Six ball multiplexed cascade.

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There is an easy way of juggling large number of balls, and that is by throwing more than one ball in every throw. This is called multiplex and is a blessing to us who want to juggle many balls but are too lazy to learn it the hard way.

By juggling a normal three ball cascade, but replacing every ball with two balls, thrown at the same time, you are juggling six balls, and it's not very hard at all (compared to the six ball fountain).

If you don't know how to throw a multiplex then that is the first thing you must learn. Hold two balls in one hand, like when you start juggling, but instead of throwing just one of them, throw both. There are several ways to do this, but for this trick you need to throw so that both balls rise as a column, one above the other, and are caught in the other hand. Practice this until you can do it really well.

Now, think of this as just one throw. If you could use it instead of every normal throw in a three ball cascade, you would be juggling six balls.

From here you should learn the trick in the same way as you learned the three ball cascade. Here are some helpful tips:

• Take two balls in each hand. Throw a multiplex from one hand, and when it peaks, throw one from the other hand.
• Juggle a three ball cascade with just one ball replaced by a multiplex.
• When you try the whole trick you will need to start with four balls in one hand, and lead with a multiplex. Not impossible, but pretty hard. Instead, hold three balls in each hand, and start with a single ball throw. Then throw a multiplex from the other hand and just continue to juggle.
• It helps a lot if you have very, very soft beanbags. Otherwise the top ball can bounce on the bottom ball when you catch them.

When you can juggle it, it looks pretty cool. Because it is a low pattern with a lot of balls, the air in front of you will be pretty busy...

July 23, 1998, by the editorial staff.