How to Do a Thumb Hold for Juggling

Contact juggling is a form of juggling that uses an acrylic or other weighted contact juggling ball and involves the juggler rolling the ball over the surface of the body instead of tossing the ball as in conventional juggling. Contact juggling is very impressive as an illusion, where the ball appears to be floating in space. One technique that enhances this illusion is the thumb hold.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Acrylic ball or contact juggling practice ball

1. Hold your hand flat with the palm up. Place the contact juggling ball in the palm of your hand. Keep your hand flat and level so that only the ridge of your hand is visible to your audience.

2. Bring your thumb up behind the ball and carefully grasp the ball using just your thumb. Maintain tension in your thumb to grasp the ball without allowing the rest of your hand to change position at all.

3. Keep your thumb behind the ball rather than wrapped around the ball. Make sure the tip of your thumb is not visible above the ball.

4. Flip your hand over as if you are going to roll the ball over the tip of your fingers, but instead keep it in place with your thumb so that it appears to float beneath your hand.

5. Hold the position only for a brief moment before moving on to your next position for the maximum affect. Holding the position too long stretches your audience's belief in the illusion, but hold it long enough for people to notice.

Tips & Warnings

• This trick can even work with a clear ball if you do it quickly. While you can technically see through a totally clear ball, the curve of the ball will usually distort the image of your thumb behind it enough to make it not noticeable.