tips for yoyo shows?

[JM1 (JM)]

@Xdohl

So, as Yoyoers, we like to compete in Talent Shows. We just do. Oftentimes, we do well. Sometimes, we don’t. This information will hopefully help you build a better routine that will be fun and score high!

1. They have not seen this before. This means that they are most likely expecting some pretty boring stuff, because alot of people don’t know what yoyoing has been up to since the nineties. You can really wow them with your skills, even if you don’t think you’re that good.

2. This is not a yoyo contest. This is a talent show. Doing complicated tricks is not as important as doing flashy tricks that the crowd will like. Doing Kamikaze, White Buddha, Ladder Escape, Haddock, Spirit Bomb and Pure 143 would impress me greatly. However, most of the people in the stands are thinking, “That all looks the same to me.” Here are some crowd pleasing tricks to certainly use:
   Revolutions, Whips, Suicides, Slack (Especially slack that moves quickly through the air), Eli Hops, Anything that goes behind your head, back, arm, or leg, Swagger ;), Lacerations, Boing-E-Boing, SeaSick, Mach 5, Picture Tricks, Stop N Go.

3. Have style. Move around, use flow and showmanship. If something really cool is about to happen in your trick, try pausing right before, and as you do it, look at the audience. Look up as often as you can, it makes everything look easy, and that you’re used to performing. Move in the direction of the yoyo if possible, anything that would excite the audience.

4. Switch it up. Don’t know 5A? Learn it. Also, learn some 4A, 2A, and/or 3A. You don’t have to be that good. Three or four tricks of each will keep the audience interested.

5. Music: Make the music fit. I really think that instrumental songs work better for shows like this, but that’s just a preference thing.

6. Do what they recognize. I start my routine often with Rock the Baby, Walk the Dog, and things of the sort. This makes them excited, some of them might know how to do these tricks. Then, you bust out the newer tricks. What this does is lower their expectations in the beginning, and then you can make a bigger bang with your new school tricks.

7. Finish big! Don’t just end a trick, bind, and go home. Make the ending exciting somehow. Launch a 4A yoyo into a trash can, or a friend waiting to catch it in the audience. Something cool and unexpected!

8. Plan ahead: Have a general idea of what you’re trying to do in your routine. Know when to switch to other styles, and have a back-up yoyo.

9. Don’t be risky! The hard tricks don’t impress as much as they should. Avoid knots and mistakes by avoiding tricks that you’re shaky on.

10, and most important: Have fun! If you’re having fun, then they’ll enjoy themselves. That’s what it’s all about, making the people and yourself feel good!

Good luck!

Also, here is another thread:

yo-yoing for talent show today HELP!