Workshop 2

(Percieving the Pass)

What it looks like:

In workshop 1, the “Pass was Paramount.” While this paradigm is still true, in workshop #2 we concern ourselves with the “Perception of the Pass.” In that, two or more people must by in synch, coordinating both their passes and their minds, thereby “perceiving the pass”. This workshop will not only develop individual skills, but also hone team building, chemistry, and bonding where two minds work as one.

To be ready for passing, the juggler must be able to juggle every fourth throw (every second right) against the wall while maintaining the rhythmic 3-ball cascade.  In other words, every fourth throw must be harder and higher than the other throws that stay lower and consistent in the normal pattern. If there, we are ready for Partner Passing.

Start with the partner holding one ball and restarting the juggler’s pattern. Partners can alternate. Some intermediate exercises. Partners beside each other with just 3 balls. Then, they face each other. Then, an example of the paradox of juggling. We do a 3-ball “take-away” where the 3 ball is given away, but looks like it is taken! We then continue with the partner having 2 balls and start to juggle with a pass into his static 2 held balls. We culminate with each partner starting with 3 balls (6 balls between two people), and now learning to keep one partner continuing to juggle while the other picks up the dropped ball and either gets back in on rhythm or communicates otherwise. The beautiful key is that the priority (focus) must be on continuous feeding of passes to the one who continues to juggle, while the dropped balls are managed within the partner's coordinated, synchronous rhythm. Again, another paradox in juggling is where the clumsiest person has the most skill.

Partner Passing helps focus on the 3 “R’s:” Right thing, Right reason, Right timing. Practice passing with a partner helps players “open up,” perceive, and prepare for team mentality, synchronicity, and bonding. The goal of partner passing is to help each partner be successful through mutual understanding, timing, and results. Your partner’s success leads to your success. There is a sense of camaraderie encapsulated by the expression, “let me help you be better.”

The goal of partner passing is to help the other be successful through synchronicity, coordination, and understanding.

Where:

This activity can be done anywhere your group can stand together, preferably in a circle, an arm’s length apart.

Why:

This experience will be a lifetime memory that one can reflect on and continue to use to energize or engage their mind as an active form of mental respite or preparedness. Make this experience a chance to do something uniquely new and refreshing, as it can be every time you juggle. These benefits of juggling can then be applied to any activity you are engaged in!

Yours truly, “Sir Drop-a-lot”, Aladar Reusz