Either when the flash is in time with the pattern rate or when the flash is faster than the pattern rate, the rhythm is steady. Pace Pace is probably the most illusive of the five levels of analysis. Many beginning jugglers get pace and speed crossed and find learning tricks with larger numbers more difficult than need be. With three, four or even five balls, a fast pace is not crucial, but it is very desirable. With six or more balls, a fast pace is a necessity.
Pace is determined by how long the prop stays in the hand.
Thus, the juggler wants to minimize the time that the ball rests in the hand and maximize the time that the hand remains empty. When working on placement, one is actually working on the body position since it is the body which influences the arc of the ball. At this point in the hierarchy, subtle variances in the overall pattern position should be analyzed. Varying the speed of a trick without changing the pace, simply dictates that the height of each throw be either raised or lowered. The most comfortable speed for a given trick should be determined by the individual juggler.