Juggling 101

How to Juggle
Juggling takes skill, control and a will to learn. Here are instructions for the basic three-ball juggle (the cascade) that may have you and your students juggling with abandon! Instead of balls, you might begin with beanbags or wadded up socks. They’re easier to manage. Another tip–practicing a foot or two from a wall can help if your balls seem to be wandering forward and getting out of control. The balls can glance off the wall and you can continue without dropping the balls.

Juggling One Ball
First, learn with one ball. Throw the ball from hand to hand so it peaks at about eye level. The ball should be thrown from the palm of the hand and the hands should be at about hip level and on either side of the body. After you have the throw and catch perfected with one ball to and from both hands, move on to two balls.

Juggling Two Balls
Hold one ball in each hand. Throw the first ball (it doesn’t matter which one) as you did in the first exercise but when it reaches its peak, throw the second ball. Catch the first and then the second. Practice this until you are comfortable with starting with either your left or right hand.

Juggling Three Balls
Now you go to three balls. Hold two in one hand (either hand, whichever is more comfortable) and one in the other. Start by practicing three throws. Throw a ball from the hand holding two balls (we’ll say the right hand). As this first ball reaches its peak, throw the ball from your left hand. The first ball will be caught before the second reaches its peak. As the second ball peaks, throw the ball from your right hand. This is quite difficult, especially catching the balls. Don’t be disheartened if it seems as though the balls spend more time on the ground than in the air. All you need is practice. When you can get three consecutive throws and catches, then add another throw. After four throws and catches, make it five and then just keep going. Before you know it, you’ll be juggling!

Last Updated: 02/16/03
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