A method for controlling a vehicle system by a user is provided. A series of sensor data is received, where a series of positions is generated and the position of a body part is determined from each element of the series of sensor data. A first position, a second position, and a third position are selected from the series of positions, and a first circumferential angle is determined, the angle being defined by the first, second, and third positions. A first circular direction in the clockwise direction is detected if the first circumferential angle lies between a first lower threshold value and a first upper threshold value, and a first circular direction in the counter clockwise direction is detected if the first circumferential angle lies between a second lower threshold value and a second upper threshold value. The vehicle system is controlled depending on the first circular direction detected.