How to juggle 3 balls Learning the cascade step by step

These past few days, while training outdoors, lots of people asked me how to juggle. After teaching them on the spot, I decided to record a short but solid video to help anyone learn the 3-ball cascade from scratch. I also want to thank Òscar Dieguez, juggling teacher at Carampa’s Circus School; his method has shaped much of what you’ll find here.

This guide takes you from one ball to three with clear drills, animated GIFs, and their siteswap labels. I’ll sprinkle in what has worked for me when teaching students in workshops and in the street, so you get both structure and real-world tips.

• Goal: run a clean, relaxed 3-ball cascade.
• Method: one-ball fundamentals → two-ball exchange → three-ball entries.
• Extras: common mistakes & fixes, recommended balls, FAQs, and a video with 11 essential exercises.

How to Juggle Step by Step (with GIFs & Siteswap)

This section expands the basics with GIFs and siteswap labels so you can see what’s going on in each drill. The goal is consistency first, then speed. In my teaching, I’ve found that clean throws at eye level beat “fast and messy” every time.

1) One ball » fundamentals

Stand tall, elbows near your ribs, palms up. The throw peaks around eye level and lands in the other hand. Don’t reach for the catch—let the ball drop into your palm. This is where you build rhythm and accuracy.

• Throw with the forearm (not the shoulder or wrist flick).
• Peak near eye level and slightly toward the catching hand.
• Keep both elbows close to your sides; adjust your body instead of chasing throws.
• Teacher tip I use from Òscar: count “one” on the peak, not on the throw—this slows you down and cleans the arc.

2) Two balls » the exchange

Now add a second ball. The key idea is the exchange: when the first ball peaks, you launch the second underneath it. Their paths cross but don’t collide.

• Use two colors (easier to track). Start with one in each hand.
• Throw ball A; when it peaks, throw ball B underneath.
• Catch A in the opposite hand, then B in the starting hand.
• Repeat on both sides. My cue: “peak, then throw”.

3) Three balls » entries & first catches

Before trying to hold the cascade forever, aim for 3 clean catches, then 5. Always start from both sides so you don’t build a one-sided habit.

• Start with two balls in your dominant hand and one in the other.
• Launch ball 1; when it peaks, throw ball 2 from the opposite hand.
• Catch ball 1; when ball 2 peaks, throw ball 3 from the starting hand.
• Close the pattern, then restart from the other side. Add throws gradually: 3 → 5 → 7…
• Personal cue: relax your shoulders; smooth arcs fix most problems.

Video » 11 Essential Exercises to Solidify Your 3-Ball Cascade

In this video I condensed the most effective drills I use when teaching beginners. I’ve tested these with students and people I met while training, and the success rate has been consistently high.

Common Mistakes & How to Fix Them

• Throws too high/low: aim for eye-level peaks. If the arcs are huge, you’ll rush; if they’re tiny, you’ll panic.
• Looking down at your hands: focus ahead; your peripheral vision handles the catches.
• Death grip: squeeze less so the release is clean. Beanbags help a lot.
• Chasing the pattern: keep elbows near your ribs and move your body under the pattern instead.
• Going for endurance too soon: master 3, then 5 catches first. It builds confidence fast.

Best Balls to Start With

For beginners I recommend beanbags or sand-filled balls: they’re easy to catch, don’t roll away, and make clean releases easier. Some jugglers later switch to silicone/rubber for bounce and durability, but to start, go soft and grippy.

A Simple 10-15 Minute Practice Plan

• 2 min one-ball throws (clean arcs, eye level).
• 3 min two-ball exchanges on both sides.
• 3 min three-ball entries: sets of 3 catches, then 5.
• 2–5 min hold the cascade as long as it’s clean; stop if it gets messy and reset.
• Bonus: film a 20s clip; reviewing your form speeds up learning.

I hope this helps you learn to juggle and enjoy the process. All animations were made with JugglingLab. If this guide helped, share your progress and tag me—I love seeing those first clean cascades! 🎉

Written by a juggler and coach who teaches with Òscar Dieguez’s methodology adapted for beginners.