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Asynchronous to synchronous transitions

Siteswap shows the throws in a juggling pattern, but ignores the catches. If you make the right throws, the catches look after themselves. This makes it easier to read siteswap, but difficult to work out how to link asynchronous and synchronous patterns.

In asynchronous patterns like 534, on each beat one hand throws and the other hand catches. Using a hyphen to show the catches this pattern becomes: (5,-)(-,3)(4,-)(-,5)(3,-)(-,4).

In synchronous patterns like (6x,4)(4,2x)(4,6x)(2x,4), both hands throw on one beat and catch on the next one. So this pattern becomes: (6x,4)(-,-)(4,2x)(-,-)(4,6x)(-,-)(2x,4)(-,-).

Remember, to check a siteswap, for each throw write that number under the next throw that can be made with the same ball. There should be one number under each throw in the pattern. Here's the check for 534.


Here's the check for (6x,4)(4,2x)(4,6x)(2x,4):

To switch from an asynchronous pattern to a synchronous pattern, you hold a ball for an extra beat so you can throw two balls at once. This hold is a 1 fountain throw, written 1x. It is 'thrown' and 'caught' by the same hand on the same beat. It’s a shorter hold than a 2, which is 'thrown' on one beat and 'caught' on the next beat, but it increases the normal 'dwell time' between a catch and a throw.

Suppose you are juggling 534 and want to switch to (6x,4)(4,2x)(4,6x)(2x,4). First assume you can switch straight from 534 to (6x,4)(4,2x)(4,6x)(2x,4):

There is a clash. The check for the left hand 5 is under a hyphen and there is no number under the 4, the right hand throw in the next bracket. This throw is six beats after the left hand throw, so you can change the left hand 5 to a 6x. Note the 6x throw in an asynchronous pattern:

Suppose you want to switch from juggling an asynchronous to a synchronous four ball fountain. First assume that you can switch straight from 4 into (4,4):
In this case the check for the second right hand 4 is under a hyphen and there is no number under the 4, the right hand throw in the next bracket. This throw is five beats after the right hand throw, so you can change the right hand 4 to a 5x. It’s written 5x to show that it’s a fountain throw.

To switch from a synchronous to an asynchronous pattern, on one beat you throw only one ball and hold the other. Once again you 'throw' a 1x.

Suppose you want to switch from juggling (6x,4)(4,2x)(4,6x)(2x,4) to 534. First assume that you can:

In this case the check for the right hand 2x is under a hyphen and there is no number under the 4, the left hand throw in the next bracket. This throw is three beats after the right hand throw, so you can change the right hand 2x to a 3. Note the 3 in a synchronous pattern:
Note that this is the same as reading the checking line for the switch from 534 to (6x,4)(4,2x)(4,6x)(2x,4) from right to left.

Suppose you want to switch from juggling a synchronous to an asynchronous four ball fountain. First assume that you can switch straight from (4,4) into 4:

In this case the check for the second right hand 4 is under a hyphen and there is no number under the 4, the right hand throw in the next bracket. This hyphen is five beats after the right hand throw, so you can change the right hand 4 to a 5x:

Note that this is the same as reading the checking line for the switch from the asynchronous to the synchronous fountain from right to left.

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