Tired of passing just one club at a time? Then read on. We'll discuss the multiplex in the context of club passing. A multiplex is a throw of two or more objects from the same hand at once. We'll discuss some common and some uncommon multiplex throws done from a 2-count pass­ing pattern. These throws are based on various one-club throws - for more details on how to make the basic throws involved, including flats, chops and shoulder throws, see the Spring 1992 Juggler's Workshop.

The Underneath Grip and the Top Grip

In order to throw two clubs at once, you need to know how to hold them-and there are two basic ways. Some throws call for the underneath grip and some for the top grip. In both grips you generally want to hold the clubs on the handle fairly close to the middle.

For underhand throws (like the single) and for backhand throws, put the second club's handle under the first club (see Fig. 1). This is the underneath grip.

For overhand throws (like the chop), put the second club's handle over the first club (Fig. 2), and then turn your hand around so your palm faces your partner (Fig. 3). This is the top grip.

The rule for both grips is that the palm should be on the same side of the clubs as the left club's handle when you're in position to make the throw from your right hand. So that the two clubs will travel in parallel paths, hold them near the middle with their ends even - neither club sticking out further than the other. If one club sticks out past the other, they will likely spin differently and be hard to catch.

To prevent the clubs from colliding when thrown, hold them with the line between their body centers (the fat part) horizontal and perpendicular to the line you want the clubs to follow toward your partner. This will make one club go on each side of that line to your partner when you throw. Avoid holding the clubs as shown in Fig. 4, but note the correct positions shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3.

Adding the Second Club: The Put

Here's the simplest and fastest way to get two clubs into your right hand while passing a 2-count. After a right hand pass, catch a normal self in your right hand and immediately put the club that's in your left hand into your right hand, either under or over the club that's already there. That is, instead of doing another self throw from the left hand, move that club directly over to, and into, your right hand.

You can save a little time in doing this by moving your right hand with the newly caught self over to the left to meet the left hand and its second club. This is useful if you're trying to do a multiplex while passing seven or more clubs, especially if it's singles.

After you've handed the second club to your right hand, resist the temptation to pass the two clubs immediately. Your partner won't like that. Instead, throw a normal self from the left. As that self reaches your right, make the multiplex throw to empty the right hand.

The reason you have to delay the multiplex throw is to give your partner a hole before you pass the two clubs at once and fill the hole.

Adding the Second Club: The Catch

Another relatively common, though slightly harder, way of getting a second club into your passing hand is the multiplex catch. Simply don't pass a club when you should, but hold onto it and then catch the normal self throw on top of (or under) it in your right hand. By not passing that club, you give your partner a hole, so that when the very next passing beat comes, you can throw the multiplex and fill the hole.

Catching the second club on top of the first in your right hand is fairly easy. Point the body of the first club diagonally to the right, and then open your right hand (with the club in it) a moment before the second club comes down. The body of the second club should come down just to the left of the first and the two handles should cross and smack together, at which point you close your fingers around both. Be sure to get your fingers out of the way of the landing, lest they be smacked themselves between the two handles!

By the way, independent of the multiplex, this is a good way to stop juggling with two clubs in one hand, ready to start up again. You should be able to stop this way with two clubs in either hand.

To catch the second club under the first is a little trickier. To do that, let go of the first club with all but the thumb. Hold that club by pivoting it on the knuckle at the base of the index finger with the palm up (Fig. 5). The other four fingers are open and ready to catch the next club. Catch the second club in the fingers (avoid having it hit the handle or knob of the first club); then pull the first club down on top with the thumb. Remember that you want to end up with the two clubs even, neither sticking out, so try to catch the second about even with the first. Now you've learned to set up two clubs in your right hand, so let's talk about various ways you can throw them.