“Ball Loading Techniques” refer to the sleight-of-hand methods and strategies magicians use to secretly load balls into cups during the performance of the Cups and Balls routine. These ball loading techniques are fundamental to the Cups and Balls illusion, enabling effects such as the magical appearance, disappearance, or transposition of balls under the cups. The success of ball loading techniques relies heavily on precise timing, misdirection, and audience management. Ball loading methods include palming the ball (concealing it in the hand), finger-palm or classic palm grips, and transferring the ball into position while manipulating the cups and magic wand. A magician might lift a cup with one hand while secretly releasing a concealed ball underneath with the other. Techniques like the “Galloping Post” move involve stacking or moving cups in a way that simultaneously loads a ball without detection. These methods are often combined with wand gestures or verbal distractions to divert attention from the loading action. Mastery of ball loading is essential for creating seamless illusions and building up to dramatic finales, such as producing unexpectedly large objects under the cups such as lemons.