Once you’ve mastered three balls, an obvious next step is to try juggling something a bit different. Rings are probably the cheapest and easiest option. Clubs are more expensive, but are preferred by many jugglers. For the brave, mock knives are also available. The metal blades are not (usually) sharpened, but will still hurt quite a bit if you catch the wrong end by mistake. For performing in the dark, you might like to try fire and glo equipment.
Rings are usually made of tough plastic they can be obtained for a couple of pounds each from the usual juggling suppliers. Rings can be juggled using the same cascade pattern that is used for balls; most of the tricks which can be done with balls can also be attempted with rings.
To juggle rings, hold them vertically pointing forwards-and-back (as opposed to side-to-side). Loosely hold the vertical bit of the ring which is nearest to you, with your fingers wrapped round. As with balls, the main throwing action should come from the elbow rather than the wrist. Though as you let go you should use a small flick of the wrist to spin the ring (nearer side downwards). This will help keep the ring more stable during its flight.
The price of a juggling clubs can be anything from about £5 to over £25. A cheap set will probably be fine when you’re just starting out, but as you get better you will probably appreciate something more expensive. Clubs come in a variety of styles, weights, shapes, and sizes. They can feel quite different to juggle, so before deciding what to buy try and have a go with a few different clubs and get some advice from their owners.
