Alpha

The term 'Alpha' is used to indicate that, during a sequence of moves, that each move is started slightly before the previous one has finished.  In practice, this just means that the sequence flows smoothly between the elements.

Binds

This term covers the various techniques required to force an unresponsive yo-yo to return to the hand.  The general idea is to feed an extra quantity of string into the gap, thus encouraging the yo-yo to return.

Bucket

Although originated from the classic 'In The Bucket' trick, this term is more commonly used to indicate any move that involves dropping the yo-yo through a horizontal hole formed from the hands and string.

Chopsticks

Tricks that involve landing the yo-yo on a small length of the string that is stretched between two fingers of the same hand.

Frontstyle

General name given to String Tricks that are performed with the yo-yo thrown in the regular, rather than 'Breakaway' manner.  Common Frontstyle tricks include Splitting The Atom, Boingy Boingy and, er, Sea Sick.

Grinds

The yo-yo is allowed to briefly rest, bounce or roll on a part of the body (or other object) whilst still spinning.  Gloves can help here.

Gyroflops (aka Gyros)

Tricks that involve the yo-yo rolling over onto its side.

Lacerations

From a hanging sleeper, the yo-yo is lauched into the air, with the string allowed to lose it's tension.  The loose string is then swung and looped, with the yo-yo landing in a mounted postion.

Loops

The yo-yo describes a looping motion, either whilst winding/unwinding (e.g. 'Inside Loops') or whilst sleeping (e.g. 'Around The World').  These tricks are the foundation for many two-handed moves.

Moustache Style

Tricks that involve looping a section of the string around your handlebar moustache.  Strangely enough, not popular with kids, females or pretty much anyone else!

Picture Tricks

Throw a sleeper, then wind and knot the string into a recognisable shape.  Examples include 'Eiffel Tower', 'Two-Handed Star' or, my favourite, 'Prison'.

Pops

A string trick technique where the yo-yo briefly launches upwards from a string segment and then lands either on a different segment of string, or on the same segment, but with the hands in a different formation.  Pops can often prove difficult to learn.

POPs

A fast succession of alternate two-handed forward passes and/or throwdowns, in various combinations, for maximum visual effect.  Although relatively easy, the effect can be very impressive when done with style.

Regenerations

Any trick that speeds up the yo-yo without it returning to the hand.

Sidestyle

The opposite of Frontstyle.  Tricks (usually String Tricks) done in the Breakaway postion - that is, with the side of one of the shells directly facing you.  Example tricks include Trapeze, Double Or Nothing or Cold Fusion.

Slack

Tricks which involve the string being pinched, with a portion of the string allowed to hang slack.  The slack portion of the string is then usually swung, whipped or dropped, so as to catch back on the yo-yo or onto a part of the body.

String Tricks

General term, usually implying that the yo-yo is 'mounted' onto the string.  The 'Trapeze' is probably the simplest and best known of these tricks, but the likes of Splitting The Atom, Cold Fusion or White Buddha give a better idea as to what it's really about.

Suicides

From a mounted postion, the looped portion of the string (that hangs over a free finger) is launched and re-caught.

Whips

A loose loop of string is swung so as to catch on the yo-yo or on a part of the body.

Wraps

As the name suggest, these are tricks that involve the string being wrapped around various body parts - the arm probably being most commonly used.