A-Z Glossary of Circus Skills and Juggling Equipment Prop Definitions
This glossary contains simple descriptions of props you are likely to come across if you attend a juggling/circus skills workshop. “Juggling” in a general sense can refer to all forms of object manipulation, such as diabolo, devilsticks, turntables, etc., so it is more than just the art of throwing multiple objects into the air at the same time.
astrojax – A toy containing 3 balls on a string. A ball is attached to each end of the string, and the middle ball can slide freely between the two end balls. This skill toy lets you do a combination of juggling, yo-yo, and lasso tricks. It was invented in 1987.
bar style – The practice of bartenders entertaining their guests while mixing drinks (such as cocktails) using bottles, cocktail shakers, etc. “Style” can include juggling and flipping bottles, catching shaker cups, etc. This skill became popular when it was seen in the 1988 film “Cocktail” starring Tom Cruise and on Britain’s Got Talent where the Bar Wizards made it to the Grand Final in 2007.
flingo beach – A game where you pass a small ball between you and a partner using a bib that is made of trampoline-type cloth. Very addictive and you can use these bibs to play volleyball or for a massive group game of keepy-uppy’s!
Bounce (Ground) Juggling – The art of bouncing balls on the floor in various juggling patterns.
Cigar Box Handling – Three rectangular-shaped boxes that resemble cigar boxes but are much more solid. They are usually padded around the edges with a felt-like material. The basic tricks involve holding the two outer boxes, catching a box in the middle (known as the “starting position”), and then manipulating the middle box in various directions. WC Fields popularized this accessory, and it gained popularity in the UK when Kris Kremo expertly performed in them on TV’s The Generation Game Christmas special in 1993.
Club (Juggle) – One of the main props of juggling. It consists of a handle and a body. You throw from the handle so that the club completes one or more turns before you grab it by the handle once more. Our American friends call them “pins” and “bowling pins” or “torches” if they are set on fire!
rolling club – When you roll a stick across the ground, it will roll in a perfect circle. This allows you to create many fantastic and interesting patterns with 3 or 6 suits.
swing club – The swing of two clubs around the body, arms and legs. This is a form of contact juggling as the props remain in contact with the performer at all times.
contact juggling – a form of object manipulation in which one or more objects remain in contact with the body (hands, feet, etc.) at all times. The most common form of contact juggling is to use a ball (usually an acrylic or stage ball). This was made popular in the movie Labyrinth. Other props you can juggle include Poi Spinning, Club Swinging, and Pen Spinning.
diabolo – A large hourglass-shaped object that can be spun and caught on a string between two hand sticks. The name is derived from a Greek verb meaning “to throw”. Multiple pellets can be spun on a string, and the possibilities for this accessory continue to expand each year with new people pushing the limits.
devil stick (also known as devil stick, rhythm sticks, lunastix, etc.) – Consists of 2 hand sticks (rubber/silicone coated) and a larger stick in the middle that is manipulated in hundreds of different ways. Flowersticks have tassels on the end that allow you to move a bit slower in the air (making tricks easier to learn).
feather balance – One of the easiest objects to balance as they move very slowly in the air. Peacock and ostrich feathers are ideal. Try to balance on your hand, finger, chin, nose, etc.
Fire Juggler/Juggling – Many of the Circus Skills accessories featured in this glossary have versions with fuses that can be dipped in fuel (such as paraffin) and set on fire. The main fire accessories include Fire Poi, Fire Staff, Fire Devilstick, Fire Diabolo, Fire Clubs and even Fire Balls (You may need kevlar gloves to be able to juggle these!)
Giraffe – Tall unicycle (usually between 5-6 feet) where the pedals and the wheel are connected by a chain. It may actually be easier to ride than a full-size unicycle, as long as you’re not afraid of heights!
Glow Juggler/Juggler – Many of the Circus Skills props featured in this glossary have versions that you can light up. The most expensive light fixtures will even allow you to program light sequences! The most common glitter accessories include Glow Poi, Glow Balls, Glow Diabolo, Glow Devilstick, Glow Rings, Glow Clubs and Glow Staff.
