How to Spin a Top, Plus 11 Basic Spin Top Tricks

[@goofe.washington953]

This is really interesting. Last time I spun a top was in 1963 when I was 10 years old. Your manner of explanation is excellent. Thank you for posting.

[@MarkHayward]

Thanks! Glad you liked it 🙂

[@Di4nRB]

RIP to the people who tried learning these inside their home😂

[@BOXinremedy]

i actually leanred it 💀

[@sneakyturtle3257]

Same

[@AdityaKumar-oq5ok]

Me too💀

[@Ritish-channel]

😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@MaZEEZaM]

I just discovered these after searching the store i found the Kendama in, another toy that's cool and new to me. I always enjoyed spinning things, i used to take the metal tips off warn out disposable pens and spin that on the table. Dice too and I loved the Yoyo of course. I was considering getting these toys for my niece's and nephews, they would be great for hand and eye coordination.

[@crimsonfancy]

Very fun! Nice job with the detail edits and slow motion to demonstrate pick-ups. It's been since 1995 I've thrown a top and a friend and I got pretty good at landing them. These were Duncan brand tops that we would buy at K&B (or similar) drugstore in New Orleans.....I assume it was K&B (because New Orleans) but they may have already dissolved ....anyway.... any common neighborhood store would carry Duncan yoyos and tops. I was 25 years old when I first tried but the fun isn't age restricted. ;-) Earlier this week, a new friend of mine from Honduras told me that when he was a young man, they would spin wooden, homemade "trompos" for fun and competition! This is why I decided to search online to find some instruction to share and to maybe rekindle the fun times had when we were younger. Thank you for sharing and I'm excited to see where I can pick some up for myself and for Jose and his son Joseph! Why not?! Simple toys that offer learning new skills can be fun pastime and a fun hobby. "Collect them all!" they would say on TV! 😊

[@MarkHayward]

I'm so glad you enjoyed the video! In my experience the best spin top players are older people, because it takes so long to get really good at it. I hope you find a great top, and jump back in. There are a lot of really good ones, but if you want an inexpensive steady bet, try out one of the ones from yoyosam.com like the Blizzard, Sidewinder, or Short Circuit. My signature top is sold out I think, but you can still get the Spintastics Quicksilver, just without my name on it. Let me know how it goes!

[@crimsonfancy]

@@MarkHayward Thank you so much! I've carted a Diamante set from Mexico at Amazon but haven't pulled the trigger and I'm glad you've given me more to research. I'm one of those that will rabbit hole for hours and I'm already clicking to explore more at your recommendation. I can't wait to gift my friends new, modern "trompos" and looking forward to the fun. Cheers and have a great week! 😊👍

[@crimsonfancy]

Mark, great job at Letterman! "It's a thing of beauty" Congrats to you!

[@will9357]

Super helpful. I watch some other, less in depth videos, and I couldn’t pick up the top because I’m more or less ambidextrous, but have slight preferences I have a stronger right arm, but slightly better fine motor skills with my left hand, so I was throwing the top with my right hand, but trying to pick it up with my left and using the wrong finger to pop it up! 😅

[@MarkHayward]

Glad it helped! I'm left-handed, but do a lot of stuff with both hands. In the top spinning world I tend to do stuff fairly weird. Glad I'm not the only one! 😄

[@hidehide-d3g]

I am unbelievable that experts can teach the spin top tricks.

[@iron3624]

I remember playing with theae as a kid in mexico and juat ewrlier this week i ordered some cometa brand onea 😊

[@MarkHayward]

Fantastic! They make some great tops!

[@MauricioDelgado0722]

Nice vid! In Mexico and most Central American countries, this is a traditional toy that we are encouraged to play with from a young age (I'm from Costa Rica). Brands like trompos Cometa are constantly releasing new models and some professionals tour around the country to show the most amazing tricks. Tip: if you already learned the boomerang you can play in a grass environment to avoid the spinning top crashing on hard material floors. PD: I love that spinning top of yours, usually the Mexican spinning tops have some childish/cheesy designs that I personally dislike.

[@MarkHayward]

Thanks! Maybe what we need is for Cometa or someone to make some spin tops that are intended for adults. I wonder what a good adult themed top would be like? Maybe "no more back pain" or "3 weeks paid vacation" 😄. I think I know someone there, I could suggest it. I'm curious: do both girls and boys play with tops where you live, or is it just boys?

[@MauricioDelgado0722]

​@@MarkHayward haha what about: "Spin it around and forget about that mortgage for a moment". Sadly, only a few girls like to play with them. I think there should be more inclusiveness in terms of marketing and representation.

[@MarkHayward]

@@MauricioDelgado0722 Haha! So yeah, Maybe the proposal is for tops for adults, and for girls. It's an untapped market!

