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Scarves are a far more slower
way to learn some patterns, such as the basic
cascade. Because the scarves float gently in
the air, you have more time to put your hands
in the right place to catch them. First trick
to learn is the 3 scarf cascade, which you will
see written out move by move below: |

1 Scarf: Hold the scarf in the
centre. 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). You are now ready to repeat
the above moves and throw back to the first hand!
Practice this for a while until it seems natural
and graceful before moving on to two scarfs. Try
to make each throw to the same height (peak).
2 scarf exchange: Hold a scarf
in each hand. Throw a scarf from your favoured hand.
When it reaches its peak (as high as it is going
to go), then throw the second scarf. The throws
and catches should follow a nice rhythm (throw,
throw, catch, catch). Do not throw or catch both
scarfs at the same time! Practicing the "exchange"
to some music may help you to space out the throws
so they all happen in time with the music. Remember
to practice starting from your weaker hand also!
3 scarf cascade: The first thing
to learn is how to hold your 3 scarfs. In the hand
that contains two scarfs, hold one at your fingertips.
This will be the first scarf to throw. When your
first throw reaches its peak, throw the next (second)
scarf from your other hand. When this scarf reaches
its peak, then throw your next scarf which is in
the hand that you started with. You will soon see
a pattern emerging which is like a figure of eight
on its side. Every time you throw from one hand,
you get ready to throw from your other hand and
keep going...!
Remember that with scarf juggling (as with a lot
of juggling), only one object is usually in the
air at any given time. This knowledge should help
you to take your time and make your pattern smoother.

Rules to juggle by
Once the simple cascade is mastered and you feel
comfortable with it, you are now ready to progress
to learning more scarf tricks. A few points to consider
before continuing are:
- Dropping is a sign of progress (if you never
dropped a ball, you would never learn how to correct
yourself!)
- If you keep making mistakes, have a break, relax,
don't worry about it. Try again later!
- Keep returning to the 3 ball cascade, and try
to work your new tricks into this pattern
- Record your progress. That way, you can look
back on your achievements and remember the hard
work you put in.
- Above all else, have fun. Juggling is a well
known form of relaxation, If you concentrate on
your juggling, then all other thoughts/worries/problems
etc are forgotten (for a short while anyway)!
*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*
Available to buy at www.Jugglingworld.biz (UK Only)
 |
|
|
Scarf Juggling Book |
Small set of juggling scarves |
Large set of juggling scarves |
Scarves Products Page
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Once you've got the cascade under control, try some
TRICKS!
| Kickup |
Start
your routine with one scarf balanced on
your foot, then kick it up into the juggling
pattern. Alternatively, at some point in
your routine, let the scarf fall onto your
foot, and it makes a nice pause or finish
to your routine! |
| Two in
one hand |
Practice throwing two scarfs
in one hand in a clockwise and then anti-clockwise
direction. Remember to practice this trick
with your weaker hand also. |
| Columns |
Throw one scarf straight up in line with
the centre of your body, then throw the other
two scarfs (which are still in your hand)
up on either side of the middle scarf when
it reaches its peak. Catch the middle scarf,
toss it again, catch the outer scarfs and
toss them...and Keep going! |
| Under the legs |
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! Once you
can do these moves from a start, try doing
them during your routine! |
| Catch on head |
Throw a scarf extra high and make sure you
can get your head underneath it, and let it
gently fall on your head or upturned face!
From this move, you can either let the scarf
fall towards a hand to continue juggling,
or blow the scarf back into the air and continue!
Try landing all 3 on your head in quick succession! |
| 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 one extra high, then taking time
to mop your sweaty forehead with one scarf,
before returning to the cascade! |
For more tricks, have a look
at my Ball Juggling
and Club Juggling
pages.

What next?
If you have mastered all these tricks
and are ready to move on, then please let me know.
Most people move on to trying to juggle rings or clubs
next!