Mature Freestylers [was: Intro/question]

BuckRuckus · Post by **BuckRuckus** » 20 Dec 2005 16:00

Hey everyone.
My name is Mike and this is my first post. I've been into footbag freestyle since July but have been a circle kicker for the past ...

ELEVEN YEARS!!!

Why the fuck did it take me so long to get serious about the sport I love? I have no idea. At least I have my toe kicks and flying clippers schooled.

Anyway, I think I'm on the right track now. I have my Lavers, some Mr. Sandbags, an Abshire and have gotten in touch with Camille and Andrew at FAT here in Toronto (thanks guys). It kind of sucks that everyone is so much better, and YOUNGER than me, but I won't give up just yet.

I was wondering- at what age do the top players start to slow down their game? I'm only 28, but feel like a dinosaur in the footbag scene. My legs are in pain, and I haven't gotten much further than mirage and legovers in the past 5 months (practicing 1 hour/day). Is it too late for me?

shredzilla · Post by **shredzilla** » 20 Dec 2005 16:29

You rock man. Footbag's fun huh? I hacked for a million years too. It's so nice when you find footbag. I started about 7 months ago after 10 years of hacking on and off. I'm two years older than you, and yeah, I feel the same way sometimes. It's all good though, I'm learning a lot, and having an awesome time doing it. We need some more converted old-school hackers in the scene! You'll get better too, just keep playing everday.

It's not too late, I'm older than you, and I got all the 2's mastered, a bunch of 3s, and I just landed my first 4. You can DO IT!

mosher · Post by **mosher** » 20 Dec 2005 16:47

Keep at it mike, some of the older BAP guys are older than you and still SLAYING, so stay enthused and you will accomplish alot.

Pengu · Post by **Pengu** » 20 Dec 2005 18:23

Shred with Tom and me during the Christmas break man!

Your name sounds familiar. Are you the Mike Faille who did the a bunch of illustrations/comics in the National Post? Like Fidel Castro and Health Canada and stuff... because if you are, I love your style.

PLEASE ARRANGE TO MEET ME!!!

Edit: Woot! 100 posts!

Skippy! · Post by **Skippy!** » 20 Dec 2005 18:31

Mike!!! Good to see you got an account, dude. It was fun shredding with you the other night. More shred will be had for sure. As long as you keep at it then you'll get it. I feel like learning footbag stuff is kinda like being the epicentre of an explosion. One second you're just shredding, and the next BOOM you hit something you couldn't before. It's sick!

BuckRuckus · Post by **BuckRuckus** » 20 Dec 2005 19:00

Thanks Peng! That is me- I work at the National Post as an Illustrator/graphic artist, but will be working for the Globe and Mail in the new year. I'd love to shred with you! I've played with Tom twice and he is a fun one to watch!

And you- Dan- didn't you say you just started shredding in August? You've been at it for less time than I have and are much more advanced. It makes me feel like my legs are past the point where they want to learn anything new.

I won't give up though ... I'll eventually beat them into submission!

Outsider · Post by **Outsider** » 20 Dec 2005 20:19

Another "Mature" Shredder

Word up!

Don't be discouraged, Mike. I've seen them start up at ages significantly more advanced than yours. Its kind of a slow process, and you never get as good as you really want to be, but maybe thats a good thing, since it always gives you something more to strive for. Anyway, I had some things to say about starting out at an older age, but I don't feel like recapping or quoting, so:

http://modified.ca/footbag/viewtopic.php?t=11418 (hope that works.)

There are kids learning to shred real well these days who are terrible at basic kicks. To me it seems kind of funny and kind of sad. At least you are not going to be one of them. And so many people these days never learn good flying clippers and other flying moves, and those kinds of tricks are still really cool. Think of it as a big advantage you have over all those kids. Just wait till you start to get the hang of spins: spinning flying clippers are big fun!

Hope you're coming to Rochester next week.

sniikeri · Post by **sniikeri** » 21 Dec 2005 02:55

Outsider wrote:There are kids learning to shred real well these days who are terrible at basic kicks. To me it seems kind of funny and kind of sad. At least you are not going to be one of them. And so many people these days never learn good flying clippers and other flying moves, and those kinds of tricks are still really cool. Think of it as a big advantage you have over all those kids. Just wait till you start to get the hang of spins: spinning flying clippers are big fun!

I can't fly.

