Juggling Balls: What Type Of Ball Or Fabric To Use (Quick Guide)

Are you looking a sourcing some fabric to make a new pair of Juggling Balls?

Also wondering what type of ball you should use?

Here Is The Best Fabric To Use For Your Juggling Balls:

You are probably aware that there are different quality of materials and types of juggling balls out there. So you should be aware of the differences before you rush and buy any.

How Juggling balls are produced is important to the quality of the finished product. The best fabrics are : Leather, Acrylic, and thick Cotton.

That is the short answer.

Let’s look at the question of Juggling balls in more detail and answer some of the questions people have about materials and producing your own juggling ball.

What Are Juggling Balls Made Of?

There are six types of materials out there that are generally used to make a juggling ball. Some materials have been used for thousands of years and some are newer on the market.

Beanbag Balls:

Beanbag juggling balls are popular due to the soft nature of the ball. This means it doesn’t bounce away when you drop the ball (due to the softness of the fabric). The fabric is normally consists of a thick cotton or a felt fabric. Beginner jugglers do like this as a starting point for juggling.

Leather Balls:

The Leather juggling ball is super popular with the beginner or intermediate juggler for the feel being not too light and won’t fall apart easily. Using Leather is an excellent choice in fabric as it will last a lifetime if well cared for, and will easily break in. Leather is durable and long lasting.

Acrylic Ball:

Acrylic Balls are made from acrylic material and usually look clear in colour.

Stage Balls:

Stage balls are generally used for contact juggling practice. The fabric is flexible rubber which is shiny to look at and durable. Looks great with bright colours. The main problem with a stage ball is if the balls collide in mid air they will bounce off each other. ( leather and bean bag balls don’t do this).

Bounce Balls:

Bounce balls are made with silicone or compressed rubber. Usually come in bright colours and are water proof. This type of ball is used not just for throwing but also bouncing on the ground. This type of juggling ball is the cheapest to purchase.

Russian Ball:

Russian balls have a plastic outershell but have the filling filled with grain or rice. This was created so it has the feel of the plastic but won’t bounce away when dropped (it drops more like the bean bag).

LED Ball:

LED Balls are made from a soft silocone shell. Usually with plastic pellets inside for weight. It also comes with batteries so you are able to switch it on for colour.

What Should I Use As Juggling Balls?

Everyone is at different stages whilst learning to juggle. There are some things you will want to think about before you either make or purchase some juggling balls including:

What type of juggler are you? Meaning are you wanting to juggle 2 balls, 3 balls, 4 balls?

The amount of balls that you want to juggle will depend on what type of juggling ball you should have (see chart below). You also may want to become a performer so a juggling ball that is more colourful may be more suitable for you.

Please note that the weight of the ball is also important. You do not want a juggling ball that weighs light e.g people think a tennis ball is ok for juggling but is way too light in weight.

Below here is a chart to determine which Juggling ball is right for you to use.

Beginner Juggler:

Recommended juggling ball is a leather ball, bean ball

(Beginner Jugglers normally start to juggle 2 or 3 balls)

Intermediate/Advanced Juggler:

Recommended juggling ball is Russian Ball, Leather Ball, Bean Ball

(Intermediate and Advanced Juggler juggle 2-4 balls)

Bounce Juggling:

Recommended juggling ball is a Bounce Ball

(A bounce Juggler will only need a bounce ball)

Practice Juggling:

Recommended balls for practice juggling is Russian Balls, Bean Ball & a Leather Ball.

Stage Juggling:

Recommended ball for stage is LED balls and stage balls.

Both of these types are suitable for visual performance for stage juggling as both are colourful and fun.

Contact Juggling:

Recommended balls are Acrylic Balls and Stage Balls.

Contact Juggling is not only using your hands but also using your body e.g arms, legs within your juggling routine.

What Is Inside A Juggling Ball?

Juggling balls have different contents inside the ball depending the type of juggling ball you choose. Below are the list of juggling below with what is inside each one:

Beanbag Balls:

Filled with ground rubber, crushed rock, sand, plastic pellets, birdseed, rice, millet seed.

Leather Balls:

Filled with ground rubber, crushed rock, sand, plastic pellets, birdseed, rice, millet seed.

Acrylic Balls:

Hollow and not filled with anything

Stage Balls:

Hollow and not filled with anything.

Bounce Balls:

Hollow and not filled with anything.

Russian Balls:

Filled with millet seed.

Led Balls:

Hollow and not filled with anything.

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