[@elpataschuecas]

Amigo, soy Mexicano y la Marca Cometa también tiene modelos para adultos. Tiene un modelo totalmente de aluminio y con rodamiento. Es un trompo bastante Costoso. También existe la nueva marca de trompos "STAR" creada por el campeón mexicano Gerardo Montero y son excelentes !!

[@peace_321]

OMG seriously i was trying to spin a top since few days but wasn't able to do soo because I was throwing up side down , thanks for this awesome video.... 🎉🎉🎉🎉

[@MarkHayward]

You're welcome! Glad it helped!

[@peace_321]

@@MarkHayward yep... 💫

[@MaZEEZaM]

It is really counter-intuitive isn't it.

[@sameerakhtar6819]

I have those types of wooden tops in which you have to fix a special nail by yourself to make a tip and the tip is quite long and not like these small ones, any tips for that?

[@MarkHayward]

A lot of the principles are the same, but you'll definitely have to modify things to work for your top. I don't actually have a lot of advice for you because I haven't used those all that much. Part of the reason that this style of top is used in competitions and performance is that it's so versatile for doing tricks and stuff. That being said though, most tricks can be done with most tops, you might just have to figure out a creative way to adapt the trick to what you're using

[@zachkiker6008]

I just got three of the old school wooden ones with the fixed tips and they don’t seem to flip over like they’re supposed to do. Sometimes they do but mostly not. I’ve thrown them like 30 times tonight and maybe landed 7 correctly

[@MarkHayward]

When you have inconsistent throws, it's usually a problem with the string or the winding. Make sure you're really focusing on winding it correctly. The other thing is that solid wood tops usually need to have the tip pointing out a little bit rather than straight up on the throw. Give that a try and see if it helps... and let me know

[@Is_yer_robeOnFire]

Indians here ?

[@MarkHayward]

My channel in general is very popular in India, so I would think so

[@hanimireddy3076]

Yes indian

[@YeSwagGaming]

Yup

[@AssassinXD303]

Yea!!!

[@NotDino123]

Yh boi

[@Shadow_X_Devil]

Thank you sir😊

[@INDIGENOUS_Tiktok__yeha_noha]

Hi,how are you?i have a question,when you throw the boomerang, do you have to turn your hand slightly or just hold the top straight in your hand and pull it hard? because I can't get it done😅

[@MarkHayward]

It depends a little bit on your top. Most tops are held vertically, but different tops have different things they need, so you may have to experiment a bit to see what works for you and your top. Make sure you've looked at the troubleshooting section of the video, that should help 🙂

[@TheEdguitars]

Great video! Does the brass tip gets dull too quick?

[@MarkHayward]

If you spin it on concrete, it definitely would. My preference is actually steel, but most of the time when I play with tops I don't actually let them spin on the ground, so it kind of doesn't matter for me.

[@everythings5168]

i love your teaching.❤️❤️

[@patharris904]

Great instructable video. WHAT type od string should I use and where can I buy the tops and strings as I would like to woodturn my own tops😮

[@MarkHayward]

Thanks! When making tops the string and the tips are really crucial. A lot of people overlook the importance of the tip. For the most part, steel is the best material, and most top makers machine their own tips. My favorite top string right now is from Yo-yo Factory (yoyofactory.com), although it looks like they don't sell it directly, but you can get it at yoyoexpert.com

[@wafiabdullah4857]

GREAT man😂

[@l9944]

Thanks man 👍

[@pattreadwell6149]

Thank you

[@RHAAFamily]

I like your way you speak and good video

[@jamesscott2095]

What top should I git for midrange

[@MarkHayward]

The Spintastics Sidewinder or Trompo Grande are great and affordable

[@venturarealestate9918]

What is the optimal length for the string?

[@MarkHayward]

I like 6 feet, but people have different preferences. Mexican players like them a lot shorter. You'll have to experiment

[@briancool6762]

I’m getting better at spinning my top but. I don’t know when it’s time to do tricks 😅

[@MarkHayward]

Go for it as soon as you feel like it!

[@itsshxyil]

Bro literally my bro has trained for 2 days and he can pick it up with a rope into his hand but I have trained FOR A WHOLE MONTH AND I STILL CANT DO IT

[@ErenYeager-m7w]

I can do it and pick it up while spinning

[@sawyerramos3113]

THIS TAKES ME BACK! VENEZUELA!

