JUGHEADS
Youth Juggling Company, LLC
5905 Concord Avenue
Edina, MN 55424
jugheads@comcast.net
612.229.3348

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October 2007

“Warm-Ups: Focus, Unity, Progress”

In spring 2004, then-freshman phenom Jughead Billy W. (JH class of '07) began leading the Ultimate Club in weekly warm-ups. Each of the 20 members had three clubs, with Billy leading by voice and example from the front of the group. Timing, focus, perfection, unity, rhythm, technique, and teamwork all improved because of these warm-ups. As one might expect, these warm-ups led by a peer didn't always go over very well, and many Jugheads balked at Billy's strict leadership style and high expectations for excellence. However, Billy's vision of systematic juggling improvement has paid off through our multiple spots as IJA Juniors & Teams finalists and medalists in 2004-2007. The Ultimate Club and Nate directly, and Genetic Fallout, Guava, Les Filles, Stefan, Swatch, The Swing Sisters, and Ryan T. indirectly have benefited from Billy's disciplined techniques, beginning with proper warm-ups. (Watch out for Ben, the newest Jughead phenom being trained by Billy!)

At our Officer Retreat last month, the Officers unanimously agreed that not only should Ultimate Club return to our former practice of group warm-ups, but all six of our weekly clubs should do the same. Currently, the Rec. clubs warm up with three balls, while the Advanced/ Elite/ Ultimate clubs warm up with three clubs. Combined with a daily theme for each club, the goal is that while much of the JH atmosphere will remain social and youth-center-like, we are entering an era of more general juggling discipline, from the youngest and least-skilled kids to the oldest kids who have more tangible proofs of their successes. The point of all this is more informational than inspirational, but this more intentional approach to our weekly club gatherings (even outside of Juggle Jam rehearsal season) will foster more long-term juggling success and more respect for juggling, even youth juggling, as a modern sport in addition to as an ancient art.