4A Discussion

[FNG]

Time for this thread.

What tricks are you working on?
What kind of yoyos are you using now?
How do you feel about the current state of offstring and what would you like to see in the future?

[FNG]

4A has become more important to me recently.
I took a small break from yoyos to move into my new house. After the move and once everything was settled, I tried to get back into yoyos and single A felt kind of bland. Going back to when I first picked up a yoyo, offstring always had that risky skill-intensive feel that made tricks feel much more satisfying than simply landing a trapeze or laceration, so I decided to pick it up again.

I feel like Worlds 2011 was very important for offstring in general. Normally offstring is just one of those styles that most people would take a lunch break for before watching the freestyles, or just completely ignore in a majority of 1A online videos. Ben Conde's freestyle gave me the impression that after the contest was over, 4A would be one of the more seriously considered divisions. That still isn't really the case though. 1A is just too approachable and with someone like Marcus Koh being the new title holder for the division with that style of freestyle, a flagship freestyle like Naoto Okada's performance (which was as difficult as it was impressive) won't convince the kids in North America to take it seriously.

But anyway, I'm just doing my own thing and enjoying it now. ReXtreme is one of the best yoyos you can get by the way.

[GunstarHero]

I've messed with 5a...ended up not enjoying it..2A was the same deal. I never thought 4a could be so fun. I've been using my Whip, DMII, and DV888 to do 4a with.

I only know Barrel Rolls and I'm unable to bind (I know 4a specific yoyo's are more responsive) but regardless it's super fun. I had a bit of trouble landing my catches at first (due to the small size of my yoyo's) but if I do end up investing in a 4a yoyo I'll be good to go.

I've been messing with hops and whips as well. I am really looking forward to learning more.

I recently watched Figuroa's demo of the Fiesta XX and was very impressed. His 4a is fast, precise, and downright insane..I honestly had to pause it a few times and rewatch it...literally blew my mind.

[bannanaman97]

I've messed with 5a...ended up not enjoying it..2A was the same deal. I never thought 4a could be so fun. I've been using my Whip, DMII, and DV888 to do 4a with.

I only know Barrel Rolls and I'm unable to bind (I know 4a specific yoyo's are more responsive) but regardless it's super fun. I had a bit of trouble landing my catches at first (due to the small size of my yoyo's) but if I do end up investing in a 4a yoyo I'll be good to go.

I've been messing with hops and whips as well. I am really looking forward to learning more.

I recently watched Figuroa's demo of the Fiesta XX and was very impressed. His 4a is fast, precise, and downright insane..I honestly had to pause it a few times and rewatch it...literally blew my mind.

http://www.yoyonation.com/product.php?productid=16701
That is what you want, it's an amazing yoyo, do a bit of searching and you'll find one, I'd recommend the SL version

[GunstarHero]

I looked at the Hayabusa. Speed Racer edition to be exact. Thanks for the suggestion. I really dig the smaller size compared to most offstring throws. I'm kind of partial to the fiesta at the moment. The Go Big also looks nice. Whichever I can get on the cheap in the BST will be my choice to be honest. Dont want to invest in something I may let go of.

[slackER]

Got a solar a little while back. If you don't mind it getting a little bit of noticeable vibe then it's definitely a sick 4a throw.

[Kikaru]

Im getting into 4a myself.
Got a fiesta v1, hayabusa, and a Flaming Bird(Aoda)

but i always end up pissed off, because it seems like everytime it rolls away from me, it would go under a desk or the counter, or just roll 3 rooms away...

[FNG]

The quantity of awesome 4a yoyos is probably the best it has ever been. When I started yoyoing pretty much the only option was the Aquarius and Bigyo...now I could easily recommend the ReXtreme, FiestaXX or Fiesta, Go Big, Hayabusa, and not to mention the luxury end.

And yeah Bryan Figueroa's 4A should be given a second look because it's really insane.

Also, have you seen this? I can't believe I missed it.

<div><embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="http://www.youtube.com/v/uHNE-Du7blg&amp;ap=%2526fmt%3D18&amp;rel=0" width="425px" height="344px" wmode="transparent" quality="high" allowFullScreen="true" allowScriptAccess="never" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" autoplay="false" autostart="false" /><noembed><a href="http://www.youtube.com/v/uHNE-Du7blg&amp;ap=%2526fmt%3D18&amp;rel=0" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/v/uHNE-Du7blg&amp;ap=%2526fmt%3D18&amp;rel=0</a>

[yoyoguitarist]

I use the OG beast, the Aquarius, and I also have a Bigyo. Traded off my Fiesta like an idiot D:
I've got the basic double overwhip/double underwhip and barrel rolls and whatnot down, I'm working on orbits. Anyone got some 4A tech tutorials?

[blake24]

i recently picked up an equinox, and its great for offstring, i started with a fiesta which is still great.

I can do under and over whips, behind the back catch, and leg orbits.  nothing to special lol, but im trying to combine the stuff together and learn arm orbits.

[Jeremym]

I'm loving my equinox, closely followed by the FiestaXX.  I've also picked up a few from asian companies that are pretty good.  I'm loving the more technical small stuff which is harder to find.  Here is my first attempt.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a0g4VTxAZ34 (External Embedding Disabled)

[slackER]

Anyone have any good tutorials for tech 4a?

[Jeremym]

How about this one?  I'm still vague on the definition of tech.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hAbc4jAk4Bk (External Embedding Disabled)

[blake24]

thanks for some of those tutorials!

o and has anyone tried the solar?

[slackER]

thanks for some of those tutorials!

o and has anyone tried the solar?

I have one! What did you want to know?

[yoey]

I got into 4a about a month ago after watching your videos (FNG). I was vaguely interested before, but your style really caught my attention and spurred me to purchase a Solaris. Unfortunately I have not had much time for yoyoing this last month, but I'm enjoying it.

What tricks are you working on?

Whips, rolls over arms, legs, fingers, boings (just over and under for now). Basically I'm just sort of getting used to it all.

What kind of yoyos are you using now?

C3 Solar. It sleeps forever, and mine has stayed smooth although I haven't really had any hard falls. I have a hard time binding consistently. I think I need to get some lube that is thicker than V4M to help out a bit with response. I may try using flowable silicone as well to get a bit more grab. I'd love to try a Re-Extreme at some point.

How do you feel about the current state of offstring and what would you like to see in the future?

Like you, I'd love to see the style developed even further in the community. Naturally it will happen all the quicker when interest grows and more people put time and thought into it. I'd love to see more tutorials to help noobs out that might feel a bit intimidated. Fortunately as you stated, there are a lot of options to go with that are inexpensive so that should help.

[Sideswipe]

Today has been my first venture into 4A. I am starting to get the throw down. So much fun though!! I'm using a Yomega Exodus II.

[Jeremym]

Today has been my first venture into 4A. I am starting to get the throw down. So much fun though!! I'm using a Yomega Exodus II.

Welcome to the club! 

[Sideswipe]

Today has been my first venture into 4A. I am starting to get the throw down. So much fun though!! I'm using a Yomega Exodus II.

Welcome to the club! 

So much fun!

[thatkidpsychoforstring]

I have a rextreme but when i try to do 4a tech tricks (like double or noth or even os trapezes) its slowsz down verry quickly