Am i going about this the right way?

Bishop · Post by **Bishop** » 24 Jun 2005 00:37

Im starting to learn footbag. A buddy of mine has been playing forever and i figured i would give it a shot. That buddy is Derek Vandall so he knows his stuff. Anyways, after asking around a bit, i was told I should learn the basic kicks and stalls first. Toe kicks, inside kicks, outside kicks, toe stalls, inside stalls and outside stalls. So thats what I've been doing. When I decide to shred (am i allowed to say shred when I cant keep the ball in the air for more than 2 or 3 kicks???) I normally do a few different drills. What I want to know is if these drills are worth my time or if im practicing the wrong stuff.

The first drill I do is practicing consecutive inside kicks. Ill start off by doing one kick and then catching the ball, rinse and repeat, on both side for about 5 kicks. I make sure I keep the ball controlled. If the ball isnt controlled it doesn't count as one of the 5 kicks. Then I procede onto two kicks then catching the ball. I alternate sides when kicking for more than one contact. I do this, starting from both sides, about 5 times. I repeat this whole process until i get to where i cant do it consistantly. Right now thats at 4 kicks. I have hit once 9 kicks in a row, and a few times numbers between 5 and 7, but no where near consistantly. WHat I want from this drill is to be able to get into the hundreds with Inside kicks (alternating). I figure 100 is the threshold where i can confidently control my kicks.

The other drills i do aren't really drills. I just practice outside kicks, toe kicks, toe stalls and inside stalls one at a time. I haven't yet really tried to get more than one of these in a row. I barely control the individual ones i do now, so two in a row seems a stretch.

I can't yet even catch the ball after a toe kick because the flicking action of the ankle eludes me. I either get the ball to go 3 inches into the air off of my foot, or i get it high, but shooting way out infront of me (like it lands 10 feet away from where it started). I can outside kick both sides, inside stall both sides, and toe stall both sides (though my weak side is pretty scetchy).

I would like to learn how to toe kick well, how to outside stall, and anything clipper because i cant yet do that. WHen i try clippers, like i drop the ball onto my flailing foot when im already in the clipper stance, i miss the ball. My foot and the ball are lined up before i drop the ball and then when i go for the kick on the falling ball its a miss.

I guess what im posting for is, are the drills im doing now worth my time. Am i getting better from what im doing or is there something more productive i could be praciticing. Secondly is i need advice on how i can learn the things I can't do yet. The outside stall, the toe kick and anything clipper.

On a final note, Im really starting to like this sport. Even though I've just started and i cant hardly do 1add moves, I enjoy just trying to beat my record of consecutive kicks (currently at 9).

cd · Post by cd » 24 Jun 2005 07:07

Sounds like you're off to a great start. You are definitely working on the right things first... a lot of beginners just want to hit the big moves right away and never learn the basics properly, which they soon learn to be a huge mistake.

I think the hardest part of this sport is learning the very basic kicks and stalls. You're using muscles that you have probably never used before and it will take some time to get them coordinated, but believe me when I say that soon you'll notice that kicking and stalling the bag feels as natural as learning to walk or bounce a basketball. It'll come to you with practice.

The best thing you can do right now is to just play. Join hack circles whenever you can and kick the bag around. Try to break your record for consecutive toe kicks, inside kicks, and stalls every single day. Try flying clippers every once in awhile because they're fun. I'm sure you'll be freestyling in no time.

Colin · Post by **Colin** » 24 Jun 2005 07:35

Derek is one of the best players in Canada, and definately does know his stuff.

I have a few suggestions. First, work this combo till you're dead:

ask Derek what to do > do it > repeat

Second, while it's fantastic that you're working both of your feet, make sure that you're also comfortable kicking with both of them alone. For kicking with one foot, you generally want to plant that foot after each kick.

Third, stop saying ball when referring to a footbag. It made me cringe each time I read it, and I think that if I heard it in person I might stab the person closest to me, be it man, woman, or child.

You seem to have a lot of patience, which is good. Best of luck to ya, keep building that Winnepeg scene.

Jamo · Post by **Jamo** » 24 Jun 2005 12:28

Im about the same level as you, and ive learnt one important thing on the way.
ANY practice is good practice.
Honestly the more you kick t the better that kick gets and the more profficient youll get enabling you to move up to the next level.

Bishop · Post by **Bishop** » 27 Jun 2005 23:07

I was wondering about another thing ive started doing. What ill do is drop the ball and then stall it on the inside. Then ill lower my leg slowely and raise it slowely and move it from side to side slowely without dropping the ball or touching the ground. It feels like its working my leg hard but is it helping my stalls? Has anyone else ever done drills like this?

ninja · Post by **ninja** » 28 Jun 2005 14:23

Im with Colin. Stop calling it ball. I havent done that excercise your talking about but people recomend raising the bag up and down for clippers. Same kind of thing I guess. Wateva works for ya.

Colin · Post by **Colin** » 28 Jun 2005 16:40

I have a confession to make. When I first saw your last post, I was so turned off by the word 'ball' that I stopped reading it. God, what an ass I am.

Anyways, yah, that's a good thing to do, especially up and down. Helps your legs learn the 'stalling' motion used to catch the bag.

Muffinman · Post by **Muffinman** » 28 Jun 2005 18:12

Hey Stephen
Yeah -- that exercise sounds like it will help you out a LOT, with your insides and clippers! It will help develop ankle strength and flexibility which is essential for these fundamental stalls. Keep it up and come shred with us some time :p (Or at least PM me >_______<)
Try this exercise in the clipper position (inside stall behind your support leg) as well. Even if you can't stall the bag, place the bag on your clipper and do what you're doing with your inside stall -- it sounds like you're on the right track

Bishop · Post by **Bishop** » 29 Jun 2005 10:27

Sorry for calling the bag a ball. Im not even conciously realizing im doing it as im typing on the computer. But im still super newbie at footbag, so i guess i can get away with it once or twice. Ill try to learn my lesson.

The Randallizer · Post by **The Randallizer** » 03 Jul 2005 14:40

Im supposed to be you and be taught by vandall!