Howcast

How to Juggle

Howcast — Tue, 10 May 2011 13:30:58 +0000

Instructions

Step 1: Start in the “rest” position Start in the “rest” position. Stand with your hands in front of you at waist level, and about shoulder width apart. Hold one of the balls comfortably in your right hand.
Step 2: Master the basic throw Throw the ball in an arc from your right hand to your left, and back again. Do this at least 50 times, making your movements smooth and relaxed, returning your hands to the rest position after each catch.
TIP: The peak of the arc should be at the height of your head, but slightly off- center, above the shoulder of the catching arm. Notice the ball at the top of its arc, but don’t follow it or look at your hands.
Step 3: Do a two-ball exchange Do a two-ball exchange. Put one ball in each hand. Throw the first ball as before. When the ball reaches the top of its arc, throw the other ball just under it. Catch each ball in the opposite hand.
TIP: Be patient — it takes practice. Stay focused on your throwing technique. If you get stuck, forget about catching for awhile and just let the balls fall to the floor.
Step 4: Do a three-ball exchange Do a three-ball exchange. Add another ball to your right hand and throw it. When it peaks, throw the next ball from the opposite hand. When that peaks, throw the third ball. Catch the balls in turn, catching the last one next to the second one in your left hand.
TIP: Each time you practice, visualize the path of the three balls before you begin.
Step 5: Do the three-ball cascade Do the three-ball cascade. Keep the balls going around. Each time a ball reaches the top of its arc, clear the catching hand by throwing the next ball across.
Step 6: Practice Practice the three-ball cascade every day until the motions feel relaxed and fluid. Then, you can try a new pattern or begin practicing with other objects.
Step 7: Entertain family and friends Show off your new skills by entertaining your family and friends.
FACT: Drawings of people juggling have been found among ancient Egyptian hieroglyphics.

You Will Need

3 balls
Hand-eye coordination

How to Ride a Unicycle

Howcast — Mon, 26 Apr 2010 15:01:27 +0000

Instructions

Step 1: Suit up Put on your helmet and pads. You can expect to fall down a lot at first.
Step 2: Get on Put one pedal at its lowest position and put your foot on the pedal. Hold onto a wall or railing and pull your body up and onto the seat.
TIP: Put your weight on the saddle instead of leaning hard on the pedals. Remember this saying: “Weight on the seat, not on the feet.”
Step 3: Balance Practice balancing while holding onto a wall or railing by rocking the unicycle back and forth in half-pedal turns.
Step 4: Move forward Pedal forward using the wall or railing as a guide. When you get going, let go and hold your arms out for balance.
TIP: Sit up straight. Hunching over will throw off your balance.
Step 5: Step off If you start to fall, step off the unicycle and let it fall down.
Step 6: Stay up Keep practicing until you get comfortable. Pedal faster to catch up with the wheel when it gets out in front, and pedal slower when it falls behind.
Step 7: Add new moves Add new moves. Shift your body weight to turn, and pedal backwards to move the unicycle backwards.
FACT: A unicycle that is over 5 feet tall is called a “giraffe unicycle.”

You Will Need

Helmet
Elbow and knee pads
Unicycle
Wall or railing

How to Join the Circus

Howcast — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 15:17:26 +0000

Instructions

Step 1: Be realistic Know what you’re getting into. You’ll be working long hours, many holidays, and most weekends. And you’ll spend a lot of time on the road.
Step 2: Check web sites Check the websites of the biggest circuses, like Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey, Cirque du Soleil, and the Big Apple Circus for job listings. You’ll find ads for everything from rope skippers to tent riggers.
Step 3: Have a skill Have a skill that the circus needs. If you want to be a performer, you’ll have to be exceptionally good at a circus act, like walking the tightrope or swinging from a trapeze.
TIP: It helps if you have a gimmick, like a unique acrobatic ability.
Step 4: Get training If you’re short on skills, enroll in a circus school such as the San Francisco Circus Center or The Circus Space in London, which offers classes in tumbling, contortion, balancing, juggling, aerial work, and clowning.
Step 5: Consider alternatives If performing isn’t your thing, but you still crave the excitement of being part of a traveling circus, consider applying for a nontheatrical position, like an animal-care attendant or wardrobe assistant.
Step 6: Apply Apply for a position, following the rules set by the circus on their web site. Performers must send a resume, headshots, and an audition tape.
TIP: Photos should clearly show your face and your body, as well as convey your personality (which hopefully is outgoing).
Step 7: Be patient Be patient. You may have to wait for a spot to open, no matter how good you are.
FACT: Some circus performers wear bracelets made of braided elephant hair for good luck.

