by Emma D

Created on: April 24, 2007   Last Updated: May 01, 2007

I first taught myself to juggle whilst revising for some school exams. I needed a break from looking at page after page of notes and found that going outside into the fresh air and concentrating on a much more practical thing very relaxing. It wasn't easy though and I did spend the first few days chasing my balls around the garden having thrown them at odd angles! (I'm not the most co-ordinated of people it has to be said!)

The best way to start is to practice throwing just one ball from one hand to the other and back again. The aim here is to get it consistently around the same height and not to have to move the catching hand to get it. Try to practice looking up at the peak of the ball rather than watching it fall into your hand - I know it's the opposite to what is instinctive but it will help later when you have three balls to manage.

Once you have mastered this (or nearly mastered this in my case as I am also not very patient!) get a second ball. If we call the ball in your right hand Ball A and the ball in your left hand Ball B:

Throw Ball A into the air. As it reaches it's peak throw Ball B. Catch them both.
Now try throwing the ball that is in your left hand first. Alternate between throwing the ball that is in your left hand and the ball that is in your right to make sure that both hands develop equally.

Finally: three balls...

Start with two balls (A and B) in your right hand with A nearer your finger tips. Hold Ball C in your left hand.

Throw Ball A up and as it reaches it's peak throw Ball C. As C reaches its peak you should catch Ball A and throw Ball B. Catch Ball C. Catch ball B and stop. Now try with Ball A and B in your left hand. Alternate and when you have tried this a few times it will be time to string the two patterns together.

So...holding A and B in your right hand and C in your left.

Throw A.
At its peak throw C.
As C peaks catch A (left hand) and throw B (right hand).
As B peaks catch C (right hand) and throw A (left hand).
As A peaks throw C (right hand) and catch B (left hand).

And so on (it will be more obvious if you run through those instructions with the balls).

Well done! You have just juggled three balls!

A tip for seeing how well you are improving is: as you start to juggle say "one" when you throw the first ball and as you throw each ball after that count upwards. That way you will know how many balls you threw last time and how much you have improved by this time.

Juggling is a great way to improve your hand-eye coordination as well as being a lot of fun.

Enjoy yourselves!

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