Havana (juggling) facts for kids

Havana is a cool juggling pattern that involves four jugglers working together. To do the Havana pattern, you need a total of 12 clubs. It's a special kind of "club passing" pattern, which means jugglers throw clubs to each other in a specific way.

This pattern is a bit like a "feed weave," where one person (the "feeder") throws clubs to others (the "feedees") in a rotating circle. In Havana, the feeder changes as the pattern goes on.

Jugglers performing the Havana pattern.

How the Havana Pattern Works

In the Havana pattern, there's always one juggler who is the "feeder." This feeder throws clubs to the other jugglers. The people receiving the clubs are called "feedees."

The Feeder's Role

The feeder starts by throwing clubs to a specific feedee, often called "feedee B." The feeder makes five throws in a motion that's like a car's windshield wiper. All these throws are made with the right hand and are called "tramline" passes. This means the clubs travel in a straight line, almost like on a train track.

The Feedees' Role

While the feeder is throwing, the feedees are busy too!

• The feeder throws clubs every two counts (this is called "everies").
• The feedees, on the other hand, count to six before they throw.
• After the very first throw from the feeder, two of the feedees (B and C) start to move. They switch places by moving in a clockwise direction.

Changing Feeders

The most interesting part of Havana is how the feeder changes:

• After the feedees have switched places, and the first feeder has made their fourth throw, feedee B takes a step forward.
• Then, feedee B turns around in a counter-clockwise direction. This movement helps set up the next person to become the new feeder.
• The new feeder will be juggler D.
• As soon as the first feeder finishes their fifth throw, juggler D immediately starts their turn as the feeder. There's no break between the two feeders!

Learning the Havana Pattern

Some jugglers find it helpful to practice a simpler pattern first. A good warm-up for Havana is a "4-person feed weave." This is where four people juggle, and one person acts as a single feeder. Practicing this can help you get ready for the more complex movements and timing of Havana.

Havana Variations

Once you've mastered the Havana pattern, there are other similar patterns you can try!

• Phoenix: This pattern is very similar to Havana. The main difference is that the feeder starts by throwing clubs to the juggler on their far right. It's like a "turn right" version of Havana.
• Albuquerque: This variation is like a mirror image of Havana. Instead of using your right hand for all the passes, you use your left hand for every throw.