Juggling 3 clubs on a slackline, slack rope or rodeo line is such a cool trick.
Initially I assumed it would be extremely hard. I thought that the weight of the clubs changing sides would destabilize the overall balance. But it is actually easier than it looks.
Of course 2 prerequisites are being able to juggle 3 clubs very solid and being very confident on your slackline balance. Personally, I think that it is easier when the line is looser.
If learning it on a rodeo line (slackline without tension) or slack rope, to start, I recommend a short one, 5 or 6 meters long, and with the anchors not too high 1-1.5m above the ground. Also, it is easier to do it in the middle since closer to the anchors the line tends to swing more.
If learning it on a slackline (tight) it feels safer to start on the side, but the corrections are wider and it is harder, so I think it is also easier in the middle. In Longlines (30m+) this changes and in the middle it gets very tricky.
Of course it is better to learn it on a low line first, knee height or even lower.
The easiest way to do the trick, is to balance on your strong foot (in my case my left) and leave the other foot out and as low as possible. The idea is that you can use the other leg to make the balancing corrections, so you don’t need to use the arms at all. A good way to get that balance is to stand on your strong foot and try to keep the balance without using your arms. You can cross your arms to make sure you don’t use them for the balance. If this feels easy then juggling 3 clubs on the line should be a breeze. Otherwise you have to practice this balance a lot until it is solid.
Once you can do that easily, it is time to try it with the clubs!. You can also do it with balls or rings, but clubs are easier because, since they are longer, your throw doesnt need to be so precise in order to catch it.
So grab your clubs, walk to the middle of the line, stand on your strong foot and wait until the balance is stable. Flexing your standing knee a little helps. Remember to look at the end of the line and always have your core in tension. Start juggling but without looking at the clubs, keep your focus on the balance. Don’t forget to keep breathing! Juggle the clubs in singles, so even if you are looking at a fixed point at the end of the line, they are on your sight.
At the beginning you will move your body a lot. Because you have one leg out, make sure you don’t wait too long until you jump off the line if you are too far out of balance! On a low line it is not so much of a problem but on a higher line this can be dangerous. So if you find yourself too far from the centre of balance, jump off safely and start again.
Juggling 3 Clubs on a line on one foot
With some practice I am sure you will get this in no time!
Then it is time to try it on the other foot. It is always a good idea to learn tricks on both sides, but in this case it is mandatory if you want to learn walking the line while juggling 3 clubs.
It is the same technique, just a bit harder. But you get the idea so it is just a matter of some practice.
After you can do it on each leg, walking it is just changing from one to the next. I usually start with my strong foot and a few steps from the middle. Once stable and with the weight in the middle, you can take a quick step and then move the weight forward. It is important to feel that your front foot is already on the line before shifting forward the weight. I would say that this is the only point in which you have a chance of having a bad fall.
While you are walking the line, you will realize of how it feels differently closer to the anchors than in the middle. Initially just walk the central part of the line. On a rodeo line, closer to the anchors it will move more and you will be higher too!
On this “basic” walk, you wait on each foot and regain stability before taking the next step.
Basic walk while juggling 3 clubs on a slackline
A more advanced trick is to walk continuously and to juggle the 3 clubs with both feet on the line. It becomes harder, because instead of using the leg in the air to make the corrections, you have to use your torso and hips, and the range for error is smaller. So basically, you have to be always more centered in order to keep the balance. On the other hand, it feels nicer and it is actually safer, especially on higher and longer lines, where standing on 1 foot could be dangerous.
For this trick, it is essential to have the core in tension! A good practice is to walk the line with your thumbs in your pockets, to get the feeling of balancing without the arms and without using much your legs.
“Advanced” walking on the line while juggling 3 Clubs. Juggling 3 Clubs with both feet on the line.
I hope it helps and let us know if you have any questions!
BALANCE AND JUGGLING 