Playing surface.

Larson · Post by **Larson** » 30 Mar 2006 17:54

I was wondering how bad it is for you to play on a hard surface like concrete I try to stay on softer surfaces like grass. What kind of an impact do think this has on your body.

Iron Clad Ben · Post by **Iron Clad Ben** » 31 Mar 2006 00:30

It's simple physics really, the softer the surface the more give it has so the less force landing on it has on your body. If you watch "the last shred" the guys actually shred on mats. Softer is always better, but the problem with grass is that even small bumps and inconsistencies can trip you up in freestyle. Grass is great for hacking, but can cause problems for shredding.

Personally my favorite shredding surfaces are wooden decks and hardwood floors.

HooD · Post by **HooD** » 31 Mar 2006 08:17

I prefer a surface that has some give to it, but is still really stiff. I like a nice medium between hard and soft. A lot of people say concrete and surfaces with no give are pretty harsh on the body, I agree for the most part. I believe it was Tsiangkun that said he liked surfaces like that. For the reason that when you pