Mills' Mess

Mills mess
Minimum prop #: 3
Difficulty: 5/10,[1] 3.9[2] (note: difficulty ratings are arbitrary and subject to change)
Siteswap: 3
Shannon: 12
Period: 1
Parity: even or odd
Notes: symmetrical, asynchronous

In toss juggling, Mills' Mess is a popular juggling pattern, typically performed with three balls although the props used and the number of objects can be different. The pattern was invented by and named after Steve Mills. It is a well-known trick among jugglers and learning it is considered somewhat of a milestone, "a mind-boggling pattern of circling balls, crossing and uncrossing hands, and unexpected catches."[3]

The base of this pattern is a traditional reverse cascade, (siteswap 3 in siteswap notation), with an extra "mess" added by crossing and uncrossing arms. The effect created is that the balls pursue each other from one side to the other. It is also a windmill pattern which changes direction every three throws.

  1. ^ "Mill's Mess". LibraryofJuggling.com. Retrieved July 8, 2014.
  2. ^ Beever, Ben (2001). "Siteswap Ben's Guide to Juggling Patterns", p.24, JugglingEdge.com. BenBeever.com at the Wayback Machine (archived August 10, 2015). Compared to 3 for the cascade.
  3. ^ Gillson, George. Beyond the Cascade, Cascade Books: Seattle Washington 1990. reviewed by Bill Giduz in Juggler's World: Vol. 42, No. 4