Learning To Juggle As A Kid - Is It Possible?

As a few of you might be aware - I have "signs" in Atlanta that promote juggling for 13 year olds to 83 year olds. Yes...I did choose 83 in a sense to be "cute" - however, I did not choose 13 arbitrarily - as based on my experience - those under the age are much less likely to learn juggling in one lesson. That said, I HAVE had success (learning in one session) with both 12 year olds and 11 year olds.

I bring this up because in the last year I've had a number of parents contact me asking about teaching their child to juggle. Yes...there are children under 10 on YouTube who can juggle. Yes. But as we all know..the exception is not the rule...and because of that, it is indeed unlikely most children can learn very early in life. Again, of course, there are exceptions.

So, what happens you ask when I do accept a lesson where the primary goal is to have the children learn to juggle? The answer is a variety of things....but before that...let me talk a moment about the times I have tried to teach young kids to juggle spontaneously. You see, my family had one of those "scarecrows" in downtown Woodstock for a couple of the first years they did that October event. And, during the month I would personally go up to our scarecrow (all scarecrows have "business" signs who are sponsoring the scarecrow) and stand next to it and offer FREE on the spot juggling lessons. I have also done the same in Piedmont Park on a couple occasions (actually my approach was different there - I randomly offered to teach folks (mainly adults) to learn to JUGGLE IN 3  MINUTES.) I also was hired one time by a BOY Scout Troop and while everyone had fun throwing the balls around and a few dads picked up the skill... they were simply too young to learn in a large group.

What happened in those experiments in learning to juggle for FREE was that "spontaneous" learning was rare and largely confined to young adults - but that it was possible. I was never able to get a child under 13 to learn to spontaneously juggle - so, prior desire is a near requirement.

Now..back to the kids and learning to juggle. As mentioned it's really a matter of desire in learning to juggle for any age - so, first, the idea of wanting to learn to juggle almost MUST come from the child. IF that happens and the child is involved in a "hand-eye" sport (as opposed to soccer or dancing for example) that also is a strong plus. Normally if your child was 9 or 10 - and had those skills/desire - I would be willing to accept the in person lesson. Normal kids 8 and below generally have limited physical abilities and lack of attention spans that are needed to learn to juggle in one lesson. Since I've never had a parent pursue multiple lessons for a young kid... I can't say if it may be picked up with one lesson, practice at home and then a return for more lessons. If the desire was there...I can see a kid being able to do what you see on YouTube for young kids.

Over the age of 11 and teens ARE THE EASIEST TO TEACH OF ALL AGE GROUPS. As a parent, you REALLY should consider having your kid learn this solo person sport (for all the reasons you see on this page, such as growing brain tissue and focus and eye hand coordination). That said... even 11 to 17 year olds can be iffy too if the desire is not there, or if the child does NO sports whatsoever.

Finally, what IS learning to juggle - I define juggling as three balls thrown and three balls caught. So, if your child is under 13 (really 11) - while it may seem simple - doing that is probably beyond what your child will learn IN ONE LESSON. What they WILL learn is all the basic ideas of juggling. All the basic arm moves. All the catching moves. All the throwing moves. And...the chance to put it together on their own with due diligence, or additional lessons. 

Lastly, I stress to all learners of all ages - that there are FOUR distinct levels of being able to juggle. 3 throws and catches, 4 throws and catches, 8 throws and catches and about 30 throws and catches. Of ALL the paying adults (self defining as to having the desire to learn) who I've taught over the last few years in Woodstock, only ONE did not learn/perform he basics of three throws and catches, a few only got to 3.... most got to 4....many got to 8, and a very few got to 30 in one lesson. 

In the sidebar is a picture of the first FAMILY that I taught to juggle - the boy was 12 and the girl was 15 - all four family members were jugglers with some level of competence by the end. Is your family next?

UPDATE

Very recently I was able to teach a sports oriented 10 year old to learn the first step of juggling - getting three throws and three catches (I think he may have done 4 or 5 catches once or twice also). So...that means we are indeed exploring the lower reaches of who can learn juggling...is his 8 year old brother next...he got close in lesson one.

NEW Juggling Classes For 2013 - Learn 3 Ball Juggling For As Little As 10 Dollars!

My thanks to all of those who are sharing the word about the benefits of learning to juggle; - could juggling be one `solution' in a seemingly `solution-less' society? An activity that promotes BOTH physical toning and also definitely a mental toning? An activity that can be done inside or outside - an exercise in the fresh air (where others watching you will be sure to ask - how did you learn to do that?).

And, in 2013 - the `price' of learning to juggle has now been nearly eliminated. Here's how. I am now offering on a SIGN UP FIRST basis - the chance to be part of a group lesson for only 10 DOLLARS. 

Personalized instruction (the best method for how to learn how to juggle) at an affordable price. ANYONE can use this method, including families - yes, a family of five could learn for as little as 50 dollars. Or FIVE friends could learn for as little as 50 dollars. You get the picture - you can be a part of a group of five to eight people and learn to juggle for 10 dollars total cost to YOU. (Details of offer in sidebar.)

Of course, I will continue to offer pre-planned, on demand - you set the time (we actually work it out) lessons to individuals and to smaller groups of people - both in Woodstock OR at a location of YOUR CHOICE (details on pricing in sidebar to the left). Personal lessons for folks who simply can't wait to learn to juggle, or, who would rather not learn in front of a group of strangers.

Finally, I've decided to market the `learning of Juggling' - to `singles' - who think that `learning to juggle' would be a FUN (blind first `date') way to meet someone of the opposite sex. I describe the details of this too in the sidebar - and perhaps you will find this appealing.
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And, yes, I now have a Juggling Book on Kindle - using a lot of the same techniques that I use in person - and you too can learn at home in as little as an hour; just as I teach the basics within an hour. You can find my Kindle book on the sidebar too.
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ONCE YOU LEARN THE BASICS - I'M OFTEN ASKED WHAT KIND OF BALLS DO I SUGGEST - LACROSSE BALLS!


lacrosse balls offer normal to large hands the best hand feel and are great for bounce juggling

Amazing Contact Juggling

Sometimes, it's not about throwing the balls:
link - http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=g9PlWQNO0i0

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Why not learn the basics this year yourself - there is still time!

1,000,000 Hit Juggling Video

Here's a real cute story of a UK guy learning to juggle. It is indeed possible to learn just by watching videos or even reading about juggling and then practicing. That said, personal instruction can bring about a `3 ball cascade' in very little time for some people.  If you live in the Atlanta area - I can teach you to juggle.

Anyway, enjoy the video.