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You might also want to reverse the throwing sequence, from left, middle, right to right, middle, left. To do this, notice that at Step 1 the left hand throws a ball up at the midpoint of the juggle. This makes a symmetrical pattern, with a ball in each hand on either side and one ball high in the middle. This allows you to choose which ball to throw next - left or right. In the pattern outlined above, the right hand throws at Step 2. But if instead the left hand throws (that would be two left-hand throws in a row), a reversed sequence-right, middle, left-will result.

Here are "reversing" Steps 2 and 3:

(Figure 12) Rev. 2. LH (tossing again) tosses 3 up at the left and catches 1.

(Figure 13) Rev. 3. RH tosses 2 up at the right, reaches over (or under) the left arm and catches 3.

Once begun, the remainder of the reversed sequence moves are so inevitable there's no need to describe them - your hands will know.

Inverted Mess

This variation of Mills' Mess begins with the same Mills' Mess move in Step 1 but, at Step 2 the ball is carried down and under, not over, the opposite arm. Hence the term "inverted," though it's used loosely here. The result, of course, is not Mills' Mess turned upside downgravity won't allow that. But the pattern is clearly related to Mills' Mess (the toss-catchcarry at Steps 2 and 5, for instance) and exhibits a lot of the same intriguing complexity.

As with Mills' Mess, the count in this trick is 1-2-3, 1-2-3. Start with two balls in the left hand, one in the right, with the left hand at the right middle of the juggle space...

(Figure 14) LH tosses 1 straight up about 7-8 inches.

(Figure 15) RH tosses 2 in a reverse cascade throw aiming for the middle of the juggle space; then immediately catches 1 at its peak and carries it down and to the left.

(Figure 16). LH reverse cascades 3 in a short lob to the right, catches 2 and swings back out to the left. (As with the unadulterated Mills' Mess, Steps 4,5, and 6 are simply the reverse of Steps 1,2, and 3.)

(Figure17). RH tosses 1 in a short lob straight up about 7-8 inches and goes right to catch 3.

(Figure 18). LH reverse cascades 2 aiming for the middle of the juggle space; then immediately catches 1 at its peak and carries it down and to the right.

(FIgure 19). RH reverse cascades 3 in a short lob to the left, catches 2 and swings back out to the right. .. .and so on.

Alternating Columns Carries I'm sure you've seen someone do a columns juggle and then begin to carry one of the "outside" balls up and down instead of tossing it. It always gets a laugh-the lazy juggler! "Look! Nothing's happening!"

We shall now see that by a simple switching maneuver this carry can be done first on one side, then on the other, and, if you wish, back and forth repeatedly. This expansion of the trick is sure to add to the fun, and it transforms the joke into a bit of bona fide juggling magic!

(Figure 20) Do a three columns juggle with LH juggling 1 and 2 side by side and RH raising and lowering 3 by hand.

(Figure 21). When LH has just tossed 2 up the center column and caught 1 at the left, and RH has lowered hand-held 3, the juggle is symmetrical - a ball in each hand and one aloft in the center. Therefore you have an option to go either way - RH can carry 3 up again and LH simultaneously toss 1 (and catch 2), or you can do the reverse - Step 3.

(Figure 22). LH carries 1 up and, simultaneously, RH tosses 3, then catches 2. When you've taught yourself the switch from right to left, try switching back, left to right. Then try switching back and forth on every throw of the pair 1 and 3.