Difficulty: 2 - Simple Trick
Siteswap: (4,2)(4x,2)(4,2x)
Prerequisite Skills: Columns, Fake Columns, Claw
Watch Video - WMV - 0.9 MB
A.K.A. - Machine, Factory, Assembly Line
The Robot is one of my favorite tricks. Spectators love to see this trick. Little do they know, it's one of the easies tricks to perform (more bang for your buck).
Because of its rigid mechanical motion, it looks very different from most of the other smooth and flowing juggling patterns. When you transition into the Robot from a regular pattern, the shock of this new motion is a guaranteed crowd pleaser. I get more requests for this trick than any other.
Instructions:
Start by juggling Fake Columns (two-in-one hand, with the other hand moving a held ball).
Fake Robot - Now, add a step to the hand holding the ball. When you get to the top, pause, then move it horizontally straight across to the other side of your body. Then move it back across and back down. Make all the movements of this hand synchronized with the throws of the other hand.
Finally, drop the held ball when you get it over to the other side. Then quickly move your empty hand back across to pick up the now falling ball on the other side. This pick-up is the hardest part of the trick, because it requires some hand speed. Use a claw catch to snag that ball as its falling down.
When you do it perfectly, every movement of the held ball will be in time with the other balls as they are thrown and reach their apex. As you get more comfortable with it, you can add sharpness (and brief pauses) in your movements, so that it looks more mechanical, like a robot. I use a claw catch and drop of the carried ball (to make it look more like a crane), but you can also do it by holding the ball from underneath.
Variations:
Reverse Robot - This trick is a bit harder than the regular version, because it requires quicker hand speed. Notice that the quick throw straight up has to be met with the other hand rather quickly. It's fun to transition from the regular Robot to the Reverse by using a round of the Fake Robot.
Watch Video - WMV - 0.6 MB
