Cascade (juggling)
In juggling, a cascade is the simplest pattern achievable with an odd number of props. The simplest cascade is the three-ball cascade. This is therefore the first pattern a juggler learns.
Three-ball cascade
For the three-ball cascade the juggler starts with two balls in one hand and the third ball in his other hand. One ball is thrown from the first hand in an arc to the other hand. Before he catches this ball the juggler must throw the ball in the receiving hand, in a similar arc, to the first hand. The pattern continues in this manner with each hand in turn throwing one ball and catching another.
All balls are caught on the outside of the pattern (on the far left and right) and thrown from closer to the middle of the pattern. The hand moves toward the middle to throw, and back towards the outside to catch the next object. Because the hands must move up and down when throwing and catching, putting this movement together causes the left hand to move in a counterclockwise motion, and the right hand to move in a clockwise motion.
This pattern is achievable with a wide array of props besides regular balls.
Greater numbers of props
When extended to higher numbers of props (five, seven, nine, etc.) the cascade maintains the basic pattern of throwing one prop before catching another on its way down. Higher numbers require the balls to be tossed higher into the air in order to allow more time for a complete cycle of throws. However in order to keep the number of props in the juggler's hands to a minimum it is necessary to begin the pattern by throwing, from alternating hands, all but one prop (In the same hand as the first throw, which started with one more prop than the other.) before any catches are made.