Juggling pattern

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A variety of tricks involving a single ball being caught or tossed (7th century), which may then be incorporated into a variety of patterns Juggling balls 1.jpg
A variety of tricks involving a single ball being caught or tossed (7th century), which may then be incorporated into a variety of patterns

A juggling pattern or juggling trick is a specific manipulation of props during the practice of juggling. "Juggling, like music, combines abstract patterns and mind-body coordination in a pleasing way." [1] Descriptions of patterns and tricks have been most common in toss juggling. A juggling pattern in toss juggling is a sequence of throws and catches using a certain number of props which is repeated continuously. Patterns include simple ones such as the cascade and complex ones such as Mills mess. A juggling trick in toss juggling is a throw or catch which is different from the throws and catches within a pattern. Tricks include simple ones such as a high throw or more difficult ones such a catch on the back of the jugglers neck, as well as the claw, multiplex, and pass. Systems of juggling notation have been created to describe juggling patterns and tricks. One of these is siteswap notation.

Contents

Patterns

The variety of juggling patterns is extensive. Most patterns involve three or more objects and the props used can include balls, rings and clubs among other props. [2] [3] The basic patterns of toss juggling are the cascade, the shower and the fountain.

Cascade

3 ball-cascade, siteswap: 3 3-ball cascade movie.gif
3 ball-cascade, siteswap: 3

Possibly the simplest juggling pattern to execute, [5] the cascade [6] is a symmetrical pattern performed with an odd number of props greater than or equal to three, with each hand alternately throwing arching throws of equal height to the opposite hand. The cascade is generally performed with the balls caught to the outside of the throws, with the inverse known as a reverse cascade.

Many tricks or patterns are generated from mixing cascade and reverse cascade throws. For example, tennis (siteswap: 3 [7] ) one ball is thrown over (reverse) while the other two are thrown under (inside).

Shower

3-ball shower, siteswap: 51 Douche3b.gif
3-ball shower, siteswap: 51

This pattern can be performed with any number of props greater than or equal to two. Quite often the first pattern attempted by non-jugglers, the shower has props following a "circular" path, with one hand throwing arcing throws of equal height to the opposite hand, and one throwing balls in a horizontal path to the other hand. Showers can be executed in both clockwise and anti-clockwise directions, and both asynchronously and synchronously.

Half shower

Similar to the shower pattern, a half shower pattern (siteswap: 3 [lower-alpha 1] [9] ) is any pattern where both hands throw arcing cascade-like throws to the other hand, but the props from one hand always pass above the props from the other hand. The half shower may be performed with any number of props greater than or equal to three, and with more than four props, different versions of the half shower with varying heights of throw may be executed, even without taking into account both synchronous and asynchronous variations.

Half showers where hands throw at notably different heights may be executed with cascade-style inside throws; this style of half shower is popular in club juggling, where they go by the name of triple-doubles or double-singles due to the higher clubs naturally spinning a greater number of times than the lower clubs.

Fountain

4-ball fountain, siteswap: 4 4-ball juggling.gif
4-ball fountain, siteswap: 4

Performed using an even number of props greater than or equal to four, the fountain is a symmetrical pattern where each hand independently juggles exactly half the total number of props, i.e. each hand always throws to itself. As with the cascade, a fountain where the throws are to the outside of the catches is known as a reverse fountain (siteswap: 4 [11] ). A fountain where only one hand juggles is generally known as an n in one hand, where n is the number of props juggled. Unlike the cascade, fountains can be performed both synchronously (each hand throws at the same time) and asynchronously (hands throw alternately)

Columns

3-ball columns, siteswap: (4,4)(4,0) 3-ball Columns.gif
3-ball columns, siteswap: (4,4)(4,0)

Although various versions of this pattern exist, a columns pattern can be defined as one where the props follow vertical paths through the air. Columns can be performed with any number of props greater than or equal to two. The simplest version of this pattern, two-in-one, uses two balls in one hand while the simplest version of this pattern with three props which are thrown in three equally spaced columns, where the two outside props are thrown simultaneously, with the central prop thrown when the other two are caught. A Mills mess juggled in columns is known as a Boston mess (siteswap: 3 [13] ).

