Three Ball Juggling:
Step 1: One Ball
Pick up one of the juggling balls. Stand relaxed, knees
slightly bent, forearms parallel to the floor. Hold the ball
in either hand and make your first throw from one hand to
the other. As you release the ball, say out loud “Throw”
and as the ball is caught say “Catch”. This may
sound a little daft but it really is the best way to train
your mind, especially with mastering two balls.
When you throw, try to throw the ball using the least effort.Try
using your wrists and not your elbows or your shoulders. Throw
the ball in an arc to the across your body to the other hand.
The height of the arc should be to about the top of your head.
Try to keep the ball parallel to the front of your body, not
moving towards or away from you.
Try to make each throw as slowly as you can. After each toss,
just pause for a second. Take a breath. If necessary, go back
to your initial stance (forearms parallel to the floor, etc.)
Work on being consistent in your throws - each toss staying
in the same plane - each toss going to the same height, whether
thrown from the Right or the Left hand.
Note: You may have a tendency to throw straight across to
one hand, probably when throwing from your “weakest”
hand (i.e. Left if you’re Right handed.) Don’t
worry, just keep working on making the tosses consistent.
Catching the ball is relatively straight forwards. Try to
keep your hands low as the ball descends, this will give you
more time and retain composure. Practice tossing one ball,
throwing from one hand back to the other, working toward consistent
tosses, and keeping your hands down for the catches. Don’t
forget to say “throw – catch”
Step 2: Add the 2nd Ball
Stay relaxed in the same posture, pick up the second ball
and place one in each hand. Start by throwing the ball in
the Right hand to the Left.
As the ball reaches the top of its arc, throw the 2nd ball
(from the Left) up and underneath the 1st ball. (it sounds
a lot harder than it is). At this stage you should be saying
out loud “Throw, Throw, Catch, Catch” . Aim to
get consistent height of both balls, in that same arc you
worked on with one ball and a rhythm to the words as you say
them.
Repeat this process starting with the left hand and back again,
pausing between throws to regain posture.
You may have a tendency to throw the 2nd ball (especially
if it's from your weaker hand) straight across. That's natural
- and why it's important to start with one ball - so the consistent
arc becomes natural. Try this: Over-compensate by focusing
on the 2nd ball and throwing it a little higher than normal.
It'll even out - and become natural and consistent.
The balls may tend to go out in front of you - away from your
body. (If they haven't yet, they probably will when you add
the 3rd ball.) Over-compensate by throwing them in toward
your body.
Step 3: Time to add the 3rd ball
Pick up all three balls, place two in the Right hand and
1 in the Left.
Note: If you are left-handed, simply swap the reverse the
hands mentioned in this stage..
Throw the top ball from your right hand, just before it reaches
the top of its arc, throw the second ball from your left hand,
just before this reaches the top of its arc throw the last
ball from your right hand. it’s as easy as that!. Now
try to keep going. As the third ball reaches the top of its
arc, throw the ball in your Left hand. As you throw the balls
you should now say out loud “Throw, Throw, Throw, Throw…”
don’t worry about catching the balls, this will happen
naturally, concentrate on achieving a rhythm.
There’s a good chance that the balls didn't behave as
well as they should. The first 2 tosses may have been smooth.
But then, when it's time for the 3rd, you probably panicked.
As you repeat this, force yourself to make that 3rd toss,
even if you miss catching the 1st or 2nd.
The arcs of the tosses may be way off (very high or very low.)
One or more balls may go way out in front of you. Don't panic!
Pick up the balls, Relax, Take a breath. And do it again.
This is where it can get frustrating. Before it does, go back
and repeat the first two stages. |
