Gladiator (also known as Combat Juggling) is a favorite game of many Juggling Club and Convention 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 (meaning you’ve won a round). This game is most commonly played with each person juggling 3 sticks, but can be adapted for any prop 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 wins a point for their team.
The game begins using the “Call of the Gladiator”. This is when everyone playing starts banging on their props and once it turns into a synchronized sound, everyone is ready and you can start juggling. The idea is to use any means necessary to keep juggling while trying to stop your opponents from juggling (with no damage to you or your opponents). The last person to juggle is the winner, and then you start all over again! This game can go on for hours, as people come and go as they please. Most rounds are only a few minutes long, so you never have to wait too long until you can have a game! It’s also a great way to improve your juggling skills.
When you are out (for example, you dropped something), you are expected to pick up your items (if possible without ruining the game) and leave the area so 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 just do helixes (this is where the devil constantly spins around a single stick) or you can play with both handsticks. You may be asked to change the direction the propeller is going or change hands, so you have to practice all 4 skills!
Gladiator friends: Gladiators with shared waterfall. The normal procedure is to put your free arm around your partner’s shoulder or waist.
Any Gladiators Props: As easy as it sounds. This game suits people with mixed abilities as they can juggle sticks, spin a plate, devil stick or whatever and still participate in the game. Choose your weapon!
Gladiator Balloon Modeling: A balloon animal is made, which has to be able to hold a toothpick somewhere. If any part of your balloon animal bursts, then you’re out. The last balloon animal standing was the winner! This can (seem) go on for hours (see photo below). The elbow of the hand holding the balloon animal must remain close to the side of your body.
Gandini Gladiators: A version of gladiatorial where people arrange their clubs to form a hat worn on the head. You have to try and take everyone else’s hat off!
Gladiator Juggling Contact: Contestants hold a 4-ball pyramid and try to knock down 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 balls of contact with your own pyramid (no pushing with your fingers or hand!)
Gladiator Team: Teams of equal number are organized. They all go into battle and when there is only one person left on the battlefield, that team gets a point. You can add a rule that if there are 2 or more people left from a team at the end, the team will get more points. Lots of tactics used in this game and it’s so much fun to watch!
Unicycle Gladiators: The winner is the person who stays on the unicycle the longest while trying to knock others off theirs! I have seen people on giraffe unicycles (6ft) win against their much shorter opponents!
Disadvantaged Gladiators: You can insist that people jump all the time while playing this game, or that they have to constantly juggle a certain pattern (like windmill clutter)! You can handicap 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’re very adept at leveling the playing field .
Unicorn Gladiators: You need a Kendama (ball and spike attachment) for this one. The Kendama is worn so that the tip points towards the forehead. This involved competitors tilting their heads back slightly, making it difficult for them to see their opponents! This game was presented 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 your way for a few rounds, you’ll soon be the target! Sometimes it’s best to get in the middle of the fight and look busy, but avoid getting close to the best players in the hope that they will be eliminated from the game!
