5/22/2009

Larning how to juggle 3 balls.

Now is the time to have lots of patience. Though it appears easy, this is the toughest step and getting it right before you move ahead will make the whole thing a lot easier.
First imagine two spots, about a foot in front of your forehead, one to the right, one to the left, about 8 inches apart. These are your focus points.
Hold your arms at waist level with your hands naturally out in front of you. This is your rest position. Starting with a ball in your right hand and your left hand empty, toss the ball across to the left imaginary spot and catch it in your left hand. Now toss it back from your left hand across to the imaginary spot on the right and catch it in your right hand.



You've been patient on learning to toss, so let's skip the 2 ball practice. You're here to juggle so let's get to it.
Hold two balls in your right hand, one towards the back of your palm, one at the base of your fingers. Hold the third ball in your left hand. (Vice versa is fine, but I'll describe it from this position).
Start with a 2 ball exchange shown in the image. Toss the first ball from the base of your fingers of your right hand. You can't really "pop" this initial toss from your palm very well, so now is the time to learn to get a good starting toss from the base of your fingers. Just avoid rolling it off your finger tips, and work to hit your imaginary spot without any spin.




You're almost juggling. Now repeat the last lesson, only this time as the second ball passes its spot and is on the way down, toss the ball from your right hand and catch it in your left. Stop. Note where your hands are when they catch the balls, move back to the rest position and try again. Toss from the inside, catch on the outside. To help keep your timing consistent, you might say "left" and "right" as you throw from each hand. It really helps. Practice until you can consistently catch the balls.
Now repeat the above, adding one more toss each time you get comfortable with a set of exchanges. Keep reminding yourself of the basics from the earlier steps.




Once you can sustain the ball exchanges, you're juggling! You'll know when this happens because you'll say to yourself "Hey, I'm juggling!". You can now practice tossing the balls higher, lower, standing on one foot, closing your eyes, juggling coffee mugs and cats. The fame will be fleeting, so take your best shot.