So.

Julius - 2015-01-16 15:34:56 UTC - Parent #

Can you already balance a club on your forhead/chin/nose?
I started to learn both headbouncing and balancing at the same time and I think they help each other a lot. Balancing is quite a bit easier which makes it a good drill for headbouncing.

Are you aware of https://youtu.be/Fh7fx8chZdY?

If you're having a hard time holding the bounce for more than one or two bounces I suggest to try something easy and fun for the start, for example: juggle two objects + your kickball in a 3-cascade and then occasionally throw the kickball to a singular headbounce that goes right back to the pattern. I found it fun to do this with two clubs and then also bounce the ball on one of my clubs or back and forth between the two clubs, then occasionally to the head etc etc.
There's loads of other stuff that you can do with your new bouncy prop that's not headbouncing but will give you a feel for it and will make learning to headbounce less scary.

Be aware that headbouncing can be very stressful for your neck so practice moderately and try to relax your neck in between the sets.

I could also write some stuff about juggling+headbouncing but as you said you just started with headbouncing, so I guess youre not at that point yet and my message is already quite long.

Headbouncing is lots of fun! If my neck would allow me I would do it all day long, it's so meditating.. bomm bomm bomm bomm bomm...

Orinoco - 2015-01-16 18:38:23 UTC - Parent #

If your neck is aching you are probably using too heavy a ball &/or (more likely) using your neck to apply the force to the ball. Ideally you should use your knees to bob your whole body although a lot of people compress & extend their spine (eg take a plastic ruler, stand it on end on a desk, push down & release). I try to do the former but end up doing the latter.

Julius - 2015-01-17 21:12:00 UTC - Parent #

I think my technique is alright, I learned headbouncing using my knees. I can also headbounce while sitting, the motion I use there I would say comes from my chest.
To headbounce you have to tilt your head very far back and I think that's the reason why it's stressful (for me at least). Have you ever participated in a club balancing endurance?
Plus: the weight of the ball - even though I use a very light one that has a good bounce.
(Note that the bouncyness of the ball also comes into play: you still have to apply much force to a light ball if it doesn't bounce very well; try headbouncing a russian ball!)

Little Paul - 2015-01-17 09:22:20 UTC - Parent #

If you're only just learning a face ballance, don't start with a club. Start with something longer like a broom handle. Long objects are much easier to balance fan short objects.

The usual recommended approach is tho use a broom handle, then when the balance is solid, cut an inch off it and re-learn until that's solid. If you keep going like that, by the time you get to something the length of a club it'll be nice and consistent. If you keep going, you'll get to something the length of a teaspoon, and that's a lovely trick in itself!