Style

WiGeek · Post by **WiGeek** » 23 Sep 2005 10:40

I've been watching a lot of footbag videos, and (I know no names) some people look really awesome when they footbag, but some people just look like shit.

So that brings me to the question: does anyone notice style or is it just "lets see how sloppily we can hit adds?"

Yeah, I know, some people may be just starting, but why not wait to film until the trick looks as smooth as butter?

jon · Post by **jon** » 23 Sep 2005 11:10

Everyone's style is unique and that is what makes footbag great! STYLE IS IMPORTANT. For some people, every trick looks smooth and really controlled, for others tricks are less controlled ect. It doesn't always reflect however how good a player is, as some people with perfect form can't hit basic three adds while other's can hit 6/7s with their looser style.
A lot of players put a fair bit of time and effort into trying to develop a style that they like and for most players this is something they will continue to work on as long as they play.

Why don't players wait till they all look the same to make videos? Because its fun to play footbag and show other people what you are hitting. Who cares what other people think? As long as people enjoy playing and making videos that is all that matters.

WiGeek · Post by **WiGeek** » 23 Sep 2005 11:19

Yeah, I understand what you are saying, but even when someone perfects a trick, they're still going to have a unique style, no matter what.

I just rather see a good 3 add, hell even a good looking 1 add then a really sloppy, horrible style anything else...

But you're right -- it's fun to make videos, I plan on doing one soon

NotHisRealName · Post by **NotHisRealName** » 23 Sep 2005 14:23

There is a discussion about style reflecting personality, somewhere on this board. Regardless of weather you agree or not, it's still true that different people have different styles.

The reason for this is that alot of people start out with no-one to learn from. They download a few videos here and there and try to mimic what they see (a 2D image, I might add) in order to complete the trick.
So, as people progress, they take what they can from the videos and nut out the rest on their own and... a new style is created.

Some perfect examples of different styles can be seen when comparing Ales Zelinka, Jim Penske, Lon Smith. All three are awesome players, and each have a unique style.
In fact, some players (Ales inparticular) are really posessed with the concept of style.
For example, during the Australian Footbag Championships in 2004, Ales hit an awesome sick 3 in the prelims. The crowd was cheering and most were amazed. But Ales was disappointed, stateing "Bad form."
I was changing tapes or batteries on my camera at the time, so I missed filming it. But I know someone should have caught that moment on video.

Anyway... about videos with sloppy style.
Some people are devoliping their style as they play. Some people just add hunt and don't worry about style.
However, we've got to remember that this is a global community with such a small population. We often play alone because there's no-one within 100kms who's able to play! Therefor, it's nice to share a video with the rest of the footbag community... to show the world that you exist... to show the world how YOU do it.

slapdash21 · Post by **slapdash21** » 23 Sep 2005 15:17

NotHisRealName wrote:There is a discussion about style reflecting personality, somewhere on this board. Regardless of weather you agree or not, it's still true that different people have different styles.

The reason for this is that alot of people start out with no-one to learn from. They download a few videos here and there and try to mimic what they see (a 2D image, I might add) in order to complete the trick.
So, as people progress, they take what they can from the videos and nut out the rest on their own and... a new style is created.

Some perfect examples of different styles can be seen when comparing Ales Zelinka, Jim Penske, Lon Smith. All three are awesome players, and each have a unique style.
In fact, some players (Ales inparticular) are really posessed with the concept of style.
For example, during the Australian Footbag Championships in 2004, Ales hit an awesome sick 3 in the prelims. The crowd was cheering and most were amazed. But Ales was disappointed, stateing "Bad form."
I was changing tapes or batteries on my camera at the time, so I missed filming it. But I know someone should have caught that moment on video.

Anyway... about videos with sloppy style.
Some people are devoliping their style as they play. Some people just add hunt and don't worry about style.
However, we've got to remember that this is a global community with such a small population. We often play alone because there's no-one within 100kms who's able to play! Therefor, it's nice to share a video with the rest of the footbag community... to show the world that you exist... to show the world how YOU do it.

wow. that was a REALLY good answer...im actually really impressed.
the part about new style developing based on not having direct access to another real-life footbagger, who has more experience than yourself, is totally true. ironically, i think that is another reason the sport is growing so slowly, because without a veteran footbagger to help you and give you tips on proper advancement, a lot of beginner footbaggers get discouraged, etc. but thats off-topic. yeah, you see a video and dont have much to work with...definitely a major factor.

HooD · Post by **HooD** » 24 Sep 2005 05:49

Nah, nobody really notices style in freestyle footbag, they all look the same to me [/smartassremark]

Sorry, it's early, and i'm not a morning person.

