Mini-scrambleds is a family of 6 manipulation patterns founded by jugglers in Enschede in 2022. They are related to the scrambled series by Aiden Burns.
You can find a notation and explanation in a more theoretical and more practical version. The theory is fun but by no means required to be able to juggle the pattern.
List of the 6 Mini-Scrambled Patterns:
cA iA (donkey)
cC iB (back-up)
cB iC (tosti / swiss knife)
iA cC (sunny side up)
iB cB (ebay)
iC cA (mini V)
Theory:
The Mini-scrambleds are a result of the experiment to simplify the scrambleds. Whether they actually are easier is debatable but at least they are shorter.
As the scrambleds, the mini-scrambleds are based on a 2-count vs 4-count feed with rotating positions. Opposing to the scrambleds it consists of only two passes before it repeats again (A-B and A-C).
The manipulation consists of a carry and in intercept. Since there are only 2 beats in the mini-scrambleds the substitute that you would find in a scrambled is left out.
Since we can chose the position of the intercept (A,B or C) and it’s beat (1 or 2) there are 6 possible variations for the mini-scrambled. (As with the scrambled the position of the carry is dependent on the intercept.)
The actual juggling:
All mini-scrambleds are 10-club, 4-person patterns with 3 passers and one manipulator.
The manipulation pattern has 8 beats (only the throws from the right hand are counted, so actually 16 throws) until it repeats again. That means you only have to remember 8 steps. Those you can see in the table underneath or in the videos. The shirts of the jugglers is colorcoded, so you can follow the notation easier. Red always starts on position A, blue on B, green on C, and yellow as manipulator.
P: Pass – the color refers to the Juggler the pass goes to
s: Self
c: Carry, this club is brought instead of thrown
pelf: A pass-self that is thrown to the manipulator without spin
-: only catching
-(i): only catching/receiving – This is the intercept
Base Pattern
Base Pattern
The passers are doing a feed in which every juggler passes 2 clubs to one person and then 2 clubs to the other person in 2 count. After that the juggler does a 6-count and walks over to the other side. It is also possible to collect all the clubs for the walking part.
Some passes or the walking will be skipped or feel different when adding a Manipulator to the pattern.
#1 Donkey
#1 Donkey – cA iA
In the pattern ‘Donkey’ all jugglers walk in a circle, so there is no crossing. The Manipulator starts with two clubs and carries the first two juggler A. Than stands next to A and takes over their position.
#2 Tosti
#2 Tosti – cB iC
Video will follow next summer.
#3 Back Up
#3 Back Up – cC iB
In the pattern ‘Back Up’ the manipulation happens on the self-beats. Therefore every juggler has four passes in two count followed by four beats of manipulation. The manipulator walks forward, to the left (quickly) and then backwards again, so every juggler will stay on their side.
For the timing it is important to give the carry half a beat later than the counting (so on 1-and / 3-and / …). Otherwise the person receiving the club is too early for the next pass.
#4 Sunny Side Up
#4 Sunny Side Up – iA cC
‘Sunny Side Up’ is the first pattern we like to teach. Until now it is considered the easiest Mini-scrambled. The jugglers walk in a circle, so there is no crossing. The manipulator starts with one club and receives two passes from the feedees.
#5 Ebay
#5 Ebay – iB cB
In ‘Ebay’ the manipulator needs to turn around quickly after the carry in order to receive a pelf in their back. As you can see in the video turns are possible in different directions.
#6 Mini v
#6 Mini V – iC cA
The Mini V has similarities with the scrambled V. The manipulator does the same as in the scrambled V – carry to the person on the left and receiving a pelf from the person on the right – only leaving out the steal and replace.
In the video there is one pass missing between Johan (red) and Leon (yellow) on beat 3. Evidently the pattern works without this pass but you will find it in the notation.