You Will Need

Determination
Discipline
Skill
Training (optional) (optional)
Headshot and body shot (optional) (optional)
Audition tape (optional) (optional)

How to Throw Knives

Howcast — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 06:01:21 +0000

Instructions

: Knives are dangerous, especially when thrown. Throw them at your own risk, and never throw them at others.
Step 1: Get throwing knives Get some throwing knives. There are many websites that cater to knife-throwing enthusiasts and that can recommend what kind of knives a beginner should buy.
Step 2: Find a throwing location Find a place to throw the knives, ideally one that is far away from absolutely anything that you could accidentally cut or kill with an errant toss.
Step 3: Get a target Get a target in which knives will stick, like the side of a wooden shed or an old, propped-up wooden door.
Step 4: Position knife Hold the knife in your dominant hand. This is your throwing hand. Grip the handle as you would a hammer, but rest your thumb along the edge.
Step 5: Stand properly Get in a proper knife-throwing stance, with your dominant foot back, your weight on your back foot, and your knees bent.
Step 6: Bring arm back Bring the arm holding the knife back and up. Your elbow should be level with your shoulder.
Step 7: Throw smoothly Throw the knife by swinging your hand and arm toward the target and extending your reach as you throw forward. Keep the knife pointed toward where you want it to go as you let it fly.
Step 8: Practice Keep practicing until you become adept at hitting your target.
TIP: For best results, keep your blades sharp.
Step 9: Rest your arm Rest your arm between throwing sessions. Just like tennis players and baseball pitchers, knife throwers are at risk for arm injuries if they overdo it.
FACT: Terry O’Quinn, who plays the character John Locke on Lost, is proficient in knife throwing.

You Will Need

Throwing knives
Patience
An unwavering dedication to safety

How to Juggle Three Balls

Howcast — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 18:09:39 +0000

Instructions

Step 1: Assume the postion Stand in a comfortable stance with your feet shoulder-width apart and your elbows bent at about a 90-degree angle.
Step 2: Start with one ball Start by practicing throwing one ball back and forth between your hands in a nice, gentle arc. You want to keep your elbows in and your throws consistent, with the ball arcing at about eye level.
TIP: Using beanbags when you first begin can be helpful, since they won’t roll away when you drop them!
Step 3: Practice with your eyes closed You’ll probably find that your throws go awry a little at the beginning, so keep practicing until you can throw the ball back and forth with your eyes closed.
Step 4: Add another ball Add another ball. With one in each hand, throw a ball as before and—before it comes down—throw the other ball underneath so it lands in your other hand. Practice catching both balls.
TIP: As you practice, alternate starting with either hand.
Step 5: Add a third ball Put two balls in your dominant hand and one in the opposite hand. Toss the balls just as before, but add a third throw right before the second ball comes down. Keep practicing until you can make three throws and three catches.
Step 6: Keep throwing and catching Once you’re confident catching all three balls, add a fourth throw and catch, and a fifth one, and so on… Don’t look now, but you’re juggling!
FACT: Did you know? ‘Joggling,’ jogging while juggling, is becoming a popular sport, and in 2007 a joggler finished a Toronto marathon in two hours and 50 minutes—while juggling three balls.

You Will Need

Three balls to juggle
Dexterity
Patience