Tips

Don't be lazy

If you're trying to learn a new trick, don't just learn the trick. Learn how to control the trick. If you can control that one, the next one will be easier, etc. Eventually, you will be able to learn any new idea in almost no time at all.

Other kinds of balls

I am a beginning CJer and I'm only 14, so I don't want to go out and by acrylics right away. They're too much for me to afford, so I just use the balls I use for toss juggling. At least, that's what I first learned on. They're sort of like bean bags, except they're round, and it helped me to learn what cradle worked best for me. Then I moved to a very large marble that I have (I accidently started practicing on the cement and now have a chip in it) and that is much smoother. I just recently found one of my softballs and I just started rolling it around in my hands. I now like that the best out of all because it has a great weight for me. A little large, but it works. My tip: If it's round, try CJ with it! :)

ALLWAYS SHOW OFF AT A RENISAINCE FESTIVAL!!!!!!!1

I TOOK IN MY ACRYLICS AND CJED IN FRONT OF PEOPLE AND OH MY GOD WHAT AN ATTENTION GRABER THAT IS. I dont even work there and I got tips ( Cash ).

Confidence Booster

If you've been doing this for a while and you need a little encouragement to do better, find some way to video tape yourself contact juggling. I did this. I was impressed. You realize that it looks much better from someone else's perspective. Mirrors just don't seem to work as well (and you drop the ball more often watching the mirror).

DOGS ARE YOUR ACRYLIC BALLS # 1 ENEMY

Practiced in the living room...droped it doing the prayer....dog saw it....you should know the rest.....(crunch crunch)

DONT PRACTICE WITH AN ACRYLIC OVER CONCRETE!!!

Never practice with an acrylic ball unless you know your moves, over rug, or over grass. I hav a friend who let his friend barrow his acrylic. HE PRACTICE WITH IT FOR 3 HOURS OVER CEMENT!!! Cracks Everywhere!

CJ Mastercard Comercial

Cotton Wheel - 12 dollars
Drill Adapter - 5 dollars
Can of Brasso polishing cream - 6 dollars
Bottle of Novus polishing liquid - 5 dollars

Having you balls shine like new - Priceless

Let your Mind explore

Every trick you learn has got at least fifteen different variations.Practise,get the trick down,and then let your mind explore the possibilities.And then feeeeeel the satisfaction!

Don't Stop Practicing!

Like I did for about 2 months or so.. geez I probably lost double that amount of time in skill.. and I have been doing this for a relatively short amount of time so 4 months of practice is a lot for me!

Hear your own breathing -- use earplugs

Ear plugs will let you listen to your own breathing, even heartbeat, to better synchronize your movements.

Never stop dreaming

Moves are created by dreaming of what is thought impossible, then learning to perform them anyway. If you haven't seen a move performed before, it is not proof that it cannot be done! Remember your dreams, practice each part of them, and someday, impress your fellow contact jugglers.

Watch OUT!

Make sure that when your Cjing to stay on carpets or something soft so if it goes flying it won't bash of anything hard. TRUST ME!!

Film Yourself

if you have a cam-corder laying around, USE IT!
youd be surprised on how much you can learn that way, also, you don't have to worry about messing up, and breaking he mirrior. :-)

Don't get discouraged!

This is very important. Do not let anyone discourage you. About a month ago, when i started CJing , i carried my little lacross ball with me everywhere, even to school. Since most everyone in my school is rude and ignorant, they called me names such as retard, and dumbass. I wasn't very good yet. Weeks later, they wouldn't stop asking me to do the tricks I learned!!

Mirror with your alternate hand.

Hold the ball on your body with your opposite hand. Then roll the ball around. Over time you will find the ball rolling on it's own with no mirror there. This is a great way to feel the paths and to help learn new paths without fear of a drop. Try Mirroring by using your arms as well instead of your hand. This will lead to some interesting movements.
And P.S. Any ball that is round can be used to CJ. If they are not round then they can be used too, but they make weird patterns. So pick up a ball near you soon.

Just 3 words Myachi Myachi Myachi

Sounds like an ad so I guess it is but the Original Handsack or Myachi has but one simple rule, NO PALM. So it is great for CJers to use to practice control on the back of the hand. Have fun with your friends too, makes a great indoor party game.

Practice Stalls with a Hackey-Sack

Use a slightly worn hackey-sack ( or footbag ) to practice your stalls. Just toss it from your hand and catch it wherever you want to practice stalling ( i.e. Outside Elbow Stalls - toss up catch on elbow ) the Hackey-Sack doesnt roll very good you usually get a nice "plop" right onto your stall point.

Note: this has only worked for me with Hackey-Sacks containing the small beads.

Buy a large mirror!

Isolations and palm spinning will def benefit from practicing in front of a mirror - it's a good way to stop bad habits forming. It is also good becuase it gets you out of the habit of looking down at your hands.

100 % Silk, accept no substitutes!

Natural fiber materials make the best types of contact juggling clothing, for practice wear or performing costumes.

One of my favorite pieces of clothing to wear, when CJing, is my 100% pure Silk, long-sleeve undershirt. The Silk surface of the shirt produces perfect control over an acryllic ball, enabling me roll and stall the ball with great precision. Finally a Silk undershirt is both warm in cold weather, when practicing outdoors, and dries quickly when hand washed.

100% Silk, accept no substitutes!

Change up weights: for beginners...for everyone

I've found the it's best to start out with a heavy ball to get the movement and then to change to a light ball for speed. When you go back to a heavier ball your movements will be much smoother.

Contact Juggling

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