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Pirouettes
Yes, you will spot the prop in a similar way to spotting in a ballet pirouette. But, rather than think about spotting, think to yourself as you execute the trick "see-it, turn, see-it-again." You will have to see the last prop going up before you start to turn, and then see the first prop coming down after the turn.
The way that I think about all pirouette tricks (180, 360, 540, 720) is to count one more than I am juggling. If I wish to execute a three up pirouette, then I count 1 - 2 - 3 - 4, and I turn on 4, not 3 or 3 and a half. A five up is counted in six etc. This way, the turning action does not interfere with the last throw, a common problem. Make the throws first, then do the stunt.
The key to pirouettes is the pirouette itself. If you wish to learn them, then put down the props and learn them separately. Once one has a clean, and fast pirouette, putting it with the juggling is trivial. Most jugglers try to put it all together too soon and waste time wiping out. The pirouette must be instantaneous. Think of something really fast, and then make it faster than that...
A key tip for fast pirouettes is to place the arch of the trailing foot against the ankle bone of the pivot foot. Most jugglers that I have seen have this big ol' leg dangling out there slowing them down. It's the same principle that skaters use. By bringing in the arms and legs, the spin accelerates. Don't let your leg dangle. Watch the arms and head as well. As with the leg, they need to be inline with the axis of rotation.
If you keep your head neatly stacked on your spine with good, tall posture, you will avoid much of the dizziness. If the head is stuck out, then it slows down the turning and causes the inner ear fluid to cause dizziness. Spotting will help as well.
Make sure that the pivot foot is in on the ball of the foot. Don't try to pivot on your heal.
The biggest thing, is to practice the juggling flash and the turning separately. You can do this by counting the throws and marking the turn and by training the pirouettes without any props.
- Steve
PS. Jugglers are pirouetting wimps. Take a look at dance, ice skating or even baton twirling. I took some twirling lessons from Corey Hart, a nationally competitive three baton champion. In the gym, she juggled three batons, threw one high, and did eight pirouettes before going back into the pattern with three. Truth be know, she kinda fell out of the last one, but technically it was eight! Now, she has some things working to her advantage. A baton is weighted for quick, high throws and easy catches. Also, she did a "one up". None the less, I have failed to see any juggler get beyond three pirouettes, let alone eight. The jugglers who hang with the IJA tend not to be very physical, let alone pursue any formalized dance training. Too bad, because the skill level of many tricks would be raised substantially if there were more interest in other such disciplines.