Box

3-ball box, siteswap: (4,2x)(2x,4) Juggling trick 3b box.gif
3-ball box, siteswap: (4,2x)(2x,4)

Box patterns are juggling patterns that combine vertical, columns-like throws with horizontal throws, such as in the shower pattern. Box patterns are so named due to the props in the pattern apparently tracing several sides of a box in the air, and can be performed with any number of props greater than or equal to two, synchronously (see right) or asynchronously (e.g. 612).

Half-box

Half-box, siteswap: 441 Juggling 441.gif
Half-box, siteswap: 441

The half-box (siteswap: 441 [15] ) is similar to the box and two in one hand. Described as, "not terribly difficult....the simplest non-obvious site-swap seems to be 441; it is similar to, but not the same as, the common 3-ball pattern of throwing balls up on the side while passing a ball back and forth underneath in a shower pass from hand to hand." [16]

Mills mess

3-ball Mills Mess, siteswap: 3 3-ball Mills mess.gif
3-ball Mills Mess, siteswap: 3

The Mills mess (named after one of its originators, Steve Mills [18] [19] ) is a symmetrical pattern performed with any number of props greater than or equal to three, in which the arms cross and uncross throwing the props from toward the centre of the pattern in groups of three. In a Mills mess pattern with an odd number of props, each throw is from one hand to the other, whereas with an even number of props, each hand independently juggles half of the props. Thus, a Mills mess can be considered to be a cascade or fountain but with the cross-armed movements.

423

423 path (4 is a one-hand fountain toss, 2 is a hold, and 3 is the toss between hands, which is then repeated with the opposite hands) Juggling 3 ball plain 423 shape.svg
423 path (4 is a one-hand fountain toss, 2 is a hold, and 3 is the toss between hands, which is then repeated with the opposite hands)

There are, "many 423 tricks." [20] For example, the plain 423, [lower-alpha 3] [21] Takeouts, [lower-alpha 4] [22] the Fake Mess, [lower-alpha 1] [23] the W (or 423 columns), [lower-alpha 3] [24] and Burke's barrage. [lower-alpha 4] [20] In Burke's barrage the 3 is a carry, in Takeouts the 4 is a carry.

Burke's barrage

3-ball Burke's barrage, siteswap: 423 3BallBurkesBarrage.gif
3-ball Burke's barrage, siteswap: 423

Named after its inventor, Ken Burke, [25] Burke's barrage is quite popular among jugglers due to the impressive arm moves, but it's not so hard to master, compared to the Rubenstein's revenge for example; Burke's barrage is a, "complicated and very classy," juggling pattern. [26] The 3 is a carry, 4 is thrown while crossed under, 3 is caught while crossed under, and 4 is often caught using the claw. [27] [28] The title is unrelated to juggler Luke Burrage, who named a pattern "Burke's Burrage" in Ken's honor.

Rubenstein's revenge

Rubenstein's revenge, siteswap: 52233 Rubensteins Revenge.gif
Rubenstein's revenge, siteswap: 52233

Rubenstein's revenge is a 3-ball pattern named by George Gillson after its inventor, Rick Rubenstein. [26] Along with Mills Mess and Burke's barrage it is one of three well known named juggling patterns that involve complex carries and crossed arm throws. Rubenstein's revenge is usually considered the most involved and difficult of the three. [26] [30]

Windmill

A windmill, [lower-alpha 2] [31] or false shower, [32] is a juggling pattern which resembles the shower. It is often considered a prerequisite or preparation for Mills Mess, or the other way around. One hand throws outside (or reverse cascade) and the other throws underarm, so that the outside hand catches while crossed over the underarm hand. Siteswap: 3.

