Hi
welcome to the Edge.
with the Box I start by zipping the club across, I find it works easier on doubles rather than singles as that gives it more time (at one point I thought it might look interesting on flats but have given trying to learn that).
www.libraryofjuggling.com/Tricks/3balltricks/Box.html
can you juggle a shower pattern from both the right and the left? An interesting practise might be switching from right hand shower to left hand shower.
when I say doubles I mean the non-zip throws.
Some people like to learn 441 first as it is slightly easier, but I learnt box first.
pumpkineater23 - - Parent #
Hello there.
You've learned Mills mess - well done, it's a great feeling when it's running.
Box - Practice with two balls first. Vertical balls staying in the same column so you catch with minimum hand movement. Horizontal ball thrown with force to keep as level as possible (also to reduce hand movement to a minimum).
Then with three balls:
Hold ball 1 and ball 2 in right hand, ball 3 in left hand.
Throw ball 1 up.
When it reaches the top throw ball 2 over to the left while at the same time throwing ball 3 up. Then stop.
Practice this for a while.
Then when ball 3 reaches the top throw ball 2 back to the right.
I do hope that is helpful and welcome to the Edge!
Hello Iona, glad you could make it & congratulations on getting Mills Mess. Feels good doesn't it!
With regards to the box, when you say, "first steps" &, "the final ball" it makes me wonder if you might be talking about a different pattern than hat is commonly known as the box because to my mind there are only 2 steps:
Unless you by first steps you mean transitioning from a cascade into the box?
The box is a square pattern so I think it is easier to learn on its own & not from a cascade which has lots of curves to it.
First start with one ball. In the box the horizontal ball is thrown not passed from hand to hand. Stand with both hands at waist height, hip width apart, your finger tips should point forwards & with your palms facing each other. Hold your empty hand open. Throw the ball using your wrist only directly into your other hand. Try to keep your forearms as still as possible. The ball should travel horizontally without noticeably rising or falling. The force of the ball hitting your open palm will cause the fingers to snap shut around the ball so all you've got to do is hold on to it.
Try doing this exercise with your eyes closed. With practice you should be able to do this by feel, not by sight.
Next, take with two balls, one in each hand. Start by throwing one ball up, wait until it peaks then throw the other ball straight up then just keep repeating this on both sides. Work on the timing so that the left ball peaks at exactly the same time as the right hand catches & vice versa. This will require an even rhythm & throwing to equal heights on both sides.
Once you've mastered that, take 2 balls in one hand & 1 in the other. Now it is time to make 3 things happen at the same time. Throw one ball up from the hand holding two, wait for it to peak then throw up from the other hand as normal & make the horizontal throw at the same time. THEN STOP with two balls in the opposite hand that you started with. Stopping is an important point. A lot of beginners make the mistake of panicing & throwing the horizontal ball straight back again immediately. If you start doing this it is a hard habit to break. The box is actually slower than most people think. Practice this on both sides alternately to get used to making two perpendicular throws at the same time.
Once you are happy with that just run the pattern. All you need to do is make sure you don't panic after the horizontal throw. Take your time, wait until the vertical ball peaks, then throw the next pair. If you are making high vertical throws the horizontal ball will be arriving in the opposite hand before the vertical ball reaches its peak so you will hear a taptap, taptap, taptap rhythm to the pattern.
As you gain confidence though I think the pattern works better when you can reduce the height of the vertical throws so that the time to make the horizontal throw & the time it takes for the vertical throws to reach their peak is the same so you get down to a tap, tap, tap rhythm.
Good luck & let us know how you get on!
Will you be going to any of the upcoming UK events?
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