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In general it is easier to learn a new juggling trick when you go step-by-step, starting with one or two objects and working your way up. These are some great instructions I found and modified slightly for doing that with Mill's Mess. Step 1: Start with one ball in each hand and your arms crossed, right over left. Throw the ball in your right hand from left to right, uncross your arms and throw the ball in your left hand from left to right as well, following the first one. Don't try to catch them yet. They should both fall near your right foot very clse to each other. Step 2: Now try it again, only as you make the throw with your left, reach across with your left and catch the first ball while it is still in flight. Carry that ball with your left hand over to your right, continuing the fluid motion of the ball. Then catch the second ball with your right hand, underneath your left. Your arms should now be crossed, left over right. Step 3: Now repeat the proccess in the opposite direction. Throw the left hand's ball from right to left. Then uncross your arms and throw the right hand's ball from right to left, following the first ball. Immediately after throwing the right hand reaches across to catch the first ball on your left, and your left hand catches the second ball underneath your right. Now you should be back to the starting position. Step 4: That's the basic pattern. Practice it over and over until it is comfortable and fluid. The idea is to make the second ball chase the first around in a figure eight pattern. Carries are just as important as throws in making the pattern fluid. Do not stop the motion of the ball when you catch it. Continue it with a "carry" so the balls are always in motion. Step 5: Once you can do that, it's time to add the third ball. Hold two balls in your right and one in your left and make the first two throws. Then reach across with your left to make the first catch, and reach under your left with your right to throw the third ball after the first two. In other words, all three balls are thrown from left to right, following the same fight path. Then make the underarm catch of the second ball with your right hand and catch the third with your left hand. You should end up with two balls in your left hand and one in your right, with the left hand crossed over the right. Now do the same thing starting with your left hand. Step 6: Start with your right hand again. This time add in a fourth throw. After you throw the third ball throw the ball in your left hand from right to left. Once you have this down, add on a fifth throw, from right to left, chasing your last throw. Then add a sixth throw, from right to left, chasing the other two. Step 7: Once you can make six successful throws and catches you should be able to keep going (with some practice, of course). The third ball is the tail of the snake as they chase each other around the figure eight. |
