Token's Footblog

TokenHippie · Post by **TokenHippie** » 10 May 2011 19:16

Ok this is the start of my actual footblog, I'll be posting my progress here as I develop my skills and tricks. Today was my first session with other people at Washington square park with Matt Cross and Ben Cooke. It went very well, I landed moves that I had trouble with last weekend like clipper, mirage and leg over. Started kicking again 2 weeks ago, got my lavers last week and signed up on modified about 4 days ago. I'm having a blast in the world of footbag now that I'm seriously back into it. I look forward to kicking with the nyfa real soon. 56 days till I leave for basic training in Great Lakes for the US Navy. 8 weeks of no footbag but afterward I'm looking to join up with CIC. Trying to get an early start tomorrow so I can drill mirage, leg over, inside, toe and clipper stalls. Absolutely loving this site so far, footbag is incredible

mc · Post by mc » 11 May 2011 13:05

hey dude, nice playing with you the other day. You did great, and the next one's going to be even better!

Here's some things to work on.

20 alternating toe stalls, hopping in to each stall and planting between each one.

20 same side toe stalls, both feet, with hopping.

same for inside stalls.

100 kicks using toes, insides, outsides, and knees. Breath comfortably, stay relaxed, and try to regain control after you do a wild kick that gets away from you a little bit.

consecutive mirages, both sides.

Same side mirages, both sides. This means that you set, and then do the dexterity with the same leg, instead of with the opposite leg, like you have been doing.

Legover, both sides.

Consecutive legovers, both sides.

inside stall > wrap to clipper while bending support leg > wrap back to inside while bending support leg. repeat. both sides.

clipper, both sides.

That should be enough to keep you busy for the next 2 days before the saturday session

here is your bag.

see you soon. Glad to have you as part of the club.

TokenHippie · Post by **TokenHippie** » 11 May 2011 14:07

Awesome man, that's a great set of drills for me to practice. Very informative. The bag looks sweet too, you've got quite the talent. Can't wait to get back out to the park

TokenHippie · Post by **TokenHippie** » 12 May 2011 13:32

Had a 3 hr solo session today, it went alright. There was so much I wanted to drill at first but afterward I decided to take it slow so that I'm mastering my moves fully. Did toe stalls both sides, ATW both sides (going both ways), mirage going off my right toe, a couple inside stalls, and a couple legovers.

Positive- My kicks are getting better, now I incorporate outside kicks for both legs which I usually never do. Toe stall on both legs are better, and they are good alternating as well. My ATW is getting pretty good on both sides (never did ATW much with left leg and I can now

) I hit a few clean mirages off my right toe

Needs work- I have got to tighten up on my inside stalls and work on clipper form and execution. Flipside mirage was frustrating so I have to work on hitting it as well as I do on my right. Need to start doing knee kicks. Legover needs so much work but that can wait till Saturday. Didn't attempt any same side mirages

Goals- Tomorrow I'll drill more kicks, toe stalls, ATW, and put some emphasis on inside stalls and clipper form/execution. Probably do some insides (wrapping to clipper) and attempt clippers later tonight... I wanna hit clipper so bad but like a wise man once said "Patience is a virtue".

mc · Post by mc » 12 May 2011 15:37

props on the hard work. I'm looking forward to seeing your progress on saturday. Definitely work those basics - you have good crank and big windows, so you'll have no trouble building an awesome style if you work your fundamentals.

TokenHippie · Post by **TokenHippie** » 14 May 2011 17:00

Pretty great session today with nyfa, got a lot of incredible work done. Those guys can really rip it up and they taught me ways to tighten up my form and control. Also bought a very nice bag from Matt Cross. If you're thinking about getting a great bag that's durable and kickable then his bags are the way to go.

Positive- Kicks are more controlled, hit some very nice consecutive mirages both sides. Hit a few legovers and pickups and a couple clippers on my right foot. I learned very key concepts on keeping the bag close to me and the “magic hop”. I also like how well I am progressing.

Needs work- I have to keep drilling inside stalls on both sides (left especially) and clipper both sides (emphasis on left

) I have to also keep practicing mirages, legovers, and pickups all both sides. I also want to get those 3 consecutively and do work on controlling the bag better. Practice makes perfect.

Goals- Either tomorrow or monday I want to drill inside stalls, clippers, and dexes while incorporating the magic hop. I'll still do kicks in addition but everything else I'll do in priority because I want to get them stronger.

P.S.- I get a bit over enthused and haven't played with others too much to remember not to hold the footbag too long

Lesson for next time

TokenHippie · Post by **TokenHippie** » 16 May 2011 15:44

Nothing too much to say today, my brother forced me to go play in the muggy weather and I got a small session in. I finally have down the concept of legovers down cuz I've been thinking about it constantly

I hit quite a few legovers both sides and even went from legover to mirage a couple times. My new mc bag is so amazing, as wet as it got it still plays so well (that's the durability I need). Can't wait for 2morro so I can have a fairly longer session.

