Adding a juggling routine to your Halloween festivities can add a carnival atmosphere for your visitors.

 

Any jugglers suggest that you start with three tennis balls. They are the right size for most peoples hands and easy to find. You may want to weight the balls by making a small slit in each ball with a
razor blade (if you're a child, ask a parent for help!) and slipping in a couple of dozen pennies into each ball.It's a good idea to get your "weak hand" (left hand if you're a Righty, right hand for you Southpaws).

THROWING AND CATCHING JUST ONE BALL BEFORE PROCEEDING- Practice throwing one ball from hand to hand, in a gentle arc using the exact same throw with each hand. Throw up and over to the opposite hand, and back again, at a height that's comfortable. Do this until your "weak hand" throws as good as the other.  

 

COORDINATION TRAINING - Start with just two balls, one in each hand. Throw the first ball up and over to the opposite hand. When the first ball is at it's peak (apogee), throw the second ball just inside
where the first ball is coming down. Remember to use the exact same throw with each ball. Do this starting with each hand, throw-throw-catch-catch, until you can do it well starting with both right
and left hands. If this seems confusing, that's because it is! Maybe this will help: Remember, make two throws and two catches and stop. Then do it again starting with the other hand. Learn how to do
this well starting with either hand before proceeding.

 

ADD THE THIRD BALL -  Put two balls in your "good" hand, one in the other. Throw one ball from your good hand, and make the second throw just as described above. Now, when the second ball is at it's peak, throw the third ball just inside where the second ball is coming down.

KEEP IT GOING -  When each ball is at it's peak, throw another ball up just inside where the ball is descending. Each hand does the same thing, one after the other, throw-catch, throw-catch, throw-catch, etc. This is the step that takes the most concentration. The most important thing is to throw the balls consistently. Dropping the balls a lot is normal, so don't think you're no good because you keep dropping them. Practice over a bed so you don't have to spend time and energy chasing dropped balls. Some people practice close to a wall so the balls don't get away.

 

PRACTICE - PRACTICE - PRACTICE - Although some people can learn to juggle very quickly, most of us will have to take our time, practicing every day for a few weeks. But the big payoff is when you suddenly realize that not only are you juggling, but doing it well!
Now you're ready to work with the small, decorative pumpkins or plastic ones...