Juggling

Introduction

The most widely known form of juggling is toss juggling using “props”. The most common props are balls, clubs, or rings. For a more dramatic effect, objects such as knives, fire torches or chainsaws can also be used.

The simplest juggling pattern is the three-ball cascade. This is the first pattern that most jugglers learn.

For the three-ball cascade the juggler starts with two balls in one hand and the third ball in the other hand. One ball is thrown from the first hand in an arc to the other hand. Before catching this ball the juggler must throw the ball in the receiving hand, in a similar arc, to the first hand. The pattern continues in this manner with each hand in turn throwing one ball and catching another.

Task

Perform the simplest form of juggling, the 3 ball cascade.

Animation of 3 ball cascade. 28 January 2007. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Juggling

Process

Materials: 3 juggling balls

Step 1: Take one ball and throw it in an arc to the opposite hand and back again.

throw should be the same height, about eye level
wait for ball to come down and catch it a waist level, don't reach up
scoop hands in a circle as you throw, clockwise for your right hand, counterclockwise for your left from the inside ( you will complete the motion and catch on the outside)
make sure the ball goes straight up and down, not away from you

Step 2: Using the same throw from Step 1, try two balls with one in each hand.

Throw from your weak hand first
As the first ball peaks throw the second ball underneath the first ball
Complete a circle with your hands and catch the incoming ball on the outside and then release it again on the inside of the circle
Keep the pattern going without stopping.
Got it? Move on to Step 3

Step 3: Start with two balls in one hand and one in the other.

Hold one ball between your thumb and first two fingers and the second ball between your other fingers and the base of your thumb
Start by imaging your throws while doing the motion
Throw the ball between your thumb and first fingers
throw the second ball from the opposite hand underneath ball 1
throw the third ball from the starting hand under ball 2

Still having trouble? Check out this video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x2_j6kMg1co

Duinker, Niels. 25 November 2013. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x2_j6kMg1co

Evaluation

Beginner	Developing	Mastering	Expert
Can throw 1 ball with proper arc using both hands, without looking at them.	Can use 2 balls many times without dropping a ball.	Can easily juggle with 2 balls. Able use 3 balls a few times without dropping them.	Able to juggle three balls many times and rarely drop any balls.