Troubles with Binding

[Ampersand]

I'm having trouble binding. I get the concept, and sometimes all goes well, but usually when I bind I get a nasty tangle that I can't just throw out of. Anything I'm doing wrong?

[Adam Brewster]

This is probably one of two things - especially if you're getting it from time to time.

1. just could need more practice (and it certainly won't hurt)
as you keep on playing, you'll start to get a better feel for how much string to put in the gap when you bind, when to tug, and when to release the pinch
2. Usually, this specific problem is because you've got too big of a loop of string going into your binds. Try binding from smaller mounts, practice how much slack/string you put into it, and don't forget to tug up.
Just because it's a bind doesn't always mean that a good tug while binding won't help.

hope this helps.

[jackolantern]

I had this same problem until I went back to the Expert Village Bind video and realized he was actually letting the bind roll into the gap of the yoyo (kind of hard to explain, and best to be seen and watched a few times). At first I thought you were basically causing it to return while still holding the big loop of string, but you are basically making it return as the loop is going back into the gap.

[TKost]

Don't sweat it, I still sometimes get a nasty tangle if I don't have a smooth bind. It's all about practice, and in the midst of messing up tons of other tricks you'll get a pretty good bind down. Take the previous posters' advice, and just try to get a feel for it. I found that almost everything I've learned on a yoyo feels foreign and difficult until you find that perfect motion. Every trick I've learned so far looked so simple when I watched videos or other yoyoers perform them, but it all boils down to practicing and determining what works best for you through trial and error. Good luck!

[keyofnight]

This is all great advice. Don't get too frustrated. Like all good things, learning to bind takes time, practice and patience. Here are my experiences, but your mileage may vary:

I noticed that when I mess up a bind (—and get a knot), it's because I tried to throw string into the gap. That is the wrong way to go about it because sometimes the string's slack will loop around the yo-yo and make a nasty little slipknot.  I think the most important thing you can do is to try to feel the yo-yo's backspin—or when the yo-yo snags and feels like it is trying to return. If you can feel the backspin, then without throwing string into the gap.

So try this. Do a reverse trapeze. Try to slide across the string like you would a regular trapeze. You should feel the yo-yo snag at some point. This snag will be the only force that pulls the yo-yo back to your hand, and nothing else. When the force becomes a strong pull, let go of the trapeze loop. Voila…The yo-yo should return to your hand.

Even if you know what causes a bind, it's good to try to feel exactly when backspin happens.—at least that's what helped me.

[Ampersand]

Thanks guys!

I feel like I'm getting it down more often now. I cleaned out my DMs bearing, and it's completely unresponsive now, so I've been a bit forced into getting my bind down