Juggling

Unlike some other meeting topics this one is hard to fake. The person running the meeting should at least be able to juggle.

Materials Required

Meeting Outline

My preferred method for starting this topic is to ask who doesn't think they'll be able to juggle and then ask them why not. Chances are at least on person will say "Because I can't catch". I then ask them to hold their hand out, tell them to get ready and drop a juggling ball from a small distance into their hand. If they catch it (as they will 99 times out of 100) I tell them that they can catch well enough to juggle and that the trick is to get the throw right and to practice often enough that the pattern becomes second nature.

Next give everybody three pieces of material. Tell them to throw one piece of material into the air so that it is about level with their eyes and to catch it with their other hand. After they have mastered this far from difficult task, tell them to start off with one piece of material in each hand and to throw the one in their left hand in the air, followed by the one in their right hand. While both pieces of material are in the air they will need to catch the first piece with their right hand and then the second piece with their left hand. Demonstrate this or else it will make no sense to anyone.

Once people have mastered this starting with either hand, tell them to use three pieces of material starting with two pieces in the left hand and one in the right. Get them to start as they did before throwing the first piece from the left hand, the second piece from the right, catch the first in the right hand and then to throw the third piece from their left hand and catch the second piece with that. Once they have got the pattern worked out get them to continue on with this pattern for as long as possible. From this point on give balls to those who have the idea of the pattern.

Possible Problems

Make sure that the meeting room allows at least a little movement.

Other Options

Some people prefer to learn with the same method above but starting with balls straight away.

Needless to say that the more juggling equipment (clubs, rings, diablos etc.) you can bring along and teach people to use the better. Clubs may be a good option to give to somebody who has already learnt to juggle balls. Another option for somebody who already knows how to juggle is to start them practicing a few tricks (under the leg and behind the back are obvious examples if you don't know any).

Resources and References

There is not all that much research needed for a juggling meeting, but the following may help provide some colour to your depiction of jugglers in our period.