Ripley's Rainbow
Other Tutorials:
Ripley's Rainbow is a three
ball pattern invented by Cliff
Ripley. The trick has a rushed, side-to-side rhythm reminiscent of the
Snake, with multiplexes adding an extra layer of complexity. There are no
clear prerequisites for this pattern, but it is recommended that you already
be fairly comfortable with multiplexing before attempting the trick.
To begin learning Ripley's Rainbow, start with two balls in
your dominant hand and one ball in your non-dominant hand. Throw the ball in
your non-dominant hand over toward your dominant hand and then, as that ball
begins to descend, make a split-multiplex throw from your dominant hand over
the first ball. This will clear space for your dominant hand to catch that
ball. As the multiplexed balls begin to descend, you will throw the ball in
your dominant hand along roughly the same arc as the multiplex, clearing
space for your dominant hand to catch the multiplexed ball closest to
it—your non-dominant hand will catch the other multiplexed ball. You will
then catch the last ball in your non-dominant hand.
As shown, practice this on both sides. For the next step, you
are going to make another throw from your dominant hand along the same arc
as the last ball thrown from that hand (the final ball thrown in the
previous step). You will then make a split-multiplex throw from your
non-dominant hand back toward your dominant hand, clearing space for your
non-dominant hand to catch the ball just thrown from your dominant hand. You
will then catch the multiplexed balls.
Once again, practice this on both sides. Notice that the last
two throws were a mirror image of the first two throws—to continue the
pattern, simply make the same throws/catches you normally would, except with
your hands reversed. Ripley's Rainbow is a fairly simple pattern, but when
performed fast and low it can be pleasantly challenging to juggle.