Gladiator (also known as Combat Juggling) is a favorite game of many Juggling Clubs and Conventions attendees. It’s so much fun to watch, and even more fun to be in the middle of it all.
The goal is to be the last person to juggle (which means you’ve won a round). This game is most commonly played with each person juggling 3 sticks, but can be adapted for any accessory depending on the skills of the people playing. The more people the better! If you have a large number of people, you can play in teams, where the last person left earns a point for their team.
The game begins using the “Call of the Gladiator”. This is when all the players start to play their props together and once it becomes a synchronized sound, everyone is ready and you can start juggling. The idea is to use whatever means necessary to keep juggling while trying to prevent your opponents from juggling (without taking damage to you or your opponents). The last person to juggle is the winner, and then you start over! This game can go on for hours as people come and go as they please. Most rounds last only a few minutes, so you never have to wait too long until you can have a game. It is also a great way to improve your juggling skills.
When you’re out (for example, if you dropped something), you are expected to pick up your items (if possible without ruining the game) and leave the area so that the game can continue without you.
Here are some other versions of Gladiator for you to try:
Devil Stick Propeller Gladiators: To play gladiators with Devil Sticks, in some games you can only do thrusters (this is where the Devil Stick constantly rotates around a single stick) or you can play with both handsticks. You may be asked to change the direction the propeller goes in or to change your hand, so you have to practice all 4 skills!
Friendly Gladiators: Gladiators with shared waterfall. The normal procedure is to place the spare arm around your partner’s shoulder or waist.
Any Gladiators prop: As easy as it sounds. This game suits people of mixed ability as they can juggle sticks, spin a plate, devil stick or whatever and still play the game. Choose your weapon!
Balloon modeling gladiators: It makes a balloon animal, which has to be able to hold a toothpick somewhere on it. If any part of your balloon animal bursts, then you’re out. The last balloon animal standing was the winner! This can (seem) to last for hours (see photo below). The elbow of the hand holding the balloon animal should remain close to the side of its body.
Gandini Gladiators: A version of gladiators where people organize their clubs to form a hat that is worn on the head. You have to try to take the hat off of everyone else!
Contact juggling gladiators: Contestants hold a 4-ball pyramid and attempt to hit at least one ball from other people’s pyramids, until only one person remains. The elbow of the hand holding the pyramid should remain attached to the side of your body, and you should only push someone else’s contact balls with your own pyramid (no pushing with your fingers or hand!)
Team Gladiators: Teams of equal numbers are organized. Everyone goes to battle and when only one person is left on the battlefield, that team gets a point. You can add a rule that if there are 2 or more people left on a team at the end, the team gets more points. There are many tactics used in this game and it is a lot of fun to watch!
Unicycle Gladiators: The winner is the person who stays on the unicycle the longest while trying to knock the others down! I’ve seen people on giraffe (6ft) unicycles win against their much shorter opponents!
Handicap Gladiators: You may insist that people jump the entire time you are playing this game, or that you have to constantly juggle a certain pattern (such as mill clutter). You can harm people by asking them to put a stick between their legs (so now they have to waddle everywhere) and you can also make people hold a stick under each arm if they are very skilled at leveling the field. of game.
Unicorn gladiators: You need a Kendama (Ball and Spike prop) for this one. Kendama is worn so that the tip points from the forehead. This involved the competitors tilting their heads slightly back, making it difficult for them to see their opponents! This game was introduced during the 2011 British Juggling Convention (BJC) in Huddersfield.
Suggestion:
People tend to notice if you stay on the sidelines and avoid conflict, so even if you get away with it for a few rounds, you’ll soon be the target! Sometimes it’s better to get into the fight and appear busy, but avoid approaching the best players in the hope that they will knock each other out of the game!
