Staying Creative

professor · Post by **professor** » 02 Jun 2005 22:43

I know I've seen a topic like this once and I searched for it, but I couldn't find it so I'll make a new one.

How do you guys stay creative while shredding? Like in the middle of your runs how do you mix it up?

It's hard for me to do totally different things in my runs. I usually think of a "theme" for that run and do those few types of tricks, but how do you mix all of the tricks you know together in your strings.

The reason I made this, is because I just watched some video of myself at our Saturday sessions and I realized I do the same tricks over and over. It gets quite boring to watch.

So, how do you guys stay creative?

C-Fan · Post by **C-Fan** » 02 Jun 2005 23:23

My strings sometimes get repetitive too. One thing that helps me, is I imagine that everybody watching me is naked. Actually, that tip also works well when I`m speaking in public. I also use this technique when others speak in public, or when other people are shredding. I also use it occasionally for no reason, just to hone my ability to do so. Sometimes, I even imagine everybody is naked, even if there is nobody around.

professor · Post by **professor** » 02 Jun 2005 23:27

C-Fan wrote:I imagine that everybody watching me is naked. Actually, that tip also works well when I`m speaking in public. I also use this technique when others speak in public, or when other people are shredding. I also use it occasionally for no reason, just to hone my ability to do so. Sometimes, I even imagine everybody is naked, even if there is nobody around.

To quote Buzz Lightyear from Toy Story...

"You're one sad, strange little man."

mosher · Post by **mosher** » 03 Jun 2005 02:35

I tend to also get in repetitive ruts.

I often wind up doing themed strings with things like.. a whirl on one side, a paradox whirl on the other side and so on. I like to do the general concept evenly between sides.

When I am not shredding I look to the other players to remind me of concepts I haven't been using yet/much that day. Also, when I don't have the bag I think alot about the general kind of things I am hoping to hit in my next round with the bag.

Sometimes in a string my theme is 'as much variety as possible' and I try to use as many different concepts as I can, that really mixes things up.

ooh, and i like to do a number of minor trick variations like dim/park, schmoe/stepping leg just to keep things mixed.

peanutbuterboy · Post by **peanutbuterboy** » 03 Jun 2005 05:47

I just think of something I havent done in a while and just throw it in somewhere.

Also...arent you supposed to think of the people watching you naked and not your self?

slapdash21 · Post by **slapdash21** » 03 Jun 2005 11:07

all you have to do is memorize all the tricks you can do, and do them in one string in alphabetical order, and you will be all set. a lot more efficient too

but yeah...i do the theme strings too. all i can do to help myself is plan it out as best as possible beforehand.

zachatree · Post by **zachatree** » 03 Jun 2005 11:39

some are creative right away, or for some ppl they are very creative, then there are ppl who are like me an cant think of more then a few things to do an lock up when im around other good shreders, or if to much is going on around me. but when im alone an or with 1 to 5 ppl i can really put on a good show.

professor · Post by **professor** » 03 Jun 2005 17:50

Thanks for the tips guys, we'll see how I do tomorrow at our club's Saturday shred. I'll try and use all your ideas...except the naked one.

FootbagginBum · Post by **FootbagginBum** » 05 Jul 2005 15:41

here's the biggest tip for all of you (and I think it's so funny that I'm the one answering this since he could have just asked me in person, but I guess the rest of you need the tip too)

Our minds will always work in terms of habit, so habitual tricks will appear the most. Spend time taking very unique elements with jobs similarities and work those combos back and forth til they're habit (for example, [very difficult example chosen so it can be most useful] if you do a lot of downtime spinny ducky style like Ben, but can shuffle, think of a unique way to transition thats very hard, e.g. pdx blender> stepping pickup) and then use those trasitional combos to move between the styles. The second you see yourself shuffle you'll be like "ooh, shuffle combos" and then do a few of those and bust a combo that takes you back to the first style. If you can think of a certain trick that has both types of elements (so shuffle plus styley we can say something like alpine crispy torque), this is a good way to move back, and if the bag is still up at that point, move through symposiums and different sets that are hard til the end of the run. You'll get props for sure (even if they're from yourself

)

Peace,
Bum