How to Juggle the Butterfly

When learning to contact juggle, the butterfly is one of the first moves to practice. It is the foundation for further movements. The butterfly is the movement that creates the illusion that the juggling ball is moving from the top to the bottom of the juggler's hand and back again. Add variations once you have mastered this basic step in contact juggling.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Hold the ball in the two or three finger cradle. This is the hold in which the ball rests on the back of your hand and is cradled by your fingers. Your middle finger slightly dips down to keep the ball steady. Your arm is parallel with the ground.

2. Create the illusion the ball is rolling from the back of your hand, over the fingers and to your palm. In an upwards motion, move your hand from palm down to palm up. This allows the ball to move from the tip of your fingers to the palm of your hand. Repeat this movement back and forth to create the butterfly.

3. Move the ball with a bit of a toss to it at first. This will help you move the ball in the correct direction. As you become comfortable, keep the ball lower and move it so that it never actually stops touching your hand. The ball will appear suspended in the air.

4. Repeat the same process with your other hand. Continue practicing until you're able to perform the butterfly with both hands in order to move to the next level in contact juggling.

Tips & Warnings

• Before working on learning the butterfly, make sure that you have your two and three finger cradle holds refined. This will make the butterfly easier to master.
• Practice juggling the butterfly. You'll have better control of the ball the more you practice.