Magic Red Sponge Balls

 

Magic Red Balls

Watch this first!: https://youtu.be/XtxBnRr0rGk

Instruction originally made to teach children, but will work for you too!

(a) How to conceal the hidden ball: https://youtu.be/PlnXINdCpP8

(b) Making the first ball appear part 1: https://youtu.be/c4lzQAI4hQQ

(c) Advanced handling part 2: https://youtu.be/NdsKQzthYec

 If you prefer text and photos:

 I perform both as a clown and as a comedy close-up magician. The sponge ball routine below is from my working repertoire!

Explanation and thoughts:

Most sponge ball routines start off with a ball concealed in the hand, pocket or sleeve and is therefore ‘forced’ to be the opening act. With the use of a ‘wand’, I can start off showing both hands empty and perform my routine impromptu without any pre-loading. 

2 balls are hidden in my right pocket. The red marker is placed with the 2 balls. Performing for children, I start off my patter mentioning clowns and their red noses. Bringing out the marker into view, I also secretly palm one ball. (Fig 1) 

 

I remark that perhaps I can draw a clown nose on my face with my red marker. "Would you like me to draw a red nose for you too?" That can get some laughs and reaction.

Closing my left hand into a fist, I use the marker to tap on it. See Fig 2. 

I allow the child to do the same. Allowing the child to feel that he/she is involved directly in creating the magic is very key to his/her magic experience and reaction. "Tap please! Not Rap! The marker is not made of soft rubber!" I would sometimes jokingly comment to the child as he taps the marker on my fist.

Place the marker down and bring your right hand over with the right palm over the left Palm, rub both palms, SLOWLY reveal the appearance of the red ball in the LEFT Palm. (Fig 3)

 

 

 

You will want to create the impression of the ball appearing in the left hand, and not in the right hand. (Fig 4)

 

"Let me keep the marker first." As you say this, pick up the marker and put it into your right pocket. Do the classic ditch-and-steal, ditch the marker into the pocket AND also Palm another red ball in the right hand and you are now one-ahead. (Fig 4 and Fig 5)

 

 

You now have another concealed ball in your right hand

 

Thoughts on sponge ball magic: 

At this point, you can add in your own variations. You can put perform the multiplication in the child's hand.

You can perform the “sawing into 2” effect; you can pretend to 'tear' the 'single' ball into 2 and 'regrow' them back into 2 full balls.

You can follow up with the classic transposition effect. My patter goes like this, "here's one ball for me and here's one ball for you". As a performer, when you kneel and lower yourself to the same height as the child, you'll gain a lot of rapport. The ball in my fist would transpose into the child's fist. Always remember to turn the fist downwards, Palm side down to prevent the child from prematurely opening his fist. 

"Wow, you can do magic too!" Empower your spectators, the children loves this.

At the end of the 2 ball routine, if you are only performing for 1 child and his parents, it's very powerful to give 1 of the 2 balls away. You are a magician. You are supposed to make things appear out of thin air. Sponge balls are relatively inexpensive when purchased in bulk. "Thank you for performing the magic with me. One magic red clown nose for me; here's one for you. Have fun and enjoy the rest of the evening!" 

I hope you enjoy my insights and my tips on the use of a 'wand' and I can be contacted at info@captaindazzle.com