New and Looking for some tips!

[kevinQ]

Hey im relitively new to the sport and just had a couple of questions.

1) I just bought a mr. sandman, and a pretty decent 8 panel. The mr. sandman feels alot better for freeystling and just shreding around, maybe its just cause the 8 panel isnt worked in but do you have any suggestions which to use in which situations?

2) Im using some sorta skate shoes, and I was wondering how much of a differance grabbing some lavers or 520's is really gonna make?

3) It seems ive got my clipper stall pretty well down, still working on the flip side, but it seems that it really wants to stall further back by my ankle, and when i stall it near the sole in kinda ramps off my foot when i go to stall it, is this proper?

4) between evey stall i seem to jump on my left leg, and land the bag on my right (EA if im doing a right foot toe stall) and every time i do a new trick thats a stall i have to jump to kinda get the rytham going, (like 3 cm on the left foot). And inbetween kicks my foot wants to touch the ground for a second, especailly for inside kicks, is this right?

I know thats a mouth full but thanks alot guys, really appreciate any help
peace and happy shredding

[mosher]

Hey im relitively new to the sport and just had a couple of questions.

1) I just bought a mr. sandman, and a pretty decent 8 panel. The mr. sandman feels alot better for freeystling and just shreding around, maybe its just cause the 8 panel isnt worked in but do you have any suggestions which to use in which situations?

2) Im using some sorta skate shoes, and I was wondering how much of a differance grabbing some lavers or 520's is really gonna make?

3) It seems ive got my clipper stall pretty well down, still working on the flip side, but it seems that it really wants to stall further back by my ankle, and when i stall it near the sole in kinda ramps off my foot when i go to stall it, is this proper?

4) between evey stall i seem to jump on my left leg, and land the bag on my right (EA if im doing a right foot toe stall) and every time i do a new trick thats a stall i have to jump to kinda get the rytham going, (like 3 cm on the left foot). And inbetween kicks my foot wants to touch the ground for a second, especailly for inside kicks, is this right?

I know thats a mouth full but thanks alot guys, really appreciate any help
peace and happy shredding

Heh, I will try to cover everything.

1) The Mr. Sandbag is the most popular bag in freestyle other than handmade 32 panel bags, it is widely considered the best sandbag.

2) Making the step up to good shoes really does make a big difference. The angles are alot better and the weight and feel can't be beat. I promise it will really be worth it.

3) Really work on developing one consistent technique and apply it to both sides, it is important to even out your sides. The begining is the easiest time to start being both sided!

4) In regards to planting your feet between each trick or kick there is no right or wrong way to do things.

Lots of tricks have multiple versions of themselves where the only difference is whether you plant or not. It can change the dynamic of a trick alot.

You will find that different tricks have different patterns of planting and foot tapping and fiddling around with different footwork will help make tricks easier to hit.

I hope this covers all your questions.

[Colin]

Mosher's answers were really good - listen to them! I'd just like to add a word about #4. It seems you have 'the bounce' - there is definately nothing wrong with that. From that, I'm going to guess that you're playing primarily on your toes, and that your heels barely touch the ground?

Anyways, I think that 'the bounce' is the styliest thing in freestyle. A few of players who have the biggest bounce are Chris Pinkus, Ryan Mulroney, and Johnny Murphy. I'll have a look later (when I'm home) to see if I can find some footage of any of them (or other bouncy players) that's still online.

[mosher]

My heels almost never touch the ground when I play, even during toe-shuffle!

I just got up and played a bit to make sure I wasn't remembering wrong, yes, I bounce around on my toes when I play.

It makes your calfs look all crazy!!

Yeah, being bouncy isn't bad, it might mean you are already feeling pretty confident and you are getting into a good rhythm when you play.

Everyone plays with a different pace, I find. Also, some players play more flat footed. It all sorta comes together to make up everyone's unique style.

[sniikeri]

It makes your calfs look all crazy!!

Don't they look so sporty and sexy?

1) When you feel comfortable to go to the next level in tricks' hardness, try a 32-panel, pellet filled bags. Prefer quality over the cheapest one. First read other players' thoughts and comments of the bags. When you go tiltless get a 32 (also important to learn how to play with both, sand and pellet filled bags. This way it's easier to step into any circle).

2) Like Tom said, the shoes really make a difference. In my experience the skate shoes are thicker and heavier than the most usual shoes.

What comes to the Qs number 3 and 4, I think Tom said all that there was to say.
(In toe game my heels don't touch the ground, in clip game yes.)

EDIT:

Thanks for all tips guys I really appreciated
now im gonna go threaten the footlocker people with their lives to sell me some addidas rod lavers... wish me luck!

Good luck, hope you'll get 'em!

[kevinQ]

Thanks for all tips guys I really appreciated
now im gonna go threaten the footlocker people with their lives to sell me some addidas rod lavers... wish me luck!

[Muffinman]

My best advice is: EVERYTHING BOTH SIDES
After that, go get Lavers (www.worldfootbag.org -- if your footlocker doesn't order for you...mine didn't...), some short shorts, and you're all set.


Go look up 2 add move demos ( www.monsterhack.com , www.hackrifice.com ) and skool the heck out of them BOTH SIDES. Make sure you can do all the basic kicks (toe, inside, outside) evenly and have good control of the bag.

[BainbridgeShred]

Where do you live Kevin? Chances are their are some freestylers kicking in your area. If this is the case, you should hook up with them, as learning off other people increases your progression level beyond measurement.

[crazydwarf]

I don't know too much about the different styles but everyone always tells me to play with the "bounce" so it must be pretty commen.