Flying Saucer

Flying Saucer
Trick also known as	Sleeping Beauty, UFO, Lariat
Type of Trick	String Tension Management
Invented by	Classic
Difficulty
Videos	YouTube Begin2Spin MasterMagic Other

This trick is one of the most useful "utilities", as it allows you to adjust String Tension (the number of times the string is twisted) without having to manually rewind the yo-yo. As most tricks tend to leave the string more twisted than it was before - Loop the Loop being the notable exception - the throw towards the left is probably the most played. For left handed players the opposite is the case.

To play these, you must use a responsive yo-yo, as there is no way of binding a horizontally spinning yo-yo. To adjust the string tension on an unresponsive yo-yo, use the Washing Machine.

Loosening the String

	Step 1: Don't throw the yo-yo straight down,...
	Step 2: ...but a little bit to the left.
	Step 3: When the yo-yo has reached the end of the string...
	Step 4: grab the string with your free hand...
	Step 5: ...and pull it up. This is the moment, that (under normal conditions) would be quite undesirable: the yo-yo spins tilted to the side.
	Step 6: This time, that tilt is wanted. It causes the yo-yo to drag the strig around its edge.
	Step 7: After a few turns, the yo-yo will rotate horizontally and spin the string like a vertical skippig rope. This untwists the string rapidly, so you can not do it indefinitely.
	Step 8: To bring the yo-yo back, pull it up and release the string.
	Step 9: The resulting slack in the string causes the yo-yo to wind.
	Step 10: Note, how the yo-yo continues upwards from the upwards tug from step 8...
	Step 11: ...reaching its peak...
	Step 12: ...and dropping again, while the string is wound up.
	Step 13: Move your hand down to keep the string horizontal...
	Step 14: ...finally catching the yo-yo.

Tightening the String

	Step 1: To tighten the string, throw to the right.
	Step 2: Let the yo-yo swing over to your left.
	Step 3: At this point the yo-yo will already start to spin horizontally.
	Step 4: Grab the string...
	Step 5: ...and continue as when loosening the string, as described above.

Lariat

The Lariat is a variation on Flying Saucer. The yo-yo is not held in the free hand, but left to spin at the end of the string. To get the yo-yo back, tug up strongly with your throw hand. The yo-yo will jump up, and return as in Flying Saucer. You can even let the string touch your trouser leg, creating a rattling sound. That variation is called Rattlesnake.