Juggling/hat manipulation – Throw and catch one or several hats with the hands, feet, body and head. Tricks usually end with the hat being thrown or placed on the performer’s head.
Jitter Ring / Gyro Ring – The Jitter Ring is actually just 5 small tops of slightly unusual design that are strung on a metal ring so they can spin freely. The disks can spin up to 1000 rpm! It makes a very nice spinning noise.
Kendama – Traditional Japanese toy consisting of a ball with a thread, a skewer and several glasses of different sizes. It’s a bit like the classic game of cup and ball, but it’s much more difficult!
Beach umbrella – The rolling of an object such as a ball, coin, juggling ring or box over an oriental parasol (which looks like a very delicate umbrella).
Pedal Racing / Fun Wheels – Fun toys with wheels ideal for learning to maintain balance.
rotary pen – If you ever got bored at work/school and started spinning a pen (or pencil) between your fingers, then you’ve been spinning a pen! Many clever tricks can be learned. This is a form of contact juggling, as the object remains in contact with your body at all times.
plate handling – the manipulation of dishes throughout the body with hands, arms, feet and body.
plate twist – The art of spinning a plate (or bowl) on a stick (or pole).
spinning poi – Poi is a heavy object (such as a ball or bean bag) suspended from a rope or chain. You hold the other end of the rope/chain and can swing the poi in many different directions. This originates from the Maori people of New Zealand, where “poi” simply means ball.
Rings (Juggling) – Flat plastic circles with a hole in the middle. A common item for juggling and considered easier than stick juggling when trying to learn with more than 3 as the rings are so thin they are less likely to bump into each other and are easier to stack/hold on hands.
roll ball (also known as Balance Board, teeter board, bongo board, rolla-bolla, etc.) – Consists of a round tube (such as a PVC tube) and a board that is strong enough to support your weight when placed on top of the tube so that you can keep your balance. It’s like a one man seesaw! Once you master the basics, you can learn to juggle on top of the roll-ball to add a bit of danger and excitement to your performance.
Scarves (Juggling) – A square of fabric (like cloth). This can be the ideal way for a child/beginner to learn the basic tricks if they are having trouble learning how to use juggling balls. This is because the scarves float smoothly in the air and you have more time to get your hands in the right place to catch them (and you can catch any part of the scarf)! Simple tricks include blowing the scarf up in the air, letting the scarf fall gently on your head!
shaker cups – Mixing cups are also called nested cups as they are cups that are designed in such a way that they can be trapped (nested) one inside the other. They are designed in such a way that they do not stick or get stuck to each other when caught, so the inner cup is ready to be released again. This is possibly the loudest prop in a jugglers gig bag as they are made of metal and make a huge noise when they collide with each other!
speed cups (aka Flashcups) – 12 brightly colored cups that can be stacked in a variety of different patterns and sequences. There are Sport Stacking competitions where people compete against the clock or against another person. The patterns are usually with pyramids of 3, 6 or 10 cups.
spinning toothbrush – With a devilstick rubber/silicone rod, you can hang the toothbrush on the rod and rotate it. You can use multiple toothbrushes on one stick and have one stick in each hand. A fantastic and extremely silly activity that is a great warm-up at the start of a Circus Skills workshop. The best is a toothbrush with an angled head! The toothbrush can also be rotated on your finger, but it’s best to wet your finger and toothbrush first to give it a little more grip!
unicycle – It looks like a bicycle but with only one wheel and no handlebars! Chances are the interruption if you’re riding a unicycle will be “where’s the other wheel?”. You can always answer “it’s backordered” unless you’re tired of those puns!
Walking/balancing ladder – An extra wide ladder where you can keep your balance and then learn to walk on the floor by moving the feet of the ladder (one step at a time)! You can also balance on the top rung (one leg on each side of the ladder) and start juggling as you walk.
walking balloon – Large ball on which a performer balances. Various gymnastics and juggling tricks can be performed while the ball is kept in motion. You have to walk backwards to roll the ball forward!
Yo-yo – Pocket toy consisting of a rope tied to a flat spool. The spool moves up and down the string, allowing you to try various well-known tricks, such as “dog walking” and “cat cradling.” The yo-yo has been around since the time of the ancient Greeks.