[@lalithayadukumar9350]

Thank-you 🙏 sir I had learn it

[@JessicaJenkins-gp7bx]

Good for you! (I can do it on a tiny and plastic top)

[@DipenBavaji-y8z]

Where this spinners we will get

[@8ft635poundbeastgigachad]

i love theese vids...FINALY A TROMPO VID NOT IN SPANISH

[@8ft635poundbeastgigachad]

IDK SPANISH

[@MarkHayward]

@@8ft635poundbeastgigachad Haha, yeah. Spin tops are so big in Spanish speaking countries! Glad to be of help.

[@Vineeth-bf6th]

Where can i get those spinning tops in india?

[@MarkHayward]

It's a Spintastics Hybrid. Probably only available from yoyosam.com, but Google it, maybe you can find someone more local

[@Vineeth-bf6th]

Oh,ok thanks for your information

[@adrianevaldez1509]

Can indo it on tiles

[@MarkHayward]

Sure! It might jump around a bit, but go for it!

[@afzaluddinahmed1900]

Where can I buy a top like you

[@MarkHayward]

yoyosam.com but they are out of the Mark Hayward logo top. The other colors are still cool, just not *as* cool 😄 www.yoyosam.com/products/spintastics-quicksilver-hybrid-bearing-spin-top-bearing-tip

[@DipenBavaji-y8z]

How many price of this spinner

[@abidehasen9124]

Can these tricks work on wooden top

[@MarkHayward]

Yes

[@franciskusvanderaher-xk6ir]

So at school in Oudtshoorn south africa thay spin the top then thay hit your top then if it dont spin then thay can make holes in your top

[@MarkHayward]

@@franciskusvanderaher-xk6ir Do a lot of people play this game?

[@Demonart6666]

Where do you get this spining top

[@MarkHayward]

yoyosam.com but they are out of the Mark Hayward logo top. The other colors are still cool, just not *as* cool 😄 www.yoyosam.com/products/spintastics-quicksilver-hybrid-bearing-spin-top-bearing-tip

[@robertcornelius3514]

I'm jealous of all that hair. I'm hair impaired. Thanks for the tips.

[@MarkHayward]

You're very welcome!

[@fazeblastz8248]

Whenever I do the boomerang it comes out sideways I still catch it but it’s sideways when doing the boomerang I grab it with the tip down

[@MarkHayward]

For the most part the top will rotate 180° from the position that you release it. So if it's landing on its side, you need to rotate your hand 90° on the release, so it will land in the orientation you want.

[@fazeblastz8248]

@@MarkHayward oh thanks I see that you use very little force and with my way I have to use a lot of force

[@MarkHayward]

@@fazeblastz8248 Every top is different, so you may have to do things a little differently than I do, but pay attention to what you're actually doing on the throw, and you may be able to make adjustments that will help

[@elpataschuecas]

Hola Mark. Si no me equivoco, tú eres el creador de los trompos SPINASTICS. Sería fantástico que tú y Gerardo Montero se enfrentaran en un duelo. Gerardo es el creador de los trompos marca ""STAR" .

[@MarkHayward]

Hola Ricardo! I am not the inventor of Spintastics tops, I'm just a big fan of them. I would love to duel Gerardo Montero, but I'm pretty sure he would win!

[@elpataschuecas]

@@MarkHayward Siento mucho mi equivocación. Tú eres un gran profesional de los trompos también Saludos desde México, Mark !!

[@rachitkumar6035]

What is the rate of this top

[@MarkHayward]

I'm not sure exactly what you're asking, but I think it costs about $80, and it spins at about 3,000 RPMs

[@baronrs4life760]

Hello everyone I lost that little hat that goes on top of the spin top anyone know how to make one?

[@MarkHayward]

Can you elaborate on this? I'm not sure what you mean

[@anthonyjay4012]

So cool

[@madhuchauhan2784]

Sir can you please recommend me a top under 10$ available on amazon or flipkart?? our country 1$=80₹

[@woollensloth7756]

I also need a top Please help me

[@woollensloth7756]

me too Indian

[@JulioCesar-lh3kr]

Modern kids don't know these things. Every kid should have at least played with this toy sometime in his life

[@MarkHayward]

I couldn't agree more! That's exactly why I made this video. Although, to be fair, it depends on where the modern kids live. Some areas of the world (like Mexico) have a really strong spin top culture, where most kids have played with tops 😊

[@AaravChopra-s8r]

Yes

[@JulioCesar-lh3kr]

I love spinning tops. I have 6

[@SirBoot32]

Teach me!!!

