Difficulty: 2 - Simple Trick
Siteswap: 441
Prerequisite Skills: Cascade, Columns
Watch Video - WMV - 0.7 MB
441 is a simple little pattern that is fun to juggle. It looks like the Box pattern, but because 441 is asynchronous and a slower pattern, it is a lot easier to juggle. This pattern is also a good one to practice to build up to the 4-ball Fountain.
Instructions:
For some reason, I didn't learn this simple pattern until well after I had most of the more difficult tricks mastered. It was a bit confusing at first, because I kept trying to change it into the Box pattern instead of the 441.
Start with one ball in each hand, and practice the "44" part of the pattern. Just throw one ball straight up in a column, immediately followed by the other hand. Stager the throws. Practice both sides.
Now add the third ball. Start with two balls in your right hand and one in your left. Throw right-hand column, immediately followed by left-hand column (same as above), then pass the third ball straight across into your left hand. Then throw that new ball straight up in a column in your left hand, before the first left-hand column ball comes back down. Immediately after you throw that ball, throw a right hand column, followed by the left to right pass straight across. Continue.
When done correctly, the pattern will feel like a see saw going back and forth in your hands.
Variations:
441 Behind-the-Back - Any pattern that has a 1 siteswap (pass straight across from one hand to the other), you can do it using a behind-the-back pass. This is not to be confused with a behind-the-back throw. The behind-the-back pass is a bit harder than the regular pass, and it requires a faster hand speed. You may want to practice just the behind-the-back pass with one ball at first, until you feel comfortable with it.
66111 - You can make three quick passes back and forth between your hand, under the two columns throws.