Edit : to stay somewhat positive, I'm with you wigeek, style is everything -James Mcculough. I try never to hit moves that feel bad, cause if it doesn't feel right, it doesn't look good either. Of course, whenever you start a new move, it doesn't feel right, so I guess I'm saying infront of others.

sampotter · Post by **sampotter** » 24 Sep 2005 10:19

I think the way to cultivate your style as a footbagger is to work from the ground up and not try moves that you don't have the foundations for! If you can't paradox whirl, symposium whirl, or downtime symposium whirl, but can hit spinning clipper 1/10 tries... uh, don't try whirlwind! Same goes for stuff like smear and ripwalk. I remember back when I was getting into the sport (and the same is true now) people who would fixate over a move like ripwalk for some reason and neglect becoming a really solid tiltless player who can clipper and basic 2-add on each side. They would end up with a really jay ripwalk with obviously poor form! So newbies, learn your basics, it pays off in every way possible.

habitat · Post by **habitat** » 24 Sep 2005 10:37

Well my style is due to my left leg being 2-4 cm longer than my right therefore causing WSS, Weight Shift Syndrome. My hip hurts

But I agree, to each his own, you dance around that footbag weird

sampotter · Post by **sampotter** » 24 Sep 2005 11:04

Oh damn, I feel for you James.

My right leg is indistinguishably longer than my left (I doubt more than 1/4 cm) but it does make a difference over a while. Wish there was a way to correct it![/i]

Blackend · Post by **Blackend** » 24 Sep 2005 13:12

Style = everything in footbag
i.e. moves that are significant to you that only a select few can perform.
i.e. stop whining

Nightmare · Post by **Nightmare** » 24 Sep 2005 13:14

lol umm well some peoples style is just sloppy

WiGeek · Post by **WiGeek** » 24 Sep 2005 13:42

Style is so confusing.

Some people are so smoothe and look amazing, others are so smoothe and are boring.

Some people are sloppy as hell and look horrible, some people are sloppy but the sloppy style works somehow.

I guess in the end, you either have it or you don't.

jon · Post by **jon** » 24 Sep 2005 16:10

WiGeek wrote:I guess in the end, you either have it or you don't.

WRONG!

edit: ok a one word reply is a little harsh

People can work on and improve their style and control. Nothing is set in stone.

smpdustin15 · Post by **smpdustin15** » 24 Sep 2005 16:20

theirs millions of styles but i figure a couple can be lumped together.
like for instance jim penske and felix zenger*spelling have very aggressive styles that like scream out at the bag like what you got bitch. they really powerful players that kick ass. which i think is awesome and really impressive. but others like lon smith and derek vandall have completely different styles its like the bag slows down and seems to defy gravity. and others like vasek just seem to time the bag and can morph around it.

some plant hard some plant soft. some duck some dont theirs a million different things you can do like drifters change a style i think.

just find someone you think is cool and try to change to play like them.

Jeremy · Post by **Jeremy** » 24 Sep 2005 18:49

I tend to think "bad style" is really only something for players learning the moves - once you really have the components for a move down - it will feel and look a lot more solid - it's the same with anything - juggling, playing piano etc.

But I have never played footbag for other people and I think that's best - so long as you are happy and comfortable with the way you play, that's the important thing.

C-Fan · Post by **C-Fan** » 24 Sep 2005 19:49

A couple thoughts.

1. Style is in the eye of the beholder. I`ve talked to other players who`ve thought my favorite players` styles were "bad", even though I thought they were great. Also, a lot of players with great style dislike their own style.

2. The first post in this thread made it sound like some people play with bad style because they don`t care about style. That`s not always the case. I care a lot about good style, and I love good style, and I try real hard to play with good style, but I`m not a big fan (

) of my own "style." You could say I look sloppy or lack style, but it`s NOT for lack of trying.

3. Jeremy said it best. Play for yourself. It can be good to try and look good, but look good for yourself. Ultimately, other people`s opinions shouldn`t affect how you play.

sniikeri · Post by **sniikeri** » 25 Sep 2005 01:29

I just started to make a vid and saw my own shred for the first time.
My first thought was "damn I've got a nice style".

It's not the best, smoothest, most technical etc. but in my opinion it was pretty good for someone who's been shredding four (or two) times with other people. And I know there'll be people who'll disagree with me about the style.

...or then I was just raising my self-esteem.

Anyways, I'm happy and saw that I haven't done all the work for nothing.

james_dean · Post by **james_dean** » 25 Sep 2005 03:54

Nagasake wrote:Oh damn, I feel for you James. My right leg is indistinguishably longer than my left (I doubt more than 1/4 cm) but it does make a difference over a while. Wish there was a way to correct it![/i]

I'm pretty sure that having one side of your body larger than the other is normal. My whole left side, from my abs to my fingers to my feet is slightly larger. I doubt it has any real influence though.

I agree style is everything... I learnt fairy before pixie on purpose, just to be different