If you’re a runner, one of the primary reasons you don’t joggle is probably because you don’t know how to juggle. Even if you 
don’t want to be a joggler (unbelievable as that may sound!) there are still many benefits of juggling. So, here is a basic run down of how to juggle.
Step 1 – Get some juggling balls
I use Gballz and they are an excellent choice for juggling balls. However, you can get a set of hacky sacks, bean bags, oranges or tennis balls. Bean bags are best because when you drop they aren’t as difficult to pick up.
Step 2 – Start with one ball
The key to juggling is throwing the balls in the right pattern. The standard pattern that I use while joggling is the Cascade pattern. This looks like an infinity sign or a sideways 8. You start with one ball in your hand and you throw it to your other hand. You need to use a scooping motion while you throw so the ball follows the shape of half the figure 8. This first video by the Wildcat Jugglers shows exactly what you should do.
Practice this motion until you can successfully do it at least 20 times without a drop.
Step 3 – Next try throwing 2 balls
When you move on to two balls, you start with one ball in each hand. You throw the first ball in the scooping motion from step 2. When it reaches the top of it’s motion, you throw the second ball underneath. You next catch the first ball, then catch the second. The timing is throw, throw, catch, catch. See the second juggling video by the Wildcat Jugglers for an illustration of the throws.
Practice this step until you can successfully make 30 catches.
Step 4 – Add a third ball and start juggling
The next step is to add a third juggling ball. Start with two balls in one hand and one ball in the other. Your first throw is made from the hand that holds two balls. When the ball gets to the top of its throw, you throw the ball in your next hand underneath the first thrown ball. When that ball hits the top of its peak, you throw the next ball. You continue these alternating throws. Congratulations!! You’re juggling. See the third video in the Wildcat Jugglers video tutorial.
Practice this until you are good enough to get 100 throws without dropping.
Troubleshooting
The biggest problem you’re likely to face is that you throw the balls forward. One way that I’ve found to help prevent this is to juggle in front of a wall. If you throw forward too much, the balls will hit the wall and bounce back into the pattern. Once you hit your hands on the wall a few times, you’ll stop doing it.
The key to juggling is to have consistent throws. You want to make sure that each throw is the same height. Practicing in a door way or a low-ceiling room can help with your throw height consistency.
Juggling three balls is not difficult and with practice, almost anyone can learn to do it within 2 weeks. If you want to pick up the skill and the benefits that go along with it, just pick up some juggling balls and start juggling. It’s fun and highly satisfying when you’re able to do it.
Try it. I’m sure you’ll like it.
Got any questions about how to juggle or some tips to help other people? Leave a comment below.
For more methods see these 25 free resources for learning to juggle.
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
In my experience, throwing forward is normally caused by either throwing with the shoulder (rather than the elbow) or releasing the ball too soon. If you’re tending to throw forward, try to keep your elbows by your side with no rotation at the shoulder, and don’t release a ball until your forarm is parallel to the ground. Once you’ve got the pattern under control you can and will ignore both these rules, but they’re useful to think about when first learning.
Good tip, Greg.