P.S.- MC bags are the shizz, honestly. Just might invest in another one if I can scrape together the dough. That's all for today

PPS- Almost forgot! I did well on insides b2b and some wrap arounds on my left. I'm coming for you clipper

TokenHippie · Post by **TokenHippie** » 19 May 2011 17:48

Kicked for a couple hrs today at Washington Square Park, legovers are coming along, drew suggested I start on illusions (probably this weekend) I'm hitting mirage on my flipside, and I hit a few clean clippers on my right leg

. Now I just have to start hitting them lefty.

Not much more to report, I have to study for finals this weekend but I should still get some decent playing time in, we'll see what happens. My MC bag could use some more breaking in so I'll reward study time with shredding tomorrow.

Hitting clean clippers is an awesome feeling

TokenHippie · Post by **TokenHippie** » 22 May 2011 07:52

Yesterday was awesome, kicked with nyfa and got consecutive clippers on my right leg and a couple on my left. The highlight of the day was that I hit butterfly starting from a right toe stall, legover with my left leg (obviously) and clipper

very awesome, my first ever 3 add moves!

Goals: Clipper practice, lots and lots of clipper practice for left and right.

Positive: I'm coming along very well, 40 something days till I leave for basic training. I think I'll have some sick moves in my arsenal by then.

F[uns]tylin' Eclectic · Post by **F[uns]tylin' Eclectic** » 26 May 2011 19:59

YEO DEUDE! Great progress in a short amount of time! You gonna be at NYFA Jam?

TokenHippie · Post by **TokenHippie** » 27 May 2011 07:47

Sadly I'll be on vacation

I'm back for the last half of June and early July

TokenHippie · Post by **TokenHippie** » 29 May 2011 19:47

OK haven't posted in a good while but here's a huge update on whats been happening. Kicked Tuesday and worked on clipper and polished my inside stalls. From Tuesday night through Thursday night I was ridiculously drunk to celebrate the end of school

Friday came a serious hangover

Kicked Saturday but I was getting really frustrated so I took yet another day off.

For those of you reading and keeping track, that's about 4 solid days of no serious practice which I consider unacceptable so I decided to cut the crap today and boy I did. Played for hrs today first schooling mirages both sides and just kicking around with an old friend. Worked on clippers later on. At first I was getting really pissed off at not hitting them but then I had an A-HA moment. I started to focus on the mechanics of my clippers and then I found my sweet spot.

Positive- Hit multiple clippers and even a couple b2b. I hit a lot of butterfly's on my right side and even a few on my left side. Mirages are getting cleaner and more comfortable both sides.

Needs Work- More clippers b2b and consecutive ones on individual legs. I can only do legover if I jump of my support leg then do the dex. I want to start doing it the right way with a set up then dex.

Goals- Tomorrow more clipper work and I'll probably throw some mirage work and legover work in there as well.

PS- So happy I finally understand my unique kicking style, I saw it with my clippers and the very clean mirages I did today. Very proud of my progress.

TokenHippie · Post by **TokenHippie** » 31 May 2011 07:52

Yesterday I had another good practice, Finally started doing legover the real way did them b2b quite well. Worked on clippers some more and my left leg is getting stronger at them. Tried to go for b2b 4x but only got 3 (meh). Also started linking tricks together so I'm on my way slowly but surely.

Positive- Hitting clippers better and better each day, now its becoming more instinctive to me, legover is finally not giving me the trouble it did when I first attempted it. I can literally see my progress

Needs work- I have to keep polishing everything I know:

Mirage
Clipper
Legover
Butterfly
ATW

Goals- Practice Practice Practice, I cant say it enough

P.S.- I have to start stretching and thinking of good warmup techniques because I play like crap when I'm not warmed up

F[uns]tylin' Eclectic · Post by **F[uns]tylin' Eclectic** » 31 May 2011 12:20

TokenHippie wrote: I can only do legover if I jump of my support leg then do the dex. I want to start doing it the right way with a set up then dex.

That's not necessarily the "wrong" way of doing legovers. That's just a different method of hitting them. You should learn them both ways, though, in my opinion. The way you're doing it is called "symple" or "quick switch" style. Master that style of legover and you'll be hitting Mixers (AKA Double Legover) and Double Switchovers like a champ when you're ready for them (In fact, when you get good at symple legover, you'll piss yourself when you see how easy Mixer will be for you). The regular way will help you with tricks like Magellan (Pixie ss Legover) & Pixie op Legover and a lot of other Legovering tricks.

