Instructions for Juggling
In the broadest, realistically accurate definition, juggling is skillful — and at times artistic — manipulation of objects, typically for the purpose of performance or entertainment. The most culturally recognizable form of this is toss juggling, a type in which multiple objects, usually balls, rings, or clubs, are simultaneously tossed and caught in a rhythmic and repetitive set of movements. While toss juggling can be performed with any number of objects, the lowest number that is usually recognized as juggling to a layman is three, and it is that exact toss juggling of three objects that this article aims to provide instruction for. However, confining oneself to the box of public perception does little to platform innovation and creativity. Three-object toss juggling is important in that it is the easiest form of toss juggling to build the muscle memory required for most more complicated variants, not in that it is easily recognizable to those not familiar with juggling. Doing what is known is not the end goal, but in order to stand on the shoulders of giants, one must climb them first.
Step 1: Have Arms?
As an important note, this article must assume the reader to have adequate control of two arms and two hands. If this is not the case, fear not, as many forms of toss juggling make use of any part of the body that one may have control over. Just look at the form of juggling popularized in the soccer community, in which a singular soccer ball is juggled using the feet, knees, chest, back, head, or shoulders. Unfortunately this article will not cover this or any other variations of juggling applicable to those without the use of two arms, but yet again fear not, as there are many online resources to learn any form of juggling that is commonly practiced.
Step 2: Time and Money
Assuming three-object juggling with the hands is possible, the two additional logistic factors to consider are time and money. These factors are by no means specific to juggling, but stem from the cultural and economic backgrounds in which this article exists and likewise, are logistical considerations in the pursuit of almost any physical or artistic hobby or activity. As for juggling, the requirements in terms of both time and money are exceptionally modest. The financial obligations involved are merely the acquisition of three objects with which to juggle. Balls designed for juggling can be purchased from online distributors to provide the most comfortable juggling experience, but for learning purposes, any set of round objects will work. Sports balls are the most common alternative, such as tennis balls, racquet balls, or baseballs. It is imperative that the three balls used are identical in size, weight, and material. Ball discrepancies can disrupt the ability for muscle memory to form and in turn slow progress considerably. As for time, learning to juggle is similar to that of learning to ride a bicycle. There is an initial investment of time, in this case anywhere from one to a dozen hours or more depending on the person, but typically, two to four hours should be enough to build a core muscle memory. From then, there is a nominal time cost of maintenance to preserve the skill.
Once three identical balls and roughly half a dozen hours of free time are acquired, the juggling can begin.
Step 3: Environmental Factors
Juggling, as with all activities, is a pursuit that does not happen alone but is influenced by the context and environment in which it is practiced and performed. If one is juggling balls on the side of a mountain and drops a ball, their three-ball toss juggling session may end immediately. Likewise, if one is juggling while sitting in a chair and tosses a ball too far forward or to the side, they may not have the mobility to catch it and continue or risk falling over trying to do so. The optimal environment for three-ball toss juggling is an open, even surface. There should be room to move in all directions without restriction, and dropped balls should remain close to where they fall.
Step 4: Step 1
In order to juggle three balls, one must first learn to juggle one. Luckily, this is a skill that most people already possess, as the ability to toss and catch an object is a fundamental step in developing basic hand-eye coordination. The problem, however, in expanding this skill to that of tossing and catching three objects is that with one object, a level of focus and attention can be granted to both the toss and catch that is not available when more objects are added to the equation. With three objects, both tosses and catches happen simultaneously and are confined to peripheral vision.
There are four variations of one-ball toss juggling: left to left, left to right, right to left, and right to right. Practice each variation for 10+ minutes, focusing on two points. As stated earlier, the end goal restricts clear vision of each event, so do not look at the ball as it is tossed and caught, but merely keep it in peripheral view. More importantly, do not move on from a variation until it is absolutely consistent. Every toss should leave the tossing hand at the same velocity and angle, reach the same height, and land directly in the receiving hand with little to no adjustment required.
