Shapes

From YoYo Wiki

Yo-yos come in several different shapes. These shapes have a big effect on what a yo-yo is best suited for and how it plays.

[edit] Classic shape

Classic shape

The Classic shape (pic) is the typical shape for traditional yo-yos and is derived from the Duncan Imperial. It is ideally suited to looping so this shape yo-yo is predominantly used for 2A. Its narrow string gap makes it hard to land on the string for string tricks. However, this shape has fallen out of favour with many modern 2A players who prefer the modified shape. Classic yo-yos are sometimes referred to as imperial, slimline or tournament, where tournament is a wider yo-yo shape.

[edit] Modified shape

Modified shape, note everything is rounded

The modified shape has a narrow string gap but not as narrow as a classic shape and is also more rounded. It has become the most popular 2A yo-yo shape and is quite narrow, sometimes narrower than classic. Modified yo-yos are usually good loopers but can also do simple string tricks. Modified shape is also sometimes referred to as Flywheel shape.

[edit] Butterfly shape

Wide, rounded butterfly

Narrow, rounded butterfly

Very wide, v-shaped butterfly

Wide, h-shaped butterfly

The butterfly shape is excellent for string tricks due to a very wide gap but usually loops very poorly. Butterfly shaped yo-yos are favoured in A, 3A, 4A (OS) and 5A (FH). They can have either a rounded or 'v-shaped' profile (see pics) and which one to use tends to be a matter of the yo-yoer's preference. Yo-yos intended for OS play are very wide (see pic above) and v-shaped to make the initial throw and catch easier. H-shape is very significant because it has more rim weight than other shapes.