How to Switch Patterns in Juggling

A good trick for beginners to four-ball juggling is to simply switch patterns. This is a good bedrock trick because as you progress there will be times when a juggler must work with asynchronous patterns, with synchronous patterns and occasionally switch between the two. The first step is to understand the difference and how to transition.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Four juggling balls

1. Begin with a synchronous four ball pattern. Start with two balls in each hand. Throw one from your right and left straight up at the same time. When the time comes to clear your hand, throw the other balls straight up creating dueling fountains in each hand.

2. Time your throws in the synchronous pattern up so that you are catching and throwing balls with both hands at the exact same time. Your right and left side mirror each other when this trick is performed correctly.

3. Stop the synchronous pattern to begin an asynchronous one. Here, the end result will be the same, you will have two fountains going at once. One two-ball fountain in your right hand and one in your left. However, the timing is reversed.

4. Catch one ball in your right hand just as you are releasing a ball with your left. Visually, this will have a back-and-forth image between both hands and gives the impression you are working much harder than your really are.

5. Practice switching from synchronous to asynchronous patterns without dropping or slowing down. It is important to shift gears without difficulty for other tricks.

Tips & Warnings

• The key to performing this trick well is to know when to slow down and speed up while switching between patterns.