The Exchange (or The "Drop")

As the left hand does a counterclockwise 2­in-1-Hand juggle, the right hand, held shoulder high, drops a "new" ball into the juggle and immediately removes an ascending "old" ball ­ that's the "exchange." This maneuver can be performed once, or continuously, where every other ball tossed up in the 2-in-1-Hand juggle is removed and a new ball dropped in. When performed crisply and smoothly, this juggle has a nice "machine" or "robot" look.

 

(Figure 23) . LH tosses 1 straight up the middle (not counterclockwise this time) and catches the ball descending at left. RH, meanwhile, is bringing 2 over 1 as it rises.

   

(Figure 24). Now a drop and a throw happen simultaneously. RH drops 2 down the left-hand column, then claw catches 1 at its peak and carries it straight out to the right about 12-15 inches.

 

(Figure 25). Simultaneously, LH tosses 3 up counterclockwise at the center and it peaks just as

RH reaches its rightmost position. (There is no exchange on this throw.) LH then catches 2.

 

For a continuous juggle, keep alternating Step 1 (LH toss straight up) and Step 2 (RH exchange (Step 2a.) and LH counterclockwise throw (Step 2b.) performed simultaneously).

 

Now for a terrific variation: Instead of bringing the ball straight across the front of your body for the "drop," swing it around behind your head and over your shoulder to reach the same drop-off point. Sounds and looks very difficult, but, in fact, is only somewhat difficult. Also, learn The Exchange with the left hand doing the "drop." Then try the around-the-head maneuver with that hand. Eventually (well before the year 2000), you'll be able to swing the ball around behind your head for a drop in the front, in both directions - that is, making alternate left- and right-side drops.

 

One last challenge - The Exchange can be performed on every throw. Hold your right hand a little higher and move it back and forth only about 8-10 inches between the catch and the drop. This transforms The Exchange into a very fast (and very challenging) shower pattern.