impression they were both new to this style of tricks? Mind boggling. I haven’t gone through the entire challenge, but I’m sure that’s also true of some of the other contestants.
Hard for me not to develop an inferiority complex, but I have to remind myself I’m not a competitor, and I yoyo for fun.
I started to feel a bit better, because I hit round 3 after just a few tries!
Then I looked at round 4… :o
I will get around to posting some video proof of the ones I can do.