Having trouble controlling the balls while juggling...?

Question

So, I've been trying to teach myself how to juggle. I practice in my spare time, and I've been doing this for the last couple weeks. I've improved significantly- I can get all 3 balls in the air, and keep them going in a rhythm for a short period of time. My problem is, I have difficulty getting a feel for the right height and motion of the balls. I'm still not sure how high I should throw them, or how I should throw them. I still have a tendency to throw the balls in front of me, I can't keep them close to my body, and when I try, they get to close and I can't catch them. I also end up throwing more than one ball in the air at a time in my haste, and they end up colliding with one another. What is the technique here?

Answer 1

Two suggestions -- first, try to imagine you're standing at the edge of a cliff.  If you step forward, you'll fall off.  That might help you not toss the balls in front of you.

Second:  Go back to two balls (after all, juggling three balls is really the same mechanics as "juggling" two balls).  Spend a little more time working out the feel for a consistent toss.  

Toss from one hand to the other, then toss the second ball just before the first ball reaches the receiving hand.  Try to make both tosses the same height and same plane.  I feel a lot of mess-ups come when you start rushing the second toss. Try to keep both hands at the same level -- sometimes you'll find your receiving hand starting to creep upwards to "meet" the ball.  Try not to let that happen.

Keep at it till the height of both tosses are consistent and the balls stay close to your body.  Start the toss from one hand for a while, then start the toss from the other hand -- work 'em until they're both consistent.  

Finally, add the third ball back in.  Thing's will probably go to h**l for a little while, but once your "two ball" muscle memory kicks back in, your tosses should be more consistent.

If you really want to get it down good, once you get your tosses consistent, start walking slowly around while juggling three balls.  You'll have to compensate by tossing a little in front of you while walking forwards and tossing a little "behind the plane" while walking backwards!  If you can get to the point where you're successful doing this, then juggling three balls while standing still will be a breeze!

Answer 2

All of what freetaro... said is good advice, I would add that you should make sure that you are attempting the cascade pattern:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cascade_(ju...

And not the more difficult shower pattern:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shower_(jug...