> The fundamental jump from three to five is that you now have things which can collide in the air.
> Juggling three is so basic in comparison -- only one ball is in the air most of the time
This makes no sense. Balls colliding in the air is an incredibly common problem for people learning to juggle 3 balls. You have multiple balls in the air every time you throw any ball.
With three ball, you may have a collision with a ball as it is coming out of your hand. This is an exchange. It really isn't a problem that you have one up in the air and you're hitting it. If that's happening, it's a matter of throwing too soon, not pattern accuracy.
Three ball has a simple exchange on both sides that can be extremely slow. Five ball demands accuracy with respect to the pattern in the air. There is no "pattern" in the air with three ball outside the exchange -- it is a single ball while the hand each hold one as well. Five ball has a minimum of 3 in the air and each ball will have to pass between two others from the other side, requiring accuracy and timing not needed in three ball.
> Juggling three is so basic in comparison -- only one ball is in the air most of the time
This makes no sense. Balls colliding in the air is an incredibly common problem for people learning to juggle 3 balls. You have multiple balls in the air every time you throw any ball.