Crossed-Arm Shower
Other Tutorials:
- Siteswap: (4x,2x)
- Difficulty (1-10): 7
- Prerequisites: Shower
- Related Tricks: Reverse Variation
None yet found.
The Crossed-Arm Shower is, as
its name suggests, a variation of the Shower pattern in which your arms are
crossed. The overall shape of the pattern is virtually unchanged (though
usually smaller), so conceptually the trick is fairly simple. The main
difficulty comes from learning how to make horizontal passes from a
crossed-arm position—a very unusual throw type not present in most juggling
tricks. The hand that throws these passes can be crossed over or
under, but for this tutorial I am going to consider the crossed-over form as
standard, and the crossed-under form as the "Reverse Variation."
To begin learning the Crossed-Arm Shower, start with one ball
in your dominant hand and then cross your arms such that your dominant arm
is on top. Without uncrossing your arms, make a horizontal pass from your
dominant hand to your non-dominant hand. You will want to make this a
forceful throw along a straight line—the ball should not be lightly tossed,
as might be your first instinct.
Practice this until the throw feels natural. Unlike in the
animation, you could also practice passing the ball back from the hand
crossed under, as it is the quickest way to return the ball to your dominant
hand. To add in the second ball, you are going to start with one ball in
each hand and your arms crossed in the same configuration as before. You
will then perform an under-the-arm throw from your non-dominant hand toward
your dominant hand while simultaneously making a horizontal pass from your
dominant hand to your non-dominant hand (as was practiced in the first
step), catching the under-the-arm throw with your now empty dominant hand.
Practice this extensively. Next, we are going to extend the
second step such that, after making its first under-the-arm throw, your
non-dominant hand will make another throw using the ball passed by your
dominant hand. Your dominant hand will then catch the first under-the-arm
throw and quickly pass it back to your non-dominant hand, clearing space for
your dominant hand to catch the second throw.
Practice this until you can do all of the throws comfortably
and consistently. To add in the third ball, start with two balls in your
non-dominant hand and one ball in your dominant hand. Cross your arms in the
same configuration as before, then make an under-the-arm throw from
your non-dominant hand. As that ball peaks and begins to descend, you will
make a second throw from your non-dominant hand while simultaneously passing
the ball in your dominant hand to your non-dominant hand. This will clear
space for your dominant hand to catch the first under-the-arm throw. Your
dominant hand will then also catch the second ball thrown from your
non-dominant hand.
As always, practice this step until you are comfortable with
it. To continue the pattern, simply make another pass/under-the-arm-throw
combination and then keep adding them in as you become more proficient. The
Crossed-Arm Shower is an enjoyable pattern in its own right, but its real
value lies in unlocking three ball tricks that utilize a crossed-arm
horizontal pass (e.g. non-standard versions of the 441 and 531 Mills Mess).