Pass juggling

Four-count, or "Every others": <333P|333P> Classic 4beats passing 2juggler 6balls side.gif
Four-count, or "Every others": <333P|333P>

Siteswap may also be extended to pass juggling. Simultaneous juggling: <xxx|yyy> notation means one juggler does 'xxx' while another does 'yyy'. 'p' is used to represent a passing throw. For example, the Four-count, or "Every others", pattern (one of the most basic forms of passing) every fourth throw — that is, every second right-handed throw — is a passing throw, thus the pattern is <333P|333P>. One-count (<3p|3p>), two-count (<33p|33p>), three-count (<333p|333p>), four-count (<3333p|3333p>). [33]

Multiplex patterns

Multiplex: 3-ball Cascade with triplex Multiplex333 33.gif
Multiplex: 3-ball Cascade with triplex

It is possible to create patterns in which two or more balls are caught in and/or thrown from one hand. These patterns are generally called multiplex patterns. Multiplex throws are given different names depending on the number of balls used, for example a two-ball throw would be called a duplex and a three-ball throw, a triplex, and so on. Multiplex throws are generally grouped into two categories, stacked multiplex and split multiplex.

Stacked multiplex

Stacked multiplex throws involve throwing two or more props from one hand and catching them in the same hand (though not necessarily the same hand that they were thrown from). The props will usually be "stacked" one above the other in the air, and thus will be caught in a staggered fashion. Stacked throws can replace any regular single prop throw within a pattern, though if the props are staggered enough they can be caught and thrown again separately; this type of stacked throw is known as a cut. The term cut was coined by Daniel Marden, [34] a leading figure on multiplex juggling in the online juggling community.[ citation needed ]LibraryofJuggling.com has a trick named after him. [35]

Split multiplex

Split multiplex throws, as the name suggests, involve throwing two or more props from one hand and "splitting" them in the air so that each hand catches one or more props. Some split props may be level in the air, and so may be caught simultaneously by both hands, or they may be of different heights, and so will be caught in a staggered fashion as with the cut stacked throw.

Ladder diagrams

See also

Notes

  1. 1 2 3 4 Difficulty: 3/10 [36]
  2. 1 2 3 4 Difficulty: 5/10 [36]
  3. 1 2 3 Difficulty: 2/10 [36]
  4. 1 2 3 4 Difficulty: 4/10 [36]
  5. 1 2 Difficulty: 7/10 [36]
  6. 1 2 Difficulty: 6/10 [36]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Juggling</span> Circus skill manipulating objects

Juggling is a physical skill, performed by a juggler, involving the manipulation of objects for recreation, entertainment, art or sport. The most recognizable form of juggling is toss juggling. Juggling can be the manipulation of one object or many objects at the same time, most often using one or two hands but other body parts as well, like feet or head. Jugglers often refer to the objects they juggle as props. The most common props are balls, clubs, or rings. Some jugglers use more dramatic objects such as knives, fire torches or chainsaws. The term juggling can also commonly refer to other prop-based manipulation skills, such as diabolo, plate spinning, devil sticks, poi, cigar boxes, contact juggling, hooping, yo-yo, and hat manipulation.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cascade (juggling)</span> Pattern in juggling

In toss juggling, a cascade is the simplest juggling pattern achievable with an odd number of props. The simplest juggling pattern is the three-ball cascade, This is therefore the first pattern that most jugglers learn. However, although the shower requires more speed and precision, "some people find that the movement comes naturally to them," and it may be the pattern learned first. "Balls or other props follow a horizontal figure-eight [or hourglass figure] pattern above the hands." In siteswap, each throw in a cascade is notated using the number of balls; thus a three ball cascade is "3".

