What about juggling other things?

Sure, you can throw other things. Since the same pattern is used, it is not twice as difficult, it is just a little more difficult.

Scarves are always interesting, especially on a windy day. Get really light diaphanous (rayon?) ones, three the same size. The pattern is similar to the 3 bag cascade, except you can't really throw a scarf too far, you have to pull it up and let it go. The thing that makes it work is that they float down slowly. You can do any of the previously learned patterns with scarves, they look really nice when done to music.

Rings are easier than clubs. You just need to give them a little spin and the gyroscopic action will keep them spinning straight. Wind is a problem if you are practicing outdoors, the ceiling is a problem if you are practicing indoors. since a ring is physically larger than a club, you need to throw them higher to prevent collisions. One trick I like to do with rings is to give one a hard spin and a low toss and then extend a ring held in the other hand horizontally so that the first ring spins in the hole of the second ring as it comes down.  Then give the horizontal ring a slight lift to put the first ring back into the air and resume the juggling pattern. This only lasts a second but looks impressive when done right.

Clubs follow the same pattern as throwing three bean bags with one minor difference; the flip. Just as you learned when starting with three bean bags, start with one club. Flip it about head high back and forth from hand to hand. Practice until you feel comfortable (or silly, whichever comes first). Then pick up a second club, flip the first and while it is in the air coming down towards your other hand, flip the second one and catch the first one. Practice this for a while. When you are comfortable with two, grab that third club, you know the rub, Bub.

After you have a solid three club pattern, you can start working in a double flip every now and then. Or work in a double flip every third toss, every other toss, or when you get smooth, every toss. For instance, if you have three different colored clubs, make the red one do a double each time you throw it.

Fire axes, chain saws, butcher knifes... are you kidding? Someone could get hurt. Remember what your mom said, "it is always fun until someone gets an eye poked out".

New Orleans Jugglers © 2003