Begin Juggling
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Learning to juggle means learning to do this:
This pattern is commonly called Cascade, using site-swap '3'.
If you are already interested in juggling,
you may be able to do this, with two balls:
One hand will toss, because you can already do that;
the other hand will catch, and it passes the ball across without tossing.
Mostly, you are trying to cheat, without learning anything new.
To add a third ball, you must toss much higher and faster, and nearly perfectly:
very few people can learn to juggle three that way as beginners, and quit trying.
Another way to do two balls is this:
If you would make yourself do that with each hand equally, that would be a way to learn to juggle.
There are many ways to do Two In One Hand, and more ways to add a third ball.
To learn three balls the easiest way,
you have to learn to do this:
Both hands do the same toss.
Toss from the center, catch to the side.
Until your other hand can do the same toss, you cannot go on.
Watching the ball at the top of the arc is very important:
...that is how you learn to catch it.
Make each toss about as high as your eyes:
...too low will be too fast, too high will go wild.
Your hand goes down with the catch, up for the toss, down up, down up.
That swinging motion is often called "scoop".
What you do with your hands is this:
If you cannot yet make your hands do that, going on will be much harder.
Try to do that in front of a mirror to make sure you can do that smoothly.
What you will do next can be easier or harder, depending on what you use for balls.
If they are too big, too small, too light, too heavy, too slippery, too rough, and bounce and roll at all, learning will be harder.
Start with anything you can both toss and catch easily, and can hold two in one hand.
When you are tossing very well with both hands,
get one ball in each hand.
The hard part now is making the second toss.
For the time being, it is best to do two tosses and two catches in a steady rhythm.
You can practice this like that first:
It helps to say the rhythm "Toss-toss-catch-catch" aloud. Now you can go on doing the same with balls crossing:
Start with each hand next, so the same ball always starts.
The second ball seems to go under the leading ball to another aiming point.
Some people see an X shape for the two paths, and watch the balls crossing the same point in the middle.
Some see a frame and they aim for the two top corners, or aim for two spots in the air.
You can practice "running" this, keeping it going,
starting from one side, then the other, one ball always leading:
...when both balls are in the air, one hand is waiting too long.
To use three balls, one hand must hold two and toss one.
One ball is held in front in your thumb and first two fingers. It will be the first toss.
The other ball is held behind it at the base of your palm with your two end fingers,
and then you let it roll into your tossing grip, ready to be the third toss.
Make sure you can do that starting toss, making a good arc up and to the other hand.
Then, get two balls in one hand, one in the other hand.
Starting as you just learned with one of the two balls,
...the second toss is the one ball in the other hand,
try to toss each one, ONE TWO THREE:
Now, making the third toss is the hard part.
If the tosses are good, you just keep tossing what you catch.
Do not reach or chase after a bad toss: if a toss goes wild, let it drop.
Try again.
If a toss was good, you will catch it easily and toss it back up.
This is not a game of catch with yourself: it is about tossing just right.
If your tosses go too far forward,
...your arms may be out stiff, swing only from the elbow;
...or, you are letting it go too soon, carry it more up to toss.
Tossing higher does give you more time, but takes much greater accuracy.
Practicing over a bed or couch will save time and make it easier to "practice practic practice".
So will using balls that do not roll or bounce.
Take a look at Balls for Beginners to see about choosing something that will help.
Do not give up -- give it more practice.
Go back and practice the parts, then put it together again.
Practicing more times per day is better than struggling longer.
Making a few good tosses many times is better than making any bad tosses.
It may take weeks, it may take months:
- the harder you have to work, the better it will feel when you "get it".
All further toss juggling will assume that you can do Cascade "in your sleep".
Site-swap also assumes that you know this is '3'.
So, the best tactic is to further develop this pattern -- see 3 Ball Cascade.
Most people who continue will next work on Basic Tricks.
Many people next change props: rings, clubs, bounce, or passing.
However you might continue, there is no set program, or limit
...and only a small portion of people who can juggle, ever perform.
When you can do it, do it your way.
