Juggling ring
Encyclopedia
Juggling rings, or simply "rings", are a popular prop used by jugglers
, usually in sets of three or more, or in combination with other props such as balls
or clubs
. The rings used by jugglers are typically about 30 centimetres (11.8 in) in diameter and 3 millimetre (0.118110236220472 in) thick.
Juggling rings are easier to juggle than clubs, but harder than balls due to size and throwing mechanics. Because of rings' impressive appearance for their level of difficulty, they remain a popular juggling item.
As with balls and clubs, the most basic patterns of ring juggling are the cascade
and fountain
. In these patterns, the left and right hands alternate throwing rings at approximately the same height. Some ball and club tricks can also be performed with rings, but their unique shape and spinning abilities result in a different visual effect.
Several patterns and tricks are unique to rings. For example, a spinning ring oriented vertically can be cradled and spun on a ring that is held horizontally. Rings can be spun along different axes resulting in a trick called "pancake flips." "Color change" involves rings colored differently on both sides, the performers catch the ring hand facing up and then throw the ring with the hand facing down, giving the appearance that the ring has changed. One of the most common tricks unique to rings is the "pull down." In this trick, usually used at the end of a performance routine, each of the rings is caught and placed over the performers neck in sequence.
Because of their thinness, light weight, and relative ease of collecting, rings are often used for juggling high numbers of props. Jugglers often wear gloves or other protection when juggling more than four rings, as the height of the pattern, thin cross-section and hard plastic of rings can act like blades and lead to chafing
.
production Corteo
, the jugglers passed with multiple rings. Juggling with rings may be easier than juggling with clubs because there are no flips to time.
(where each prop is thrown and caught once) is thirteen, by Albert Lucas in 2002. The record for number of rings flashed is the highest verified record for number of juggling props flashed of any kind.
Juggling
Juggling is a skill involving moving objects for entertainment or sport. The most recognizable form of juggling is toss juggling, in which the juggler throws objects up to catch and toss up again. This may be one object or many objects, at the same time with one or many hands. Jugglers often refer...
, usually in sets of three or more, or in combination with other props such as balls
Juggling balls
thumb|right|A set of juggling beanbagsJuggling balls, or simply balls, are a popular prop used by jugglers, either on their own—usually in sets of three or more—or in combination with other props such as clubs or rings...
or clubs
Juggling club
Juggling clubs, or simply clubs are a prop used by jugglers, as are other props such as balls or rings. A typical club is in the range of long, weighs between , is slim at the "handle" end, and has its center of balance nearer the wider "body" end...
. The rings used by jugglers are typically about 30 centimetres (11.8 in) in diameter and 3 millimetre (0.118110236220472 in) thick.
Juggling rings are easier to juggle than clubs, but harder than balls due to size and throwing mechanics. Because of rings' impressive appearance for their level of difficulty, they remain a popular juggling item.
Use in juggling
When juggled, rings are typically spun about their central axis. The resulting Gyroscopic Motion of the ring allows it to keep the same orientation after it is thrown. This property is utilized by performers to achieve various visual effects. For example, a performer might intentionally juggle some rings with the broad side to the audience and some others with the edge to the audience.As with balls and clubs, the most basic patterns of ring juggling are the cascade
Cascade (juggling)
In juggling, a cascade is the simplest pattern achievable with an odd number of props. The simplest cascade is the three-ball cascade. This is therefore the first pattern that most jugglers learn.-Three-ball cascade:...
and fountain
Fountain (juggling)
The fountain is a juggling pattern that is often used for juggling an even number of objects. In a fountain, each hand juggles separately, and the objects are not thrown between the hands. For example, in a four-ball fountain, each hand juggles two balls independently.A fountain can be synchronous...
. In these patterns, the left and right hands alternate throwing rings at approximately the same height. Some ball and club tricks can also be performed with rings, but their unique shape and spinning abilities result in a different visual effect.
Several patterns and tricks are unique to rings. For example, a spinning ring oriented vertically can be cradled and spun on a ring that is held horizontally. Rings can be spun along different axes resulting in a trick called "pancake flips." "Color change" involves rings colored differently on both sides, the performers catch the ring hand facing up and then throw the ring with the hand facing down, giving the appearance that the ring has changed. One of the most common tricks unique to rings is the "pull down." In this trick, usually used at the end of a performance routine, each of the rings is caught and placed over the performers neck in sequence.
Because of their thinness, light weight, and relative ease of collecting, rings are often used for juggling high numbers of props. Jugglers often wear gloves or other protection when juggling more than four rings, as the height of the pattern, thin cross-section and hard plastic of rings can act like blades and lead to chafing
Chafing
Chafing when used as a nautical term describes the process of wear on a line or sail caused by constant rubbing against a hard, usually metallic, surface. Various methods are used to prevent chafing. Chafing of lines that rest on a choke on a boat can be prevented by putting a protecting material...
.
In passing
It is possible, but not the norm, to pass rings in basic patterns such as four count and solids; for example, in the Cirque du SoleilCirque du Soleil
Cirque du Soleil , is a Canadian entertainment company, self-described as a "dramatic mix of circus arts and street entertainment." Based in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, and located in the inner-city area of Saint-Michel, it was founded in Baie-Saint-Paul in 1984 by two former street performers, Guy...
production Corteo
Corteo
Corteo is a Cirque du Soleil touring production that premiered in Montreal, Canada on April 21, 2005. As of May 24, 2005, Cirque du Soleil had broken its record of spectators for the première location in Montreal; more than 200,000 people had viewed the production, far outpacing the prior record...
, the jugglers passed with multiple rings. Juggling with rings may be easier than juggling with clubs because there are no flips to time.
Records
The record for the most juggling rings juggled (where each prop is thrown and caught at least twice) is ten rings for forty-seven catches, by Anthony Gatto in 2006. The record for the most juggling rings flashedFlash (juggling)
A Flash in juggling is where each throw in a pattern being juggling is thrown and caught once. For a three ball cascade, this means three throws and three catches. However, for a four balls mills mess, this means six throws/catches as one round of the pattern requires six throws to complete it....
(where each prop is thrown and caught once) is thirteen, by Albert Lucas in 2002. The record for number of rings flashed is the highest verified record for number of juggling props flashed of any kind.