There are two ways to juggle two balls in one hand. The first way is called the shower pattern. This is when you throw the ball in an elongated circle.
The second way of juggling two balls in one hand is called the columns pattern. This is when you throw the ball straight up and move your hand back and forth to keep it from hitting the ground.
Before practicing two balls in one hand
First of all, relax and smile, and enjoy the process! Don’t be afraid to make mistakes or drop a ball!
Juggling should be fun, not stressful. Try to enjoy yourself and focus on the movements involved, rather than worrying about how you look or whether or not you have succeeded.
To start juggling two balls in one hand, you can begin by practicing the shower pattern or the columns pattern. No matter which pattern you choose, you can start by practicing with just one ball to build up your skills and confidence before adding another ball into the mix.
Consistent height
Whether you are learning how to use the shower pattern or the columns pattern, one of the most important things to remember is to throw the ball to the same height each time. This will help you build up a consistent rhythm and a good sense of control.
Same rhythm
Rhythm is important when practicing juggling, so make sure to throw the balls at regular intervals, same height, and let the ball fall but not lift your hand to catch it.
If you lift your hand to catch the ball, the interval of the ball drops from the peak will be different, and it will become much more difficult to maintain a steady rhythm.
That’s why you need to try to throw the ball to the same height every time to give you the intervallic feeling of the ball reaching its peak.
Practicing counting will help you set the rhythm and keep your movements steady.
Start by counting “one” when you throw the ball, “two” when the ball reaches the top of its peak or arc, and “three” when you catch it again.
How high should you throw the ball?
It is often helpful to throw the ball over your head, as this will give you more time to react and make any necessary adjustments. As a beginner, you are not likely to be able to respond quickly to a ball that is thrown too low, so be sure to start by practicing in this way.
You can try throwing the ball at different heights to see what feels most comfortable for you, and then keep practicing at that height.
Remember to keep the ball at a consistent height, as this will help you maintain a good rhythm and control over your juggling.
Columns Pattern
1. Your preparation poses
Hold your hand in line with your shoulder, with your elbow pointed down and forearm sticking out. Your eyes should be focused on the peak point where you are throwing the ball. Do not lift your hand to catch the ball, but instead allow it to fall to hang.
2. Start by practicing with one ball.
Step 1: Gently hold the ball facing up, place your hand a little bit outside your body, in line with your shoulder.
Step 2: Count “one”, raise your forearm and toss the ball vertically. The ball must be thrown straight up with no arc or curve. Keep your palm open after releasing the ball.
Step 3: Count “two” when the ball reaches the top of its peak.
Step 4: Let the ball fall to your hand; count “three” as you catch it.
Step 5: Move your hand inside your body and repeat step 2 above.
Repeat these movements at a steady pace until you feel comfortable with
Continue throwing and catching the ball at regular intervals, adjusting your arm height if necessary to maintain a consistent rhythm and steady arc.
It may take some practice to get a feel for this pattern, but with time and patience, you will be able to juggle two balls with ease!
Counting 1, 2, and 3 is only to get the feeling of the interval. You can practice juggling without counting if you feel confident.
3. Practicing with two balls.
Once you’ve mastered one-ball juggling, you can progress to two-ball.
Step 1: Gently hold two balls in one hand facing up, place your hand a little bit outside of your body, in line with your shoulder.
Step 2: Raise your forearm and toss the first ball vertically into the air. The ball must be thrown straight up with no arc or curve.
Step 3: Move in your hand swiftly. When the first ball reaches its peak, throw the second ball straight up into the air.
Step 4: Move out your hand quickly and be ready to let the first ball fall into your hand.
Step 5: Move in your hand and let the second ball fall into your hand.
Congratulation! You have successfully done one catch!
Repeat the steps above until you have completed several catches continuously. Then you can practice the other hand.
Shower Pattern
1. Your preparation poses
Like the columns pattern preparation poses, you should hold the ball in line with your shoulder, with your elbow pointed down and forearm sticking out. Again, your eyes should be focused on the peak point where you are throwing the ball.
2. Start by practicing with one ball.
Step 1: Place your hand in front of your body, and hold a ball gently facing up.
Step 2: Count “one” and toss the ball up and slightly to the side of your throwing hand, which will form a clockwise arc.
Step 3: When the ball reaches its peak, count “two”. Move your hand outside and be ready to catch the ball.
Step 4: Let the ball fall to your hand; count “three” as you catch it.
Step 5: Repeat the steps above.
The steps above are clockwise one-ball shower pattern. You can also practice the counter-clockwise one-ball shower by starting by placing the hand outside of your body and reversing the direction you toss the ball.
3. Practicing with two balls.
Once you’ve mastered one-ball juggling, you can progress to two-ball.
Step 1: Gently hold two balls in one hand facing up, place your hand a little bit outside of your body, in line with your shoulder.
Step 2: Raise your forearm and toss the first ball up and slightly to the side of your throwing hand. The ball must be thrown with a clockwise arc.
Step 3: Do not Move your hand. When the first ball reaches its peak, throw the second ball.
Step 4: Move out your hand quickly and be ready to let the first ball fall into your hand.
Step 5: After catching the first ball, here you let the second ball fall into your hand to finish one catch and stop. Later, when you can complete a few catches in a row, you can move in your hand and toss the first ball instead of waiting for the second ball to fall.
Repeat the steps above until you have completed several catches continuously. Then you can practice the other hand.
How to keep tossing the ball to the same height?
It could be a challenge for beginner jugglers to keep tossing the balls to the same height. However, it is possible to master this skill with practice and patience.
One of the critical factors in successfully mastering juggling is maintaining a consistent arm height when tossing and catching each ball.
Another factor is to keep a steady rhythm when tossing and catching each ball. This means not throwing the balls too close together or too far apart.
However, if you still find it challenging to maintain the same height, you can try using an external target, such as the top of a door, bookshelf, etc., to help guide your throws.
How to juggle 3 balls in one hand?
Juggling three balls in one hand can be a challenging but rewarding skill. The basic techniques for juggling three balls are similar to those for juggling two balls, but you need to toss the balls at an even higher arc and move your hand more quickly to keep up with them.