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After reading many books on how to juggle, I have written my own set
of instructions for learning the three ball cascade. Follow each step
carefully, only moving on when you have managed the step at least three
times in a row with each hand. If you have problems, go back one or two
steps and practice some more. |
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Step 0: Forget everything you've ever heard about how to juggle.
Things will go more smoothly if you have no idea what you're doing. Step 1: Start with one ball. Practice tossing it back and forth between your hands. Try to make even arcs that peak at about eye level (fig. 1). Make sure your tosses are pretty much even from both hands before moving on. THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT! |
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Step 2: Now take one ball in each hand. Toss the ball that's in
your weak hand. When it reaches the top of its flight path, drop the
second ball on the floor. When you get the hang of that, switch hands, so
that the stronger is throwing. Step 3: Do the same thing, but this time, when the first ball reaches the top of its flight path, throw the second ball. It doesn't matter where, just get it out of your hand. Remember to switch which hand is doing what, so they both get practice. |
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Step 4: This is the most important step. It will probably take a
little more time and effort than the others, so don't worry if you don't
get it right off. It might help if you imagine you're holdind a box in
your hands. The box is exactly as wide as your juggling balls, as long as
the distance between your hands, and tall enough that you can barely look
over the top. Whenever you throw, aim at the corner of the box opposite
the hand that threw the ball (fig. 2). Now, starting with your weaker hand, toss the first ball towards the opposite corner of the box. As the ball reaches the corner, it should pause then come down. As it pauses, throw the ball in the other hand towards the opposite corner (fig.3). Most of your concentration should be on getting the second ball to hit the upper corner of the box. It might help to talk as you throw. "Throw, throw, catch catch." Then start again in the other hand. |
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Step 5: Now take two balls in your weak hand and one in your
strong hand. Repeat step four, ignoring the third ball for now. This step
is to help you get used to holding three balls. Step 6: This time, just as the second ball hits the top corner of the box, throw the third ball. Anywhere. Tell yourself, "Throw, Throw, THROW." |
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Step 7: Slowly train the third ball to hit the opposite corner of
the box. You should end up with two ball in your strong hand and one in
your weak hand (fig. 4). Step 8: There's nothing new to learn here. This time, instead of stopping after three throws, keep on going. Concentrate on hitting the corners of your box, and say to yourself, "Throw, throw, throw, throw.." You're juggling! |
Here are a few more tips:
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