technique: barefoot form tips

calemccoy · Post by **calemccoy** » 12 Dec 2007 01:02

basically, clippers are waaay diffrent barefoot, so almost every move that incorporates it must be slightly different for barefoot. any tips on:

-clipper
-butterfly
-whirl
-drifter
-osis
-stepping
-ducking/diving (sets above waist, basically)...

....barefoot would probably be beneficial. any barefoot players who will contribute? i know its not as common, but it still exhists, and we need tips too.... so shoe players, please tolerate this thread.

mc · Post by mc » 12 Dec 2007 08:41

to make toe stalls easier, curl your toes up a bit. to make clippers easier, catch the bag on your heel, which makes either a flat spot (most people) or a huge bucket that makes the bag undroppable (myself, yves kreil, and... what's his name? from texas? I had a killer barefoot sesh with him at worlds).

no amount of discussing this on the internet is going to help you. lose the shoes and bag it. drill basics.

Post by **Zac Miley** » 12 Dec 2007 13:34

Matt Cross wrote: what's his name? from texas? I had a killer barefoot sesh with him at worlds).

Cody Rushing. That was one of my highlights of Worlds (that circle with you and Cody). Fun fun!

EDIT: If you don't have those crazy pockets that Matt is talking about, it's a good idea to cushion way more than you would in shoes. Stall it behind your ankle. Hold the delay for as long as possible. Watch Cody Rushing play.

morsecode · Post by **morsecode** » 13 Dec 2007 07:37

basically the same rules apply for barefoot clippers as shoe clippers. the main difference, of course, is that the spot your aiming for on your foot is considerably smaller and less forgiving. there's a reason guys like Felix and Vasek can shred barefoot - it's because their clipper form is already so kick ass solid that they can deal with hitting that smaller target no problem.

the main thing, as with all clippers, is using your support leg to do all the stalling. there's a much narrower range of positions your stalling foot can be in in order to successfully clipper barefoot, so it can't be moving up and down to generate the necessary cushion to stall the bag - that's what the support leg is for. if you have already been playing with shoes for a long time, this may require a bit of unlearning and tweaking of your form. i am not sure if all that is clear or not... i've been shredding exclusively barefoot for 2 years and i am still working on this myself, so don't get frustrated.

i'd also say get your inside stalls down first so you know where your sweet spot is. since everyone's feet are different, everyone's sweet spot is different.