I enjoy the way you've been including what you've worked on that day, what you need to work on, and what you're goals for next session are. This kind of talk will get you far, man. Bummer we won't be meeting at NYFA Jam. I'm taking a bus to NY for it. If you can change you plans, you should make it a priority to go to NYFA. You'll learn SO much. A first tournament is always extremely inspiring for a new player. Keep up the great method of training.

Edit:

TokenHippie wrote: P.S.- I have to start stretching and thinking of good warmup techniques because I play like crap when I'm not warmed up

This is just what I do, simply a suggestion. No need to follow it exactly or even at all. But it works for me, and I have the same problem, I play like dirt when I'm not properly stretched and my legs cramp up quickly....

Sit on the ground with your leg stretched out and touch your toes: 30 seconds/leg

Butterfly stretch (sit on ground and put the flats of your feet together in front of you, bring them in close to your body and press the insides of your knees with your elbows: 1 minute

Stand up, put your leg behind you, grab your ankle and tug until you feel a nice stretch in your upper thigh: 30 seconds/leg

I also do alternating inside kicks and a bunch of clippers bs before I start playing, as well.

Hope this helps.

TokenHippie · Post by **TokenHippie** » 01 Jun 2011 07:03

Thanks for the awesome advice man I will definitely incorporate those stretching methods

Ive also starting consecutive kicks before and after each session (big help) Really wish I could make it out to the NY JAM but all is not lost cuz it'll be @ weeks weeks of nothing but me and footbag.

Yesterday was a pretty alright practice, got b2b clippers 4x in a row, I can do legover without the jumping very easily now, linking legover and mirages with clippers without stopping in between, and a little bit of butterfly work.

Positive- I'm getting good at making very important practice methods for myself and my consistency to hit tricks is getting better each session. Clippers are getting stronger each day which is also making butterfly easier.

Needs Work- Every trick I know needs polishing so they can be near perfection the next time I kick with other people (which is gonna be like 2 1/2 weeks

)

Goals- Clipper b2b at least 6x
legover>mirage bs 8x
Alternating butterfly's (hopefully)

C-Fan · Post by **C-Fan** » 01 Jun 2011 13:37

It's weird how scientific opinions on stretching seem to change every couple years. Anyway, thought I'd mention this in case it's not obvious but:

If you're going to stretch before playing, you probably want to warm up those muscles before stretching. Stretching a muscle before it's warmed up is usually a bad idea.

In my experience with footbag, stretching before playing does nothing for freestyle, but is a good idea for net. I sometimes stretch after freestyle, but based on my experience and what i've read, stretching before freestyle doesn't help me out.

TokenHippie · Post by **TokenHippie** » 02 Jun 2011 07:51

Yeah I usually stretch before a session if my muscles are really sore and cramped up and I always try to warm up before stretching.

For me personally, anything that gets me looser really helps

TokenHippie · Post by **TokenHippie** » 17 Jun 2011 07:53

Just got back from vacation from Trinidad. It was a very nice and relaxing 2 weeks and I gotta say I got some pretty good footbag practice. The goal I pretty much had was to tighten up on all of the tricks I knew thusfar. Lots of factors that kept me from practicing as much as I wanted to but I still think I made out fine.

Positive- I'm able to set up short runs for myself and my moves have gotten more and more polished and precise. I learned refraction and osis but they just need to be practiced more. Right clipper is beastly and left is getting better. I hit b2b butterfly once.

Needs work- Left clipper, more polishing on all moves. I want to be able to hit them at all times and make my runs longer. 18 days till I leave for basic training so I have to shred my legs off everyday.

Goals- In addition to polishing my current tricks I want to learn:

Swirl

Whirl

Drifter

That would make me a happy Nick

TokenHippie · Post by **TokenHippie** » 28 Jun 2011 14:55

Haven't posted in about a little over a week, things have been good Ive been having pretty much like 2 or more solo sessions lately. Last Saturday I had my last kick session with NYFA (gonna miss those guys). Ive decided since Saturday not to keep attempting higher add moves until my fundamentals are 100% Ive been drilling mirage, legover, clipper, butterfly, atw.

Here are some of my latest highlights:

Strong Side Mirage x 12 / OP Mirage x 17

Legover b2b x 13

Clipper b2b x 6

I think that's all that is note worthy for right now. I have a few drills that combine tricks which is great for drilling.

Goals before Basic Training- Have a run of 20 tiltless and be able to hit the tricks I mentioned anywhere from 10 to 20 times on command (small exception for butterfly b2b. If I can hit 5 or more I"ll be happy but we'll see what happens)

P.S.- I can hit paradox mirage strong side

hoping to get that better and hit it left side also

TokenHippie · Post by **TokenHippie** » 29 Jun 2011 17:47

Today was supposed to be a rest day but for all those addicted to footbag you know how that goes. I still screwed around a little throughout the day setting up little runs for myself and very short drilling.

My bear bag should be coming tomorrow and I feel like I'm up for a good day of solo shred

More tommorow