Contact Juggling: Roll the Ball Along Your Arms

Students learn to roll a juggling ball across their hands, forearms, and shoulders without tossing it, in the style of contact juggling. They work on fine body control, balancing the ball, and smooth, flowing movement to slow music.

How to play

1. Each student takes a juggling ball and stands in their own space with arms extended in front; play slow background music (2 min).
2. Roll the ball from the palm to the fingertips and back by tilting the hand very slowly; 10 trips with each hand (3 min).
3. Roll the ball from one hand up to the elbow with the arm slightly tilted, then catch it with the other hand (3 min).
4. Chest roll: with arms out to the sides, roll the ball from one hand, across the shoulder and chest, to the other hand (4 min).
5. In pairs, each student links three moves into a slow 16-count phrase and teaches it to their partner (4 min).
6. Wrap-up: half the class shows their phrase to the other half, then switch (2 min).

Rules

• The ball is never tossed: it always stays in contact with your body.
• Work slowly; speed makes the ball fall.
• If the ball drops, wait for it to stop rolling and pick it up without running.
• Practice in your own space, two arm lengths from your neighbor.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: practice the hand and forearm rolls seated, resting the elbow on a desk or thigh.
• Autism: the slow music and repetitive moves are often calming; let the student choose the quietest spot.
• Skill level: students who master the chest roll can try rolling the ball across the back of the neck from shoulder to shoulder.

Learning goals

• Control the tilt of hands and arms to guide a ball.
• Link slow movements together smoothly and with balance.
• Create a short movement phrase to music.

Equipment for a class of 25

• juggling balls: 25
• music

Teacher tip

Remind students that the ball is the boss: the arms move very little and very slowly. Beanbag-filled balls are easier at first because they don't roll away.

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