Ok heres the story. My girlfriend's mother asked me to do a footbag demonstration at this art class thingy she does. She takes care of little kids, sorta like a daycare thingy. The kids are 5 and 6 year olds. This is where im running into trouble. Im having a hard time trying to figure out the best way how to teach younger kids about footbag.
Has anyone ever done this to such a young audience?
Does anyone have any techniques that would be useful to me teaching them about and how to play footbag?
There is only going to be 6 or 7 kids, and my little bro Willie was going to come with me. We have a few Mr. Sandbags that we can teach them with, but none of the know-how.
The demonstration is on the 21st, so help would be much appreciate!
I only have to fill up a half hour time slot, and its not really a big deal. I want it to be as fun for the kids as it can be. I want footbag to leave an impression on them forever, as well as giving it a name in my community.
Footbag Demonstration...help
Footbag Demonstration...help
Josiah Digges
Embassy Footbag Crew
Embassy Footbag Crew
-
bigdirtyfoot
- Sloppy
- Posts: 3142
- Joined: 22 Apr 2002 12:30
- Location: NC
I have taught my sister's classes things about trombone a few times (she's 6) and I can offer some advice.
First off, keep it VERY simple. These kids will be very interested, and look up to you if you present it in a positive way. In a way, you've been blessed because you can affect the future so much!
Start of with explaining the footbag. Nothing too difficult - the kids don't know words like "panel" or "stitch." After you explain the bag, explain your shoes, and maybe even your shorts.
After that, show them stretching and warming up - things like these are important, you're trying to show them what every freestyler should do when they play (whether you do or not, it's a good habit to get kids into, they will transfer stretching to other sports subconsciously whether or not they get into footbag). After that, kick the bag a few times, then do toe stalls, then clipper stalls. Explain to them what they're called, but realize they probably won't retain that information.
By now, you've probably used around 10 minutes. And since you're interacting with them rather than just shredding, they're paying attention. Now that you have their attention, you can shred, but lightly. ATW>Pixie>Mirage, etc. Show different styles, if possible.
Around 20 minutes or so, ask them if they'd like to play (if you want to involve them). If some of them want to try it, hand them a bag and let them give it a go - you never know. My sister learned toe stalls the first time she ever played! Now, she can't do them consistently, but ... well what I'm saying is that it's worth a shot.
If they want to play, insist that they stretch with you some, just to further instill that. Then let them have a go. Their friends will enjoy it and might be encouraged to try.
Around that time, ask if they'd like to see your biggest trick! By now, they are interested enough to watch, and while they may not comprehend what you're doing, it won't leave a sour taste in their mouth because they will have watched the easier stuff first. Do your biggest trick, and then make them warm down with you (stretching back out) and offer up a time to ask questions. If any kids seem extremely interested, you may consider leaving a sandman with them, but that's risky - I wouldn't really suggest it because little kids can be jealous (remember when the teacher would hand out skittles and you would want a certain color?!?).
Anyways, if you do it this way it will be fun AND educational. And we want them to have both of that.
Good luck! PM me with any other questions. I consider myself to be pretty good with kids, and although others might approach this differently, this is how I'd do it.
First off, keep it VERY simple. These kids will be very interested, and look up to you if you present it in a positive way. In a way, you've been blessed because you can affect the future so much!
Start of with explaining the footbag. Nothing too difficult - the kids don't know words like "panel" or "stitch." After you explain the bag, explain your shoes, and maybe even your shorts.
After that, show them stretching and warming up - things like these are important, you're trying to show them what every freestyler should do when they play (whether you do or not, it's a good habit to get kids into, they will transfer stretching to other sports subconsciously whether or not they get into footbag). After that, kick the bag a few times, then do toe stalls, then clipper stalls. Explain to them what they're called, but realize they probably won't retain that information.
By now, you've probably used around 10 minutes. And since you're interacting with them rather than just shredding, they're paying attention. Now that you have their attention, you can shred, but lightly. ATW>Pixie>Mirage, etc. Show different styles, if possible.
Around 20 minutes or so, ask them if they'd like to play (if you want to involve them). If some of them want to try it, hand them a bag and let them give it a go - you never know. My sister learned toe stalls the first time she ever played! Now, she can't do them consistently, but ... well what I'm saying is that it's worth a shot.
If they want to play, insist that they stretch with you some, just to further instill that. Then let them have a go. Their friends will enjoy it and might be encouraged to try.
Around that time, ask if they'd like to see your biggest trick! By now, they are interested enough to watch, and while they may not comprehend what you're doing, it won't leave a sour taste in their mouth because they will have watched the easier stuff first. Do your biggest trick, and then make them warm down with you (stretching back out) and offer up a time to ask questions. If any kids seem extremely interested, you may consider leaving a sandman with them, but that's risky - I wouldn't really suggest it because little kids can be jealous (remember when the teacher would hand out skittles and you would want a certain color?!?).
Anyways, if you do it this way it will be fun AND educational. And we want them to have both of that.
Good luck! PM me with any other questions. I consider myself to be pretty good with kids, and although others might approach this differently, this is how I'd do it.
Thanks a ton for the help dirty!
Thats just what i wanted. I've been around little kids alot, but never really worked with them trying to teach them. So it was hard for me trying to find a way to make it simple enough to understand and be interested. I definitley plan on having them try kicking and toe stalls. The problem is, is that willie and i only have a couple MR. Sandbags....90% of our bags are 32-panels. I planned on asking daryl for like 10 footbags as well as those Footbag FLyer things, but i didn't get off my ass and do it
and before i knew it the date was here.
But thanks alot for the help! i write down some of it and start planning. Tons of help man!
Thats just what i wanted. I've been around little kids alot, but never really worked with them trying to teach them. So it was hard for me trying to find a way to make it simple enough to understand and be interested. I definitley plan on having them try kicking and toe stalls. The problem is, is that willie and i only have a couple MR. Sandbags....90% of our bags are 32-panels. I planned on asking daryl for like 10 footbags as well as those Footbag FLyer things, but i didn't get off my ass and do it
and before i knew it the date was here. But thanks alot for the help! i write down some of it and start planning. Tons of help man!
Josiah Digges
Embassy Footbag Crew
Embassy Footbag Crew
-
bigdirtyfoot
- Sloppy
- Posts: 3142
- Joined: 22 Apr 2002 12:30
- Location: NC