LEARN TO JUGGLE
The juggling pattern with three balls is called the cascade and it looks like this.
Follow all the steps in how to learn to juggle and do go back a stage if you find you get stuck.
TOP TIP
When you learn how to juggle your attention on the throw. Do not worry about the catch. In fact drop the ball on purpose as this means you keep your throws relaxed
Start by holding one ball gently in your hands as shown
The target points
Looking up above your head you can imagine two points.
This is where you aim your throws.
The swing
Take one ball and gently swing the ball in a scooping motion up past your belly button and towards the opposite target point.
Gently catch it in your opposite hand
One Ball Scoop
Practice this swing so you can go from right to left and left to right.
As you can see the hand swings in.
It is a very gentle throw
TOP TIP
If you want just swing the ball up and let it drop to the floor.
The most important thing is to have a relaxed throw. the catching will eventually take care of itself- I promise :0)
SPLATS CHALLENGE
Put a single clap in-between the throw and the catch. Make sure you still throw from one hand and catch in the other.
TWO BALLS – THE TWO BALL DROP
Take one ball in each hand. Gently throw the first ball up to the opposite point, when it reaches there throw the second ball up to the opposite point.
Let the balls drop to the floor.
so the rhythm is Throw Throw Drop Drop
Or Throw Throw Splat Splat:0)
the balls should be landing fairly close to you either side of your feet
TOP TIP
Do keep dropping but still concentrate on making smooth relaxed upward throws that if you wanted you could catch.
TWO BALL CROSS
Now you are ready to start catching
so the rhythm is Throw Throw Catch Catch
TOP TIP
a common mistake is to pass the ball from hand to hand instead of throwing them up.
If you do this start from the hand you DON’T write with first. that should break the habit.
ANOTHER TOP TIP
if you are finding it is difficult or feels rushed go back a stage and let the balls drop.
remember you target points.
SPLATS CHALLENGE
Can you throw throw catch catch starting from your left side and starting from your right
THREE BALLS
Ok time for three balls
Take two ball in one hand and one in the other.
Remember your target points
Now starting from the hand that has two in do exactly the same as you did with two balls throwing corner to corner but now when the second ball reaches it’s opposite point throw the third.
the third ball goes to exactly the same place as the first
AGAIN LET THE BALLS DROP
So the rhythm is
Throw Throw Throw Drop Drop Drop
Think UP UP UP
Or CROSS CROSS CROSS
Now if you can start catching.
If you want just catch the first ball as this will be your fourth throw.
The fourth throw is exactly the same as the second
Now every time a ball reaches one target point throw the next ball up and under it.
THE THREE BALL CASCADE
This is what it should look like
TOP TIP
Obviously to keep juggling you do need to catch BUT a good tip is to see HOW MANY THROWS CAN YOU DO rather than catches as that will give you more freedom to get the throws out.
REMEMBER the secret to good juggling is an accurate relaxed throw then the catching takes care of itself.