Juggling is not only fun to watch, but also fun to do. It is a demonstration of skill that takes into account coordination, spatial awareness, fine motor control and a surprising degree of endurance. A good juggler is fascinating, weaving intricate patterns and enrapturing movements. However, it is not just fun to watch, but fun to do also. The achievement of keeping several objects flying through the air and of describing patterns of one's own design is a thrill to experience. This article seeks to impart the basic skills needed to juggle a three ball cascade.
Starting Out: One Ball Juggling
Strictly speaking, one ball juggling isn't really juggling at all- it is in fact throwing and catching a ball. Nevertheless, beginning with one ball is a good way to learn and develop the basic pattern for juggling. The thing to remember firstly is that basic juggling is done on a two-dimensional plane rather than a 3D one: the ball runs only from left to right (and vice versa) and from top to bottom (and vice versa), and not forward and back. Thus when practising, aim to keep the ball moving only within these limits, though there will naturally be some slight variation on the third axis.
The basic pattern, then, is one in which the ball describes a sideways figure 8 in the air. the two circles of the 8 correspond to the hand positions and the crossing point of the 8 is on the juggler's centre line. The hand describes the movement from outside to inside along the bottom of the circle, releasing at the centre point. The ball then describes the top of the arc on the other side of the body (i.e. if the right hand throws, the ball follows the top half of the left circle). The catching hand then takes the ball at the outside edge of the circle, before once again describing the bottom half of the circle and releasing at the centre point (see picture entitled Visual Explanation).
Next Step: Two Ball Juggling
Many, many people say "I can juggle with two balls" and, generally, they can't. What they can do is throw one ball and pass the other from hand to hand before catching the first. Generally, the thrown ball only travels in one direction (e.g. left to right). Two ball juggling requires both balls to travel through the air and for balls to travel in both directions (left to right and right to left). Remember the pattern from one ball juggling and apply it to both balls.
However, note that the balls are not released simultaneously: the first ball is thrown and, as it reaches the top of its arc, the second ball is released. Thus as one hand moves in towards the centre line (in order to throw), the other hand is moving out away from it (ready to catch): the full hand moves in, the empty hand moves out.
The rhythm here is quite staccato here: two balls and two hands do not make for a smooth rhythm. On the other hand, two balls work very well in one hand.
Variant: Two Ball, One Hand
The same hand movement is used in order to juggle one handed, the only difference being is that the ball is not thrown towards the opposite side, but rather back to the outer point on the same side. The second ball is released as the first reaches the top of the arc, and the balls describe a circle or oval over the one hand. (Note: the application of one handed juggling is important in the successful execution of four ball juggling).
Balls Away: Three Ball Cascade Technique
The three ball technique should not be a huge step up from one or two ball juggling: the only difference is that the rhythm is smooth and continuous. Once the pattern is established, the movements should be smooth and consistent and any variation from the rhythm should only be an intended one implemented by the juggler.
Take one ball in one hand (usually left, but it is the juggler's choice) and two balls in the other hand (for the sake of discussion, the right hand). With the two ball hand, throw one ball along the proper arc and, as it reaches the top of the arc, release the single ball from the other hand (the left). As this second ball reaches the top of the arc, release the final ball. Assuming the arc was correct, the first ball will be caught at some point between throwing the second and the third. This will then be the next ball thrown in the sequence. The timing will take a bit of practice, but once the rhythm is properly established the act of juggling a basic cascade will become instinctive. It is at this point that one can start to include variations or playing games.
Variations
There are a number of variations that one can use to expand their juggling repertoire. In order to add a third dimension, for instance, one might try juggling against the wall: utilising the same basic pattern, but aiming to bounce the ball off the wall as it reaches the top of the arc. Below are a few variations that can be included once the basic cascade is understood.
- Snatch: The basic cascade pattern is kept, but instead of the palms being held palm up, the hands are held palm forward. from this position the balls are thrown upwards along the normal arc and snatched out of the air.
- Reverse Cascade: The basic cascade pattern, but in reverse (so the balls are thrown at the outer points and caught on the centre line).
- Shower: This involves throwing the balls in a sort of circle. From a basic cascade, start by throwing one ball over the top of the arcs (from point A to point B) and pass the other balls underneath. As each new ball is passed underneath to Point A it is, in turn, returned to Point B over the top.
David HIll - Hi. My name is David, though many people call me Dewi. Formerly studying for a Ph.D. student at Cardiff University (specialising in Welsh ...
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