Step 5: Progress
At this point, a second ball can be introduced. It is important now to understand the concept of a “juggle.”A juggle is one loop of a juggling sequence. If three balls are being juggled, a sequence of 3 tosses and catches would constitute one juggle. Juggling as a whole is just a continuous loop of individual juggles, and as such, the vast majority of learning to juggle is learning how to complete a juggle and then learning how to loop that set of motions. The last step involved looping single tosses and catches, which is effectively ⅓ of a juggle of three balls. The obvious next step is to complete ⅔ of a juggle.
The motion required to achieve this consists of two one-ball juggles: left to right and right to left. The key is that these motions will be offset. Starting with a ball in each hand, make a right-to-left toss. This should have a height of at least two feet. When the ball is falling towards the left hand, at the last moment, toss the ball in the left hand, then catch the falling ball in that now empty hand. Finally, catch the remaining ball in the right hand. The difficult step in this set of motions is the immediate toss-then-catch of the left hand. This should be a smooth, counter-clockwise circular motion of the left hand. It should move up and in to toss the ball, then slightly out to the left and down to catch the falling ball.
Step 6: Success and failure
The introduction of a second ball is where most aspiring jugglers encounter their first hurdle and where many end their journey. Success may bring joy, but in achievement there is no growth. The step of one-ball toss juggling is merely a competency check. Two-ball toss juggling is the beginning of knowledge, the first step into the unknown. Attempt two-ball toss juggling and know the expected outcome is failure. The balls will collide. The first toss will be inaccurate. The second toss will be inaccurate. These will all happen over and over again. Continue working not until ⅔ of a juggle is achieved but until the motion cannot be failed. Switch hands so that both are comfortable completing the toss-catch movement. Do not move on until both hands are absolutely consistent.
Step 7: 3/2 is less than 2/1
It is easy to imagine the logical next step to be completing a full juggle, however, a slight detour must be made before this is done. The best way to ensure completion of a goal is to overshoot it, and this detour is, to most, considerably more difficult than three-ball toss juggling. It is two-ball toss juggling using only one hand. The reason for this difficulty is simple: in 3-ball juggling, each hand has 1.5 balls to worry about, but in one-handed two-ball juggling, each hand has two balls to worry about. The easiest way to accomplish this is by keeping the two balls parallel and tossing them straight up. At this point, it may be easy to get a couple of juggles of this variation, but control quickly diminishes, as the motion is difficult to keep up and far more physically demanding than three-ball juggling. Mastery of this skill is unrealistic to expect at this point, and the goal of this step is merely ten juggles in each hand. If this number can be consistently reached, three-ball toss juggling will be a walk in the park.
Step 8: One step back, two steps forward
That last sentence was a lie. Even with this much preparation, three-ball toss juggling is no walk in the park. This step is, essentially, stacking ⅔ juggles onto each other, one after another. Hold two balls in the dominant hand, one in the non-dominant hand, and try to perform one full juggle. At first, it may feel as though none of the previous steps provided any benefit, and control of the three balls is an impossible task. Completion of this step may require a degree of insanity, as the only advice left is to keep trying. Try 100 times, and if a full juggle is yet to be completed, try 200 times more. One tip to help accomplish one juggle is to increase the height of tosses, as this slows the motions down and allows for more time between tosses at the risk of less toss accuracy and consistency.
Step 9: Consistency and variation
After completing one juggle, the work is far from over. Complete two juggles. Complete ten. Juggle for a minute without dropping a ball. Once one juggle is achieved, further progression becomes easily achievable. Try slowly moving forwards or backwards while juggling. Try slowly spinning in a circle. Juggle the balls as high as possible. Juggle the balls as low as possible. Juggle from one room to another. Juggle while walking up or down stairs. Juggle from one class to the next. The more unique situations to involve juggling in, the more muscle memory and hand-eye coordination is built, and the more natural juggling should feel.
Step 10: What now?
Beyond the limited scope of this article, there are a plethora of online resources dedicated to providing easily accessible and impressively extensive juggling information and instruction. The Library of Juggling, in particular, is an incredible resource for jugglers at all levels and gives in depth explanations of many toss-juggling variations and techniques. The art of juggling can be an incredibly rewarding experience (and a great party trick), and hopefully this article can provide a starting point in exploring the potential within it.
Written by Nathan Brooks, Photography: Kenley Becker, Social Media: Manuela Diez