Cuphead 2.0 Club

This model of club is sold individually. Balls not included although visible on certain media on this page, they are only there as an illustration of the practice.

The Cuphead club is optimized for use with 80mm balls. The club works perfectly with any 80mm ball (or smaller balls) such as stage balls, Hybrid balls, Russian balls etc. We recommend using Russian ball type balls which will provide the best results. Balls with a diameter closer to 80mm will have a greater visual impact because the cup hides part of the balls.

65% of the ball is visible when placed in the cup. The visible part of the ball has been optimized as much as possible while making it easier to catch the ball. The shape of the cup allows the audience to clearly see the ball and see them as two separate objects, even when the ball is in the cup.

Video of Jay Gilligan with the Cuphead club:

Find the series of video tutorials on the Cuphead club to learn how to use this very specific club. The tutorial series is made by Jay Gilligan.

The club has been designed so that it can easily stand on the end of the cup as well as the bottom of the handle which has been molded with a flat rim.

The club can also be used as a support for a ball due to a slight recess in the bottom tip.

A specially textured surface on the body of the club makes it easier to grip when you hold it by the body or other than the handle.

A contrasting smooth finish on the inside of the cup and likewise on the recess of the bottom tip in order to obtain a better fit for catching balls.

Discreet embossed logos from ND Juggling and Fourth Shape (Jay Gilligan's accessory design company) to celebrate their collaboration on the design of this club.

High-density plastic provides exceptional durability compared to the plastic used on standard one-piece clubs.

You will always be able to put a tape or a grip on the handle for a visual effect of separation between the body and the handle of the club (not included with the club).

Start of an experimental club project:

Out of the blue, Tom Kidwell (from Renegade Juggling) contacted Jay and Erik a few months later and asked if they had any ideas for new juggling props that Renegade Juggling could make. As a result, RenegadeDesignLab (RDL) was formed. This new brand included founding members Jay, Tom, Erik and Luke Wilson. This project has created all kinds of cool new props and juggling shapes, but mostly in the prototype phase.

Many were from the original drawings that Erik and Jay brought when they first met in 2006. Tom also came up with many great drawings. One of them is what we called the "Cuphead" club. Tom took his original Fathead Renegade club (inspired by the Mongandors), cut the top off, turned it inside out and tied it back on. This Cuphead design has created a place to catch a ball on the body side of the club. Renegade's original Cuphead clubs were perhaps the RDL project's most successful creation.

Ever since Tom Kidwell hand-built the first set in 2008, Jay always wanted a properly machined version that he could perform his best tricks with. The juggling tricks that Jay invented with this new type of juggling club began to require precision and a more durable club.

Creation and birth of the Cuphead 2.0 club:

In 2012, Jay first sought to make a real Cuphead mold supported by juggler and engineer Will Oltman. Will and Jay have been working on sketches and 3D models to make the latest Cuphead design since late 2021, which Drew Aslesen then made into physical prototypes.

Drew and Jay went through several iterations, using 3D printing to test each new modification. The next step was to refine the shape of the cup to fit a ball perfectly. There is a delicate balance between the visibility of the ball in the cup and the ease with which it would be possible to catch it. Now in its final stages, this collaboration has been joined by Niels Duinker , who has used his experience in producing his bottle club to convert all of this R&D into the new Cuphead club. It is now on sale here at NetJuggler :-)