In the cascade, an object is always thrown from a position near the body's midline in an arc passing underneath the preceding throw and toward the other side of the body, where it is caught and transported again toward the body's midline for the next throw. As a result, the balls travel along the figure-eight path that is characteristic of the cascade.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Siteswap</span> Notation used to describe juggling patterns

Siteswap, also called quantum juggling or the Cambridge notation, is a numeric juggling notation used to describe or represent juggling patterns. The term may also be used to describe siteswap patterns, possible patterns transcribed using siteswap. Throws are represented by non-negative integers that specify the number of beats in the future when the object is thrown again: "The idea behind siteswap is to keep track of the order that balls are thrown and caught, and only that." It is an invaluable tool in determining which combinations of throws yield valid juggling patterns for a given number of objects, and has led to previously unknown patterns. However, it does not describe body movements such as behind-the-back and under-the-leg. Siteswap assumes that "throws happen on beats that are equally spaced in time."

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fountain (juggling)</span>

The fountain is a juggling pattern that is the method most often used for juggling an even number of objects. In a fountain, each hand juggles separately, and the objects are not thrown between the hands, thus the number of balls is always even since any number of balls in one hand is doubled by the same number in the other hand. To illustrate this, it can be seen that in the most common fountain pattern where four balls are juggled, each hand juggles two balls independently. As Crego states "In the fountain pattern, each hand throws balls straight up into the air and each ball is caught in the same hand that throws it."

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Multiplex (juggling)</span>

Multiplexing is a juggling trick or form of toss juggling where more than one ball is in the hand at the time of the throw. The opposite, a squeeze catch, is when more than one ball is caught in the hand simultaneously on the same beat. If a multiplex throw were time-reversed, it would be a squeeze catch.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mills' Mess</span> Pattern in juggling using three objects

In toss juggling, Mills' Mess is a popular juggling pattern, typically performed with three balls although the props used and the number of objects can be different. The pattern was invented by and named after Steve Mills. It is a well-known trick among jugglers and learning it is considered somewhat of a milestone, "a mind-boggling pattern of circling balls, crossing and uncrossing hands, and unexpected catches."

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Juggling club</span> Equipment used by jugglers

Juggling clubs are a prop used by jugglers. Juggling clubs are often simply called clubs by jugglers and sometimes are referred to as pins or batons by non-jugglers. Clubs are one of the three most popular props used by jugglers; the others being balls and rings.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Box (juggling)</span>

In toss juggling, the box is a juggling pattern for 3 objects, most commonly balls or bean bags. Two balls are dedicated to a specific hand with vertical throws, and the third ball is thrown horizontally between the two hands. Its siteswap is (4,2x)(2x,4).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Flash (juggling)</span>

In toss juggling, a flash is either a form of numbers juggling where each ball in a juggling pattern is only thrown and caught once or it is a juggling trick where every prop is simultaneously in the air and both hands are empty.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Columns (juggling)</span> Juggling pattern

In toss juggling, columns, also known as One-up Two-up, is a juggling trick or pattern where the balls are thrown upwards without any sideways motion, distinguishing it from the fountain. The simplest version involves having three balls, with two going up simultaneously on either side, followed by one going up in the middle. One way to accomplish this is to juggle 2 balls in one hand and one ball in the other, so one hand has to move faster and further than in a regular pattern (cascade), whilst the other remains almost stationary. The hand juggling the center ball can alternate with each repeat to make the pattern symmetric.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Passing (juggling)</span> Juggling between two or more people

Passing is the act of juggling between two or more people. It is most commonly seen as a subset of toss juggling.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rubenstein's Revenge</span> Three-ball juggling pattern

In toss juggling, Rubenstein's Revenge is a 3-ball juggling pattern named by George Gillson after its inventor, Rick Rubenstein. Along with Mills' Mess and Burke's Barrage, it is one of three well-known named juggling patterns that involve complex carries and crossed arm throws. Rubenstein's Revenge is usually considered the most involved and difficult of the three.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Toss juggling</span> Form of juggling

Toss juggling is the form of juggling which is most recognisable as 'juggling'. Toss juggling can be used as: a performing art, a sport, a form of exercise, as meditation, a recreational pursuit or hobby.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shower (juggling)</span> Juggling pattern

