juggle 5 balls

I restarted my daily juggling practice about two weeks ago after a bit of a break, and I seem to have made another quantum jump. I’m going to be counting catches from now on, instead of timing the run, because for some reason I find I juggle better if I’m counting, but worse if I try to time myself (which involves glancing at the clock just before and after the run).

Had a great session this evening with a best run of 60 catches (although unfortunately I dropped on throw 61). Disregarding the drop, this puts me half way towards my target of 120 catches, or roughly a 30 second run.

Been making slow but steady progress with this one. I’m now managing several 5 second runs during a session, which is roughly 20 catches. I’ve done longer runs than that, but usually not finishing with a clean catch. I feel like I’ve pretty much ‘got it’ now, meaning that I’m entering the unconscious competence phase, and it’s just a question of tightening up my technique so that I can keep the pattern going for longer. My target is still 30 seconds (or 120 catches) before I mark this goal complete, which is probably going to be a few more months work.

I had been getting a bit frustrated with my slow progress over the past few weeks, but today for some reason, I seem have made a sudden leap forward. I can now make 6 throws to a clean catch pretty consistently, and I’ve also done a few 8’s to a clean catch. Once I get up to 10 and beyond, I’m in the realm of real 5 ball juggling (at least 2 throws for each prop).

I’ve noticed that I’m now managing to make more space in the middle of the pattern, which means I can keep it going longer before collisions bring the run to an end. I’ve also noticed that I’ve gotten better at correcting when the balls go off course. But most of all, it just feels different today. I feel much more in control all of a sudden. Funny how things often go like that.

I can do a pretty clean 5 ball flash now, and just in the last few days I’ve started getting 6 throws to a clean catch. Once or twice I even managed seven!

I’d estimate, based on my progress so far, that it takes at least 20 times as much work to master 5 ball juggling than it does to master 3. It’s amazing how much more difficult it is!

Hoping to get this one nailed by the end of the year.

in both directions. Perhaps it’s time I started working with 5 balls? After all, I’m never going to learn the 5 ball cascade if I only ever juggle with 3 balls!

I got a new set of suede thuds today, as my old ones were getting a bit baggy. I’ve been working pretty hard on my 3 ball shower patterns recently, as my juggling book says it’s very helpful to perfect these before moving on to 5 ball cascade. But I still haven’t actually started working with 5 balls yet.

Now the weather’s improving I can practice in my garden. It’s great the sense of freedom you get when you’re not restricted by a low ceiling.

Been working on my 3 ball tricks for ages. Getting pretty cool! Can do a bit of 4 balls, but it’s a bit of a cheat really. Better with an odd number. Everyone says 5 balls is a step function from 3. I reckon I could lick it no probs. But I want to carry on with 3 for now. I’ll start working on my 5 ball cascade next year. I reckon I can get it down in 3 months.

Only problem is, my ceiling is too low. I need to be outside really. Perhaps I’ll have to wait till the spring/summer. Or move house.