Juggling, an ancient exhibition art, dates back to 4000 years ago, with the earliest evidence represented with hieroglyphs on Egyptian tombs. A juggler is very pleasing to watch, and often makes his job seem very simple. However, as long as you are a beginner, the balls will be much more often on the ground than in the air. However, with some instruction and a lot of practice you could become a great three-ball juggler - just follow the steps outlined here to get started.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Familiarize yourself
Step 1. Find some ideal balls
A good choice is to choose balls that are not too light and not too big (or too small as marbles). If you are a beginner, you may want to use small balls filled with sand. They should fit the size of your hand well.
- Try using small bean bags or juggling balls when learning. They don't bounce or roll away when you drop them, and you can spend your energy spinning them instead of chasing them.
- You can make your own juggling balls from tennis balls or balloons.
Step 2. Find a suitable place to stand
When you learn to juggle, you will drop balls and it is best not to be near fragile objects and have a lot of space by your side. Outdoors it is ideal.
Stand comfortably, with your feet shoulder-width apart. If you can, stand next to a surface (like a table or bed) so you don't have to constantly bend over
Step 3. Start with a ball
Throw a ball from hand to hand at head height with a bow. Familiarize yourself with the feel and weight of the ball. Note that the trajectory is an arc, and not a circle as you might have thought.
- A common mistake made by beginners is to throw the ball too high. It is important to ensure that the ball does not exceed the height of the head or eyes. Don't throw it too low either, as this will force you to execute the number faster, making it more difficult to control three balls.
- As you get better at throwing a ball, start moving your arms in a gentle circular motion, facing inwards. This is a much closer motion to the final one you'll use to spin three balls. You're not trying to shoot in a circle though, just move your hands like this.
Step 4. Switch to two balls
Put a ball in each hand. Throw the first ball towards the left hand at the height of the head.
Before ball 1 reaches your left hand, release ball 2 to the right and grab it. Keep your hands open (i.e. don't close it on the ball after grabbing it)
Step 5. Throw the second ball when the first reaches maximum height
The only difference between this move and the one with three balls is that you will have to do it one more time - so you almost got it.
Keep practicing this movement. Once you manage to master it, the remaining steps will be much easier
Method 2 of 3: With Three Balls
Step 1. Switch to three balls
Hold two balls in your right hand and the other in your left. If you are left handed, follow these instructions in reverse. Only continue with this step when you feel confident with two balls.
You remember how you had to throw the second ball when the first was at the highest point. Now you just have to pull the third when the second is at its highest point. It is the same principle
Step 2. Start with your right hand and throw ball 1 (blue) to your left hand
Remember that the ball should reach head height.
Step 3. Release the 2 (red) ball towards the right hand when the 1 (blue) ball is about to land in the left
At maximum height, you'll have about a second. It is a long time!
Step 4. When the 2 (red) ball is about to land in your right hand, release the 3 (green) ball in its arc towards your left hand
Grab both balls. This is the hard part - grabbing and throwing - so keep trying!
It often helps to roll the ball forward in your right hand with a slight forward motion of the hand before throwing it. The departing ball will travel within the arc of the oncoming ball. You're mistaking the one in your hand for the one in the air
Step 5. Repeat the steps as required
Keep practicing until you are familiar with the movements, then stop grabbing and holding the balls at the end. Don't worry about walking forward; it is normal for beginners. With practice, you will be able to perform the 3 paddle game with your feet firmly still in the usual spot.
- Keep rolling the balls for as long as possible. Increase speed with practice. Try to make the balls appear to be in constant motion.
- Keep practicing! You will become a better juggler with just practice and training, and you will learn to drop fewer balls and perform the number faster.
Method 3 of 3: Juggling Tricks
Step 1. Learn to cast "over the top"
In the normal version of the number, you have to move your right hand clockwise and your left hand counterclockwise; in other words, you moved them inward. To perform an over-the-top throw, simply reverse the movement. When you drop a ball into your hand, instead of throwing in, reverse the movement and throw it from the outside.
Start rehearsing with just one ball. Then, when you can throw it well with this movement, try them all. Some call these flips external flips
Step 2. Experiment with different hand positions
Now that you know the traditional and over the top method, start grabbing balls in different ways. If you do, you can look like a wizard.
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Use the claw grip. With this grip you will grab the balls higher and higher, working with the palm of your hand facing down. Make sure you give a wrist-up whip when throwing the ball, to give it a vertical trajectory, working at shoulder height. Start with a ball, grabbing it and throwing it with the same hand.
Imagine a cat juggling. You'll make an impression somewhere between Tom Cruise in Minority Report and a cat juggling
- Try grabbing the balls with the back of your hand. You can do this during the number or at the end. Once you manage to do that, try grabbing them with your head!
Step 3. Try the "shower" trick
When you started with two balls, do you remember throwing one horizontally? You can do the same with three. You will need to use one hand to throw and the other to grab the balls.
Using this trick, you will need to throw the balls higher. You'll have two balls in the air following each other, so you'll need to throw them higher to give them time to complete their trajectories
Step 4. Perform the "box" launch
In this game, a ball is always thrown between the two hands horizontally. The second ball always remains in your right hand and the third always in the left. This three-sided throw gives the impression of the box.
Start with two balls in your right hand. Throw one ball left into the air - as soon as you do, throw the second ball from right to left. And as soon as you grab the ball with your left, throw the second ball into the right and the ball into the left, catching the ball that moves horizontally when the right hand is free
Advice
- If you find yourself moving forward, stand facing a wall or bed to avoid moving. Standing in front of a bed will also make it easier for you to retrieve the balls when you drop them.
- Focus on performing all throws at the same height, head or eye level.
- The real secret to becoming a successful juggler is knowing when to stop - as soon as you feel the balls start running out of you, grab them all with a big gesture and a big smile!
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Count to help you:
- Practice throwing the ball in an arc, from left to right hand. Grab with your left hand and then with your right hand. Stop. Throw ball one, pause for a moment, then throw the second ball, then stop. One, two, grab, grab, stop. One, two, stop. One, two, stop.
- Repeat the same exercise, but now start with the left hand instead of the right. Practice until you can do it smoothly. When you get it right, add the third ball. You will find that this roll will replace the word "Stop" in the previous account. One, two, three, one, two, three, etc.
- Be patient and train a lot. If you think this is difficult, think of Enrico Rastelli, who was able to spin 10 balls at the same time! (He trained 12 hours a day!)
Warnings
- Make sure you shoot with a bow. The ball should travel in a plane parallel to your body.
- Don't throw both balls at the same time. You should take a short break between flips.
- At first this game may seem impossible to you. Don't be overcome by frustration; an average person can juggle three balls for only 30 seconds.
