Multiplexes in Club Passing

Introduction

A multiplex is a throw where two or more clubs are thrown at the same time and from the same hand. All of the multiplexes here, with the exception of the triplex, are two clubs thrown at the same time to another passer. There are variations on the multiplex where two clubs are thrown but one returns to the thrower and the other goes to the receiver but those will not be covered here.

The Grips

For the majority of mulitplexes there are only two types of grips: the circus and the European.

Circus Grip European Grip

The circus grip has the inside club handle under the outside club handle.

Overhand Stack
The European grip has the inside club handle over the outside club handle.

Grip Setup

For both grip types there are two methods for setting them up: the hand-across collect and the catch collect. The hand-across is probably the easiest way to start learning because it gives you more time, whereas the catch method is for when you feel comfortable with the whole process.

Hand-Across
For the hand-across, do not pass a club from the right hand and instead of throwing a self-pass with your left hand, shuffle the club across to your right hand, which already has a club. Be sure to place the handle under or over the handle of the club already in your right hand depending on whether you want the underhand stack or the overhand stack. (Video)

Catch
For the catch, do not pass a club from the right hand and catch the next self-pass from the left hand with your right. For the circus grip, allow the club to fall to the right of the club that is already in your hand. For the European grip, allow the club to fall to the left of the club that is already in your hand. For both cases the handle of the incoming club will be lying over the handle of the club that was already in your hand. (Video)

Note: If the clubs lie unevenly you can bump them against your body to align them.

Multiplex Throws

The basic sequence for throwing a multiplex is as follows:

1) Do not pass a club from the right hand.
2) Either hand the club across from the left or catch the self-pass.
3) Throw a self-pass from the left.
4) Throw the multiplex.

The receiver simply continues receiving and passing clubs until his hands are empty and can receive the two incoming clubs.

Circus Grip Multiplex Throws
Using the basic underhand throw you can make any standard pass a multiplex, such as an under-the-leg, behind-the-back, trebla, etc. The circus grip also applies to a reverse spin and over-the-top. Click on the names below for a video of each throw.

Standard Underhand Throw (Single)
Standard Underhand Throw (Double)
Under-the-Leg
Behind-the-Back
Reverse Spin
Over-the-Top -- I prefer to collect for this one with a behind-the-back self-pass because my hand is already where it needs to be for the throw.

European Grip Multiplex Throws
The European grip is for throws that start with a downward movement, such as a chop (tomahawk), french chop, shoulder, Albert. It is also used for a behind-the-back double. Click on the names below for a video of each throw.

Chop (Tomahawk)
French Chop
Shoulder Throw -- There is a trick to this one. As your hand is passing the lowest point you must start twisting your wrist so that your hand turns towards the inside maintaining the clubs parallel with the ground until you release them.
Albert -- This isn't a theoretical throw but it is extremely difficult. The concept is the same as for the shoulder throw. I have only seen this done by one pair of jugglers, Double Trouble, and they performed it flawlessly at the IJA competitions in 1995.
Behind-the-Back Double -- I can't get this one to work consistently but when it does work it flows perfectly.

Miscellaneous Multiplex Throws
These throws fall under miscellaneous because they either don't use the basic grips, involve more than two clubs, are thrown from different hands, etc. Each throw has a video and a description.

Karloplex -- This multiplex was created by Michael Karlovich and therefore bears his name. Although I recently heard it referred to as the butterfly. It is most easily collected by handing a club across and positioning them so that the clubs are facing opposite directions and the handles pointing upwards. Throw it with a slight lift of the hand so that the clubs separate at least a half spin.
Triplex -- Hand the first club across and then the next club as well in European grip and then the third club under them (see photo). Throw the triplex so that the two clubs do doubles and the third does a triple. Be careful that the triple doesn't go too long. To avoid this, step forward slightly and give a push downward as you throw upward.
Jesus -- This is technically not a multiplex and is referred to as simuls by the SJRI (Stanford Juggling Research Institute), because one club is thrown from each hand at the same time, instead of from the same hand. The timing is the same, though. Take the incoming pass with your left hand and tuck it between your legs. Then after receiving the next pass, spread your arms and throw the clubs straight across with single spins.
Jesus On The Cross -- This is the same as the Jesus except that you're going to throw the clubs so that they cross before reaching the other juggler. Watch your face.
Left-handed -- This one is quick. Don't throw a self-pass with the left hand and then catch the next incoming club so that you have a circus grip. Throw it as a double.

Multiplexes in a Feed

These are some of my favorites. To throw multiplexes in a standard feed the feedees have to accomodate the timing so that they work. But once you feel comfortable with it you can create some amazing combinations.