Skippy! · Post by **Skippy!** » 23 Dec 2005 14:39

I can only do flying clipper. And "super jester"....flying butterfly? Is that the right name? I have no clue.

shredzilla · Post by **shredzilla** » 23 Dec 2005 20:59

Haha, yeah being a former hacker I used to do jesters(flying clipper kick) a lot, but did anyone ever do a 'Capital J'? That is a flying butterfly kick, which is also neat. It's funny, cuz now that I freestyle it's difficult for me to do jesters cuz my foot wants to stall instead of kick. It's kind of a different muscle movement and timing as well.

BuckRuckus · Post by **BuckRuckus** » 23 Dec 2005 21:10

Ah the memories ...

In my highschool we thought we invented the flying butterfly, or "super jester" or whatever you call it. That move was at the limit of our imaginations. We didn't think there was anything else you could do with a footbag so we did em over and over.

If only the internet was around when I was 15.

Lackey82 · Post by **Lackey82** » 23 Jan 2006 17:49

Hey,

Curious to see how work at the Globe & Mail is working out.

Also, I also termed the flying butterfly (or butterflier) the super jester. I'm curious about the names people have heard for dragonfly. I've heard reverse super jester, fester, the white ranger kick, among others. Insane!
Keep it real and keep us updated!

Iron Clad Ben · Post by **Iron Clad Ben** » 23 Jan 2006 20:57

BuckRuckus wrote:In my highschool we thought we invented the flying butterfly, or "super jester" or whatever you call it. That move was at the limit of our imaginations. We didn't think there was anything else you could do with a footbag so we did em over and over.

If only the internet was around when I was 15.

I totally identify with you man. I got my first bag when I was 10. In highschool the "jester" and pendulum were the end-all-be-all of tricks. I was a hackysack GOD at my school because I could do jesters on both sides and the pendulum.

When I was 15 the internet was just kicking off (96/97). There certainly weren't any sites where you could watch videos of every trick! I'm 24 and I felt like a geezer when I read about the crap kids half my age were hitting! Now I look back and I see how far I've come in the past 2 months that I've really logged some practice hours and focused on the game. In 1 year if I keep it up I could be hitting fours or maybe even fives, who knows!! Positive mental attitude; fun and progression are the goals.

sNale · Post by **sNale** » 24 Jan 2006 01:11

Don't worry guys my buddy Daryl started to seriously play when he was 26-27 and he is learning quite fast. So it is never too late to start. Godd to hear that you guys shred!

Jeremy · Post by **Jeremy** » 24 Jan 2006 02:00

Props Mike on starting footbag.

Regarding the flying comments - Perhaps watching some Eric Wulff footage would be a good idea - or countless other mainly old school shredders who hit a large variety of flyers in their runs.

Slowsis · Post by **Slowsis** » 24 Jan 2006 20:02

Yes!!! Two new Toronto shredders in one thread!!!!!

I used to call butterfly: Super Lazy Jester Stall
and mirage was Atomic Jester Stall

janis · Post by **janis** » 24 Jan 2006 21:57

Flyer tricks are the best.
Long live the flying jester!!!

Boyall · Post by **Boyall** » 26 Jan 2006 20:56

i called clippers jester stalls and buterfly's Scorpio

dont know why but yeah

i like super lazy jester stall

Check ya

dontlikespam · Post by **dontlikespam** » 06 Feb 2006 19:29

haha i'm right there with this guy. I've been playing circle style hack since i was around 14(27 now). I had no idea there was even a real sport called footbag. I'd heard legends of master hackers who could pull of amazing tricks, but never seen anything like what i've seen from some of the videos linked from a few sites i've seen on this board. I haven't played much for awhile though because it got pretty boring and i moved and my friends live a bit away, etc.
I'm just trying to sort through all the footbag recommendations to find a good bag for a beginner basically. I have no problem with regular kicks, i have excellent reflexes, balance, and flexibility from training in kung fu(well i did when i was still taking it but it's like riding a bike, right?) and i'm looking to get started.
I read the comments on the Lavers, and seen a few bag suggestions but there's so many different suggestions i don't know what to go with. Money doesn't really matter much unless you're talking about a bag that costs over 40 dollars or something ridiculous...

Mchaz · Post by **Mchaz** » 06 Feb 2006 20:54

dontlikespam wrote: seen a few bag suggestions but there's so many different suggestions i don't know what to go with. Money doesn't really matter much unless you're talking about a bag that costs over 40 dollars or something ridiculous...

Most everybody here will reccommend a Mr. Sandbag from http://www.freedomfootbags.com for beginning freestyle. They are pretty cheap, a good size, and super stallable.