Setting up offstring and freehand yoyos
String tricks may be fun, but a lot of people want to try out different styles of play: like offstring (4A) and freehand (5A). In offstring, the yoyo is not attached to the string. In freehand, the yoyo is attached to the string, but instead of being attached to your hand, it is attached to a counter weight. Of course, with these variations from normal play, there are slight variations with how they are set up.
This is a fully wound offstring yoyo
An offstring yoyo is wound basically the same way as a yoyo normally is. Start by holding the bottom of the string to the side of the yoyo and making a few wraps around, while your finger is still holding the string.
The first step
After you have made a few wraps around the axle, let go of the string and continue to wind it up.
The second step
Now that is is wound, make sure that you are holding it correctly. It should look like this:
Now you are ready to throw!
To throw, start in a forward pass position
The position you should be in to throw offstring
Once thrown, the string is caught with your non-throw hand and the yoyo will land pop up and land back on the string. It does take practice, though.
When you toss it, it will look like this.
And now… on to freehand!
If you have ever been this confused about how that pesky counter weight got on the string, the secret is about to be revealed!
The first step is, well, to get yourself some string and a counter weight.
Step one
Next put an end of the string through the hole. You could technically use either end of the string, but since some counter weights have smaller holes than others, it is best to use the end without the knot.
Step two
Next, hold the ends of the strings, so the counter weight is in the middle.
Step three
Now, put the end that goes over the yoyo through the knot that normally goes on your finger.
Step four
Finally, while holding on tho the end that goes around the yoyo, let the end with the knot slide down.
Step five
Now, just wind it up like you would a normal yoyo, and you are ready to begin!
You are now ready!
So, now that you know how to set up an offstring and freehand yoyo, you should get out there and try it!
Soon enough, you may even be able to do this!
January 30th, 2010 at 8:43 am
This was… really unexpected! Anyway that yoyo used to demo an offstring setup looks like an average 1A yoyo. What is it?
January 30th, 2010 at 9:30 am
I think it’s a Duncan FH Zero with black hub-stacks. Right?
January 30th, 2010 at 9:32 am
FHZ
January 30th, 2010 at 9:51 am
@alex
thats not hubstacks thats friction sticker the small black part
January 30th, 2010 at 10:39 am
The fhz is actually very good for 4a too. Just that the catch area is not very big.
January 30th, 2010 at 1:39 pm
that’s true but i rather buy a big yo,aquaruis or hayabusa
January 30th, 2010 at 2:37 pm
Hi Guys,
Lol we didn’t use an Offstring yo-yo at that time cause we didn’t have one with us!!! *oops?*
But nonetheless, the Freehand Zero is an EXTREMELY durable yo-yo, those who own one can probably swear by it, I’ve personally used mine since Worlds 2005 till now and it hasn’t failed me yet. That’s the reason why we decided to use it for the photo taking instead. =)
Andrew Spinworkx
January 30th, 2010 at 3:54 pm
how come the FHZ has hubstacks ( as seen in picture 4 )
January 30th, 2010 at 4:39 pm
Hi CW,
As mentioned by Reborn, those aren’t Hubstacks, those are friction stickers being taped over the nut and bolt. =)
Andrew Spinworkx
January 30th, 2010 at 7:43 pm
lol. i did not know that friction stickers can do that. it does not hav any effect on the yoyo right?
January 30th, 2010 at 8:01 pm
Well it’s not the friction sticker ring it’self that people normaly use as response, it’s most probably the left over center circle that goes to waste since no one uses it for anything.
January 30th, 2010 at 8:37 pm
i stick on my hayabusa so that the nut wont drop out when unscrewed .
January 31st, 2010 at 1:21 pm
Ya i stick the centre the circle thing too on my noob yoyos
January 31st, 2010 at 10:01 pm
i maybe going to buy a freehand zero tmrrw,i’m coming to the store at about 3pm,erm andrew are any freehand zero left especially the blue ones!
February 5th, 2010 at 6:01 pm
javier actually for freehand zero there are quite alot of colours so i think spinworkx should have it =)
February 8th, 2010 at 7:44 pm
is that a scruff on the “you are ready” picture?
February 16th, 2010 at 5:04 am
mistakes, why fhzero use for offstring when you have hayabusa.
February 16th, 2010 at 5:55 am
Hi Kelvin,
Please read the above comments.
Andrew Spinworkx
April 7th, 2010 at 8:47 pm
NoNo !!! Thats FHZ without caps