How to Juggle Pom Poms
Juggling is one of those activities that has a steep learning curve. Difficult at the start, but once you persevere through the first few hours or days of practice you get the hang of it. It all becomes easy from there. The best way to start juggling is with three items of even size and weight, such as bean bags. Then it's on to the more difficult items like pom poms, which are a great prop for cheerleaders.
Instructions
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Hold one pom pom by the handle. Throw it in the air from one hand to the other. Keep your elbows close to your sides and hands just above waist height. Do not reach for the pom pom. Instead, wait for it to fall into your hand. The weight of the handle will make it land first in your hand. Practice this until you get comfortable with the motion and your throws are consistently peaking the pom pom at about eye level so that your eyes don't have to follow the pom pom.
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Juggle a second pom pom. Start by holding a pom pom in each hand. Throw one towards the other hand. When that pom pom reaches its peak, throw the pom pom held in the other hand towards the empty hand. Throw the second pom pom inside the arc of the first. Since pom poms are large, you have to allow a good distance between them so that they don't collide. Practice this until you get into the throw-throw, catch-catch rhythm. Once the exchanges are smooth, the timing and height will naturally come.
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Juggle three pom poms. Start by placing two in one hand and one in the other. With the hand holding two pom poms, throw one toward the other hand. As it peaks, throw the pom pom from the other hand. As the second pom pom peaks throw the remaining pom pom from the first hand. Continue this motion to juggle.
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Tips & Warnings
If you find yourself moving your hands forwards or backwards significantly to catch errant throws, try juggling in front of a wall. This will train you to keep your throws more accurate.
References
- Photo Credit Jen Siska/Lifesize/Getty Images
