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takatuka & friends
Juggling with one ball
During our exchange program in Mexico we stayed at Estudio Busqueda de Pantomima Teatro in Valenciana, Guanajuato. One of the students of the school, Sergio Langarica, was teaching us how to juggle. Let us share the basic steps with you.
Position
The first and most important thing is to stand with both feet firmly on the ground, sols of the feet spread widely to get the best grip. Both arms should be aligned with your upper body, touching but not pressing into your sides. The angle between the upper and lower arms should be 90°. While juggling, your gaze should be centered forward so that all the balls are in your visual field. The rhythm is more important than speed, so your movements should not be too fast. And remember to breathe.
How to throw and catch one ball correctly
Hold one hand in front of you with your palm facing up. Cradle a ball loosely in your hand, and lower the hand down by your side before throwing. Throw using the elbow, not the wrist or shoulder. Watch the ball as it reaches its peak in the air, picture where it will land, and then hold your hand under it.
How to catch the ball with the other hand
This time hold both hands in front of you with your palms facing up. Again, cradle a ball loosely in one hand, and lower the hand down by your side before throwing.The goal is to have the ball land in the other hand, so throw the ball up and a little bit across. Throw using the elbow, not the wrist or shoulder. Try to throw the ball about as high as the top of your head. Watch the ball as it reaches its peak in the air, picture where it will land, and then hold your other hand under it. Do not reach up to catch the ball, the ball will come down to you.
Clap your leg
Continue throwing the ball from one hand to the other, with a small adjustment. While the ball is in the air, clap your upper leg with the hand that's going to catch the ball. Example: After you throw the ball with your right hand, clap the left thigh with your left hand and catch the ball with the left hand. Then throw the ball from left to right, clapping the thigh and catching the ball with the right hand.
This way, you will get the sense of the rhythm before starting practicing with three balls.
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