Split Multi (Video)
This is the most basic multiplex for a feed and is thrown by the feeder and it only requires a slight alteration to the pattern. The feeder collects for a multiplex normally and then the throw is directly down the middle so that a club goes to each feedee, to the right hand of one and the left hand of the other. The following pass by the feeder can be to either feedee and this can be predetermined if you do it often or the feedees can react to it, but whichever feedee receives the following pass must pass to the feeder at the same time. This results in that feedee doing a two-count for one beat.

Feedee to Feeder Multi (Video--from behind feeder) (Video--from behind feedee)
For the feedee to be able to throw a multiplex he must create the space for it to fill. This is done by collecting four clubs before throwing the multiplex. So instead of throwing a pass to the feeder he will collect two clubs in his right hand and then wait for the next incoming pass and collect two in his left hand. He will then wait a beat and throw the multiplex with enough loft so that the feedeer has time to get rid of all his clubs before it falls. The feeder just keeps passing until all the clubs are gone and then once he catches the multi, he resumes the pattern. The other feedee will have only two clubs for a moment (do a flourish or something).

Feeder to Feedee Multi (Video)
If the feedeer is going to throw a multiplex to a feedee, the feedee must deal with two incoming clubs when he already has two in his hands. This is solved by catching the incoming clubs, one in each hand. He must then wait a beat before returning the two clubs in his right hand as a multiplex. The sequence then follows that of a Feedee to Feeder Multi (see above).

Combinations
Now that we have the basics for the multiplexes in a feed, we can start combining them into sequences. Listed below are some basic combinations and names shown denote the order of who throws a multiplex. Once you have a grasp for the basic combinations you can keep extending them for as long as you desire or as long as the pattern holds together.

Feedee-Feeder-Feedee -- This one starts just like the Feedee to Feeder Multi but the feeder holds the last club in his right hand instead of passing it and collects half of the incoming multi and throws that multiplex to the other feedee, who then collects a club in each hand and returns a multiplex. The feeder could also return the initial multi to the same feedee.
Feedee-Feedee -- One feedee starts collecting and the very next beat the other feedee starts collecting so that for one moment the feedees have eight clubs and then two multiplexes in a row arrive to the feeder.
Feeder-Feedee-Split -- This follows the same sequence as the Feeder to Feedee Multi but after the feedee returns his multiplex, the feeder catches one of the incoming clubs in the right hand, which already has a club, and returns a Split Multi.
Feedee-Feedee-Feeder-Feedee-Split -- This is just an example of a longer sequence using a mix of the combinations above. Try to follow the order of throws in the video.

Now take the various multiplex throws available to you and combine them with a series of sequences in a feed and you have an impressive display of multiplex madness.

Special thanks to:

Michael Karlovich
Adam Smith
David Kha (video & passing)
Gabriel Gomez (passing)
Marci Petti (video)
Yen Wang (video)

Back to Juggling Page

Circus Grip		European Grip
The circus grip has the inside club handle under the outside club handle.		The European grip has the inside club handle over the outside club handle.

	Split Multi (Video) This is the most basic multiplex for a feed and is thrown by the feeder and it only requires a slight alteration to the pattern. The feeder collects for a multiplex normally and then the throw is directly down the middle so that a club goes to each feedee, to the right hand of one and the left hand of the other. The following pass by the feeder can be to either feedee and this can be predetermined if you do it often or the feedees can react to it, but whichever feedee receives the following pass must pass to the feeder at the same time. This results in that feedee doing a two-count for one beat.
	Feedee to Feeder Multi (Video--from behind feeder) (Video--from behind feedee) For the feedee to be able to throw a multiplex he must create the space for it to fill. This is done by collecting four clubs before throwing the multiplex. So instead of throwing a pass to the feeder he will collect two clubs in his right hand and then wait for the next incoming pass and collect two in his left hand. He will then wait a beat and throw the multiplex with enough loft so that the feedeer has time to get rid of all his clubs before it falls. The feeder just keeps passing until all the clubs are gone and then once he catches the multi, he resumes the pattern. The other feedee will have only two clubs for a moment (do a flourish or something).
	Feeder to Feedee Multi (Video) If the feedeer is going to throw a multiplex to a feedee, the feedee must deal with two incoming clubs when he already has two in his hands. This is solved by catching the incoming clubs, one in each hand. He must then wait a beat before returning the two clubs in his right hand as a multiplex. The sequence then follows that of a Feedee to Feeder Multi (see above).
	Combinations Now that we have the basics for the multiplexes in a feed, we can start combining them into sequences. Listed below are some basic combinations and names shown denote the order of who throws a multiplex. Once you have a grasp for the basic combinations you can keep extending them for as long as you desire or as long as the pattern holds together.