Partner Passing Workshop
Welcome, My name is Aladar Reusz,
also know during this workshop as,
“Sir Drop-A-Lot.” Still finding new ways to drop the ball.
This workshop is called, “Perceive the Pass.”
We call it “Perceive the Pass” because the juggler must of course be aware of a pass coming from their partner. This concept definitely still comes after the “Pass is Paramount.” When the Pass is solid, it allows for perception of the pass. The mind quiets and allows for focus of perception. Now we need “good” passes so we can perceive passes from a partner. The juggler must perceive their own pass as well as the rhythm and pass from a partner.
First Step: Review where we left of from workshop 1: Toss every 4th throw significantly higher than the regular pattern.
Throw every 4th ball against the wall continuing with a regular period. Notice that every 4th throw is always the same hand. Even numbers mean the pattern stays with same hand. Odd number throws mean the ball switches hands. The 4th throw can also be thought of as every 2nd throw out of the same hand. You can slow the throw pattern down by increasing interval, passing on 6th or 8th throw.
Next Step: Partners with 3 balls only. Partner passes to person with empty hands. Person passes the ball back to the “Juggler.” “Notice, “The Pass is still Paramount!”
The juggler throws the ball away on any toss they want, when they are ready. There is the dwell time between partners starting a new pass to partner’s routine. This hesitation teaches relaxation, focus, and most importantly perception of the incoming pass. A fun test and game is to give the juggler some “Fake” passes. It is fun to watch the juggler’s focus and usually the eyes and follow the path passers hand.
Next Step: Juggler tries to toss the ball to the partner on every 4th throw.
Start with 6th throw if 4 is to quick. Know that the throw comes from the right hand. Throwing to the partner from the right hand is the agreed upon formula. New patterns can be designed once partner passing is accomplished.
Next Step: Add another ball to shorten time between feeding new ball into juggler’s routine.
This step can challenge the receiving of the partners ball thrown into the routine. The partner can play with good and bad feeds. Play with a variety of passing the new ball into the juggler’s routine.
Next Step: Pass the 3 balls between the two Partners.
Continue with the previous routine and when ready pass all 3 balls one at a time to your partner. Key point! Hesitate, dwell, and focus on giving the best 3rd ball pass to start the juggler routine pattern.
Next Step: Add another ball to the routine. One person has 3 balls and the other has 2 balls.
Cycle through the pattern trying to get to the point where you are passing between each partner on a regular pattern of 4 tosses or maybe 6. 8 might be too big a cycle where mistakes happen in your own cycle not making the extra self tosses any better or easier to pass.
Next step: 3 balls each(6 balls) We will start with a “Quick” start.
Signal to your partner you are ready by putting both hands up palms facing shoulders, holding balls. Slowly drop both hands in synchronicity with your partner, preparing to pass your first ball with your right hand to your partner. Then start juggling and passing out of the agreed hand and agreed count. This partner passing will build synchronicity as you notice how the partner is juggling and having to adjust to their rhythm. The “Quick” start pattern is: Pass, 1,2,3, Pass, 1,2,3, Pass… Passing on the 4th right hand.
Next step: Dealing with Dropped balls. remember that the pass is paramount. Focus on the pass because that is the priority.
One of my favorite reactions is the reaction from the dropped ball and the sense of panic the initially happens to people new to passing. What needs to happen is that the juggler needs to ignore the dropped ball and focus on the upcoming pass which will be coming up quickly. Initially, when a dropped ball occurs it needs to be communicated that no pass will be coming once the other juggler has 3 balls and can continue to juggle. At this point, the person with the dropped ball can search and pick up the dropped ball. The person with the dropped ball signals they are ready to get back into the pattern and waits for a pass from the juggling partner. So there will be a bit of a stagger, no different than was practiced when feeding in earlier stages, and the partners try to catch up with adjusting their own cyclic pattern.
Optional Play: “Take-aways” which could also be called paradoxically, “give aways.”
Initially, facing your partner juggling 3 balls that you will “take-away.” Looking for the crossing pattern of the cascade it is important the juggling partner makes this pattern obvious by throwing the balls widely across the body. The “stealer,” taker, takes one from one side, and then takes the second from the other side and then holds both hands apart. Holding both hands apart is important. The paradox of taking is that the 3rd ball is given! With the hand apart the juggler then throws the 3rd ball between the waiting 2 hands of the “stealer” taker.
“Stealing” or taking from the side takes a slight adjustment and a little more concentration. Standing beside the juggler, the first ball that is caught is the ball thrown from the side closest to the “stealer” taker away to the shoulder farthest away from the “stealer” taker forcing the “stealing” arm to reach across and in front of the juggler. This action forces the “stealer” taker to catch the second ball by stepping in front of the juggler. This stepping in front is what makes it look like “stealing.” Yet again, paradoxically, the third ball is tossed from behind, underneath the arm, and in between the hands of the “stealer” taker. So it is important that the “stealer” taker keep their arms out wide so the juggler can give that 3rd ball away and in between the hands of the partner. At first, the 3rd ball can be thrown straight up so the partner can start the new pattern with either hand. Later, the 3rd ball can be thrown to the opposite shoulder so the partner can continue with same pattern of alternating hands.
Optional Play: Contact, distraction, Juggling.
While juggling try and walk, bump, and distract other jugglers all while juggling.
Try to bump or slightly distract others while juggling
Go around and see how confident the jugglers have become.