In toss juggling, the shower is a juggling pattern for 3 or more objects, most commonly balls or bean bags, where objects are thrown in a circular motion. Balls are thrown high from one hand to the other while the other hand passes the ball back horizontally. "In the shower pattern, every ball is thrown in a high arc from the right hand to the left and then quickly passed off with a low throw from the left to the right hand ." The animation depicts a 3-ball version. Siteswap notation for shower patterns is (2n-1)1, where n is the number of objects juggled. The circular motion of the balls is commonly represented in cartoons as the archetypical juggling pattern, somewhat at odds with reality, where the cascade is more common. By constantly reversing the direction, the box pattern can be formed.

Juggling practice has developed a wide range of patterns and forms which involve different types of manipulation, different props, numbers of props, and numbers of jugglers. The forms of juggling shown here are practiced by amateur, non-performing, hobby jugglers as well as by professional jugglers. The variations of juggling shown here are extensive but not exhaustive as juggling practice develops and creates new patterns on a regular basis. Jugglers do not consciously isolate their juggling into one of the categories shown; instead most jugglers will practice two or more forms, combining the varieties of juggling practice. Some forms are commonly mixed, for example: numbers and patterns with balls; while others are rarely mixed, for example: contact numbers passing. Many Western jugglers also practice other forms of object manipulation, such as diabolo, devil sticks, cigar box manipulation, fire-spinning, contact juggling, hat manipulation, poi, staff-spinning, balancing tricks, bar flair and general circus skills.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Juggling notation</span>

Juggling notation is the written depiction of concepts and practices in juggling. Toss juggling patterns have a reputation for being "easier done than said" – while it might be easy to learn a given maneuver and demonstrate it for others, it is often much harder to communicate the idea accurately using speech or plain text. To circumvent this problem, various numeric or diagram-based notation systems have been developed to facilitate communication of patterns or tricks between jugglers, as well the investigation and discovery of new patterns.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Juggling ball</span> Spherical prop used in juggling

Juggling balls, or simply balls, are a popular prop used by jugglers, either on their own—usually in sets of three or more—or in combination with other props such as clubs or rings. A juggling ball refers to any juggling object that is roughly spherical in nature.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Claw (juggling)</span> Juggling trick

In toss juggling, a claw is a trick where the hand throwing or catching a ball is turned upside down so that the palm of the hand faces the ground. The effect is that of the jugglers hand appearing to snatch the ball out of the air. A claw can be juggled as an isolated trick, or be incorporated into an already existing juggling pattern. For example, the Boston Mess can be juggled with each right hand throw as a claw. The resulting pattern in known as cherry picking.

Juggling terminology, juggling terms:

References

  1. ↑ Borwein, Jonathan M.; ed. (1997). Organic Mathematics, p.134. American Mathematical Soc. ISBN   9780821806685.
  2. ↑ Dancey, Charlie (1995). Compendium of Club Juggling. Bath: Butterfingers. ISBN   1-898591-14-8.
  3. ↑ Dancey, Charlie (2001). Encyclopedia of Ball Juggling. Devon: Butterfingers. ISBN   1-898591-13-X.
  4. ↑ "Cascade". LibraryofJuggling.com . Retrieved 8 July 2014.
  5. ↑ Bernstein, Nicholai A. (1996). Dexterity and Its Development, p.379. ISBN   9781410603357.
  6. ↑ "How to Juggle" . Retrieved 23 January 2012.
  7. ↑ "Juggler's Tennis". LibraryofJuggling.com . Retrieved July 8, 2014.
  8. ↑ "Shower". LibraryofJuggling.com . Retrieved July 8, 2014.
  9. ↑ "Half-Shower". LibraryofJuggling.com . Retrieved July 8, 2014.
  10. ↑ "Fountain". LibraryofJuggling.com . Retrieved July 8, 2014.
  11. ↑ "Reverse Fountain", LibraryofJuggling.com. Accessed July 8, 2014.
  12. ↑ "Columns". LibraryofJuggling.com . Retrieved July 8, 2014.
  13. ↑ "Boston Mess". LibraryofJuggling.com . Retrieved July 8, 2014.
  14. ↑ "Box". LibraryofJuggling.com . Retrieved July 8, 2014.
  15. ↑ "Half-Box". LibraryofJuggling.com . Retrieved July 8, 2014.
  16. ↑ Borwein, Jonathan M.; ed. (1997). Buhler, Eisenbud, Graham, Wright. "Juggling Drops and Descents", Organic Mathematics: Proceedings of the Organic Mathematics Workshop, December 12–14, 1995, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British Columbia, p.141. American Mathematical Soc. ISBN   9780821806685.
  17. ↑ "Mill's Mess". LibraryofJuggling.com . Retrieved July 8, 2014.
  18. ↑ Dancey, Charlie (1995). Charlie Dancey's Compendium of Club Juggling. UK: Butterfingers Books. p. 116. ISBN   1-898591-14-8 . Retrieved December 13, 2010.
  19. ↑ Arthur Lewbel (Winter 1994–1995). "Academic Juggler - A Messy History and Other Academic Notes". Juggler's World. International Jugglers' Association. 46 (4): 31. Archived from the original on July 17, 2011. Retrieved December 13, 2010. Apparently [Ron] Graham experimented with many patterns that crossed hands or changed direction in the Mess way, some of which were likely to be close to the current Mess: Steve studied Ron's patterns, and other jugglers as well, including films of Vaudeville jugglers. From this stew, the Mess emerged. Ron and Steve juggled at the YMCA in Morristown, N.J., when the mess was created, but the name "Mills Mess" was given to this trick some years later on the West coast by Ed Jackman, Barrett Felker, and/or Norm Johnson.
  20. 1 2 3 "Burke's Barrage". LibraryofJuggling.com . Retrieved July 8, 2014.
  21. ↑ "423". LibraryofJuggling.com . Retrieved October 24, 2016.
  22. ↑ "Takeouts". LibraryofJuggling.com . Retrieved October 2, 2016.
  23. ↑ "Fake Mess". LibraryofJuggling.com . Retrieved October 24, 2016.
  24. ↑ "the W". LibraryofJuggling.com . Retrieved October 24, 2016.
  25. ↑ Russ Kaufman (Fall 1986). "Festivals - Fireworks in Baltimore". Juggler's World. International Jugglers' Association. 38 (3). Retrieved January 13, 2011.
  26. 1 2 3 Gillson, George (1993). Beyond the Cascade: Step-by-Step Guides to 88 Classic 3-Ball Juggling Tricks , p.68. The Ugly Juggling Co: UK. ISBN   0-9516998-1-4. (p.65).
  27. ↑ "Burke's Barrage", TWJC.co.uk.
  28. ↑ "Burke's Barrage", Juggling.org. Burke's Barrage is, "not complex, and after it, Rubenstein's Revenge is a simple extension."
  29. ↑ "Rubenstein's Revenge". LibraryofJuggling.com . Retrieved July 8, 2014.
  30. ↑ Dancey, Charlie (1994). Charlie Dancey's Encyclopædia of Ball Juggling, p.128. Butterfingers: Bath, England. ISBN   1-898591-13-X.
  31. ↑ "Windmill". LibraryofJuggling.com . Retrieved October 24, 2016.
  32. ↑ Gillson, George (1991/1993). Beyond the cascade: step-by-step guides to 88 classic 3-ball juggling tricks, p.21. Ugly Juggling. ISBN   978-0962793806.
  33. ↑ "Siteswap notation Archived 2016-10-26 at the Wayback Machine ", JugglingLab. Accessed: October 24, 2016.
  34. ↑ "Fun with Multiplexes: Comments: April 12, 2016 at 6:17 pm", Juggle.org.
  35. ↑ "Marden's Marvel". LibraryofJuggling.com . Retrieved March 14, 2020.
  36. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Library of Juggling - Tricks by Difficulty".
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