How to Juggle: Scarves & Plastic Grocery Bags!
Step 1: The Drop.
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Pick up your scarves and hold them for a moment. Look at them fondly then yell “hup!” and throw them all
up in the air and let them fall to the ground without trying to catch any of them. Point at them and laugh your
most raucous laugh. They are not in charge, you are! Pick up the scarves and repeat the process stwo more
times. You will be doing this often so it is best to get used to it now.
Step 2: The Throw.
After your last drop, pick up one scarf and hold it
between your thumb and index finger (like a pinch)! It is
best to pinch it somewhere in the middle. Lift your arm
as high as you can across your body, and toss the scarf
with the palm of your hand facing outwards (like you are
waving goodbye to someone)! Reach high up with your
other hand and catch the scarf as you bring your hand
down (this is called clawing). Now repeat in the other direction. Be careful not to throw the scarf forward,
your throw should go side to side. Repeat this toss several times until your throws are consistent and don’t
require a lot of picking scarves up from the floor. It will take 30 seconds for you to get bored- so do it for 60.
Step 3: The Switcharoo! (aka, Throw, Throw, Catch, Catch)
A: Now that you’ve mastered the throw, it’s time to pick up the second scarf. Hold one scarf in each hand. The
object of this VERY IMPORTANT step is to get the scarves to switch hands without getting tangled up with each
other on their way to their new hand.
B: Using the toss you just mastered, throw the first scarf up the X towards the other side and just as it reaches
its peak (as high as it is going to go) throw the second scarf so the first one has an empty hand to land in. Then
catch the second scarf. Take a deep breath and do it again using the same color scarf to start so both hands
have a chance to go first.
C: Practice the Switcharoo until you can do it 15-20 times in a row without dropping, and then you’re ready for
the next step!
TIPS FOR PROPER FORM:
*NO DUMPING! In other words, don’t pass the second scarf across from one hand to the other in front of your
belly. Both scarves should be tossed nice and high.
*Sometimes starting with your less dominant hand will help stop dumping because it stops your brain from
panicking as quickly.
*Say “Throw, Throw, Catch, Catch” as you make each throw and catch. Saying it, hearing it, and doing it simultaneously engages multiple senses and helps the brain step up and make the body do what you want it to do!
Plus, it engages yet another part of your brain which speeds up the process of learning just a bit more! Saying
“criss cross apple sauce” works too, and reminds you that the balls should be switching hands. Or say “I Am
Awe-Some”. Or “Eggs Fly Right By”. Or make up your own. The point is using sound helps you learn faster!
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How to Juggle: Scarves & Plastic Grocery Bags!
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Step 4: Juggling! (Cascade Pattern)
+ Now that you’ve mastered The Throw, and The Switcharoo (and of course, The Drop) you’re ready for the
final step in learning to juggle: JUGGLING! And all that requires is repeating the switcharoo, which you’ve
already mastered. Start with two scarves in one hand and one in the other hand. You will need to experiment
to find a good way to hold the two scarves in one hand separately to be able to make a good clean first throw.
The hand with two scarves always goes first!
+ Throw the first scarf up the X path you are familiar with and
just as in the switcharoo throw the second scarf as the first
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reaches its peak.
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+ Throw the third scarf so that your hand is empty to catch the
vsecond throw and then keep repeating the pattern by alternating
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throws between hands- it’s a loop!
More Scarf Juggling Tricks
Reverse Cascade: Once you’ve mastered the Cascade try making throws to the outside that fly over the top of
the other throws.
Columns: Throw one scarf straight up in line with the centre of your body, and then when this scarf reaches its
peak, throw the other two scarves (one from each hand) up on either side of the middle scarf. Catch the
middle scarf, toss it again, catch the outer scarves and toss them, and keep going! Try two in one hand!
Under the Leg: Start your routine by throwing a scarf under your leg. Make sure you can throw it so that it still
goes to a decent height and you can continue your pattern. Remember that you can throw with your left hand
under each leg, and also with your right hand under each leg, thus giving you 4 different moves! Now try doing
these moves while juggling a cascade pattern!
Kick Up: Start your routine with one scarf balanced on your foot, and then kick it up into the juggling pattern.
Alternatively, at some point in your routine, let the scarf fall onto the foot and you can pause and accept some
applause before kicking it back into the pattern!
Blow Up: As the scarf falls towards your hand, blow as much air in its direction. You can blow the scarf out in
front of you, or even back up in the air!
Head Wipe: Show how tiring this scarf juggling is, by throwing a scarf high, then taking time to mop your
sweaty forehead with another scarf in your hand!
Genius: Whatever tricks you can make up on your own! What if you had a partner?
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The Two-Headed Juggler
A great way to practice simple juggling
patterns and share the fun with a friend!
Take turns on both sides!
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Copyright © 2013 CircusMoves, All Rights Reserved