[@kor_tes_shorts]

Where do you buy it

[@MarkHayward]

Yoyosam.com Specifically: www.yoyosam.com/pages/search-results?q=quicksilver

[@briancool6762]

Second comment You span that thing on your finger That means you’re also a professional basketball player

[@MarkHayward]

I'm very tall

[@mikeadriano3330]

The technique that you taught for spinning the top was actually frowned upon. Especially so, if you were with a bunch of macho 10 year old's in South Africa. This was between 1994 - 1997. We called it "The lady/girl spin". I remember drawing a half decent circle in the sand and then placing a small stick in the centre, The objective was to knock out the stick with your spinning top. The person who did that had the opportunity to perform a "first hit". Everyone else placed their tops in the circle and the first hit was to knock out the other tops out of the circle and of course inflict damage on an opponent's top. If your top was knocked out of the circle you had the opportunity to hit the other tops with your own spinning top and inflict more damage. Many of the macho boys went home crying when their tops were split in half. We had plastic and wooden tops, short and fat ones called apple tops and narrower ones called carrot tops. Apple tops were a little more difficult to spin but were robust . The carrot tops broke easier when knocked with an apple top with a standard nail peg. The good ol' days...

[@MarkHayward]

Thanks for sharing that story! So what was the preferred method for throwing? An overhand throw? That's the one my peers and I use for playing battle top when we're trying to destroy the other people's tops.

[@mikeadriano3330]

I'm not really sure how I would describe it as that was more than 30 years ago but from what I can remember it was an aggressive swing that you put your whole hip into. You'd aim for the opponents top and with an over the shoulder axe type swing and then twist your hip to generate more torque if that makes sense. The top would make a loud humming noise as it whizzed by hopefully hitting an opponents top and not shattering a neighbors window!

[@MarkHayward]

@@mikeadriano3330 Haha, awesome! That's kind of what I expected it to be. Your description of it being like swinging an ax feels exactly right. How often were people able to break tops? After having tried it a fair amount, I know it's pretty hard!

[@mikeadriano3330]

A top being split by another spinning top during a match was actually pretty low. We always checked each others tops after getting hit though and it was often just cosmetic damages. Most tops were broken beyond usage when a penalty was imposed, one example being your top landing inbetween the circle and the outside of it. They called it "Sevens". You could literally hit an opponents top seven times with anything, most often it was with old discarded bricks or cinder blocks, that's how most tops were split. The were so many penalty rules, I forgot most of them.

[@MarkHayward]

@@mikeadriano3330 HAHAHA! A brick! I love it!

[@harcharansingh9905]

Bro my top is so sharp I got injured

[@guduruvarma]

Go outside and rub the point to a concrete walor floor

[@yazizme3852]

The 11. Suite

[@JessicaJenkins-gp7bx]

I have baby top, It’s really small! Haha It’s plastic! 😂

[@krishgamer.0851]

what is your top name

[@MarkHayward]

It is the Spintastics Quicksilver Hybrid

[@Straws_in_Berries]

I can do em upside down, I'm proud of myself

[@KP_Cyber]

But indian tops don't turn 180 degrees they go on which side the top is

[@MarkHayward]

Yeah, there are many many different types of tops, and each has to be thrown in its own way. Hopefully you can still get some useful tips that you can translate into how your tops work

[@MahadevanDevan-s6t]

Bro india top needle is very sharp it can hurt very bad

[@MarkHayward]

@@MahadevanDevan-s6t Nice. Sounds exciting!

[@PravUdayVasava]

Yes sir

[@alisonsmith4211]

That is cool l

[@sawyerramos3113]

I dont whind it like that

[@GrabEmByThePlushie]

Now we know what Garth did with his life.

[@MarkHayward]

Party on Wayne!

[@yogeshtel76]

As a Indian I am kid but I can do 999+ tricks with top

[@Eddyjrismall]

In mexico

[@anitapradhan714]

I need a trompo

[@pappees79]

My top no bearing

[@MarkHayward]

Right now I prefer fixed tip, but I was a bearing guy for a long time

[@blackdemonnv5572]

bro I know 13 tricks because.............l am an Indian 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@MarkHayward]

That's awesome!

[@izobretatel1964]

👍

[@everythings5168]

❤️❤️👍👍

[@abhineetnawanichannel1804]

👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍🙏🙏🙏

[@قبلسنةواحدة-ل4ر]

spin

[@kingslayer1732]

South Africans here?

[@VedVentures]

I almost broke something in our house

[@MarkHayward]

"Almost" is the best way to break stuff! 😄

[@VedVentures]

Right

[@chitrasaravanan9334]

Milegi bambaram

[@Prostar001]

Its very poop💩 It's does not working 😡😡🤬

[@MarkHayward]

You can do it! Keep at it! Top spinning is not easy. If it was, no one would need this tutorial. It's going to feel so good when you get it 🙂

[@philisiwezondo5870]

i am 12 i have 3

[@DipenBavaji-y8z]

Where this spinners we will get

[@DipenBavaji-y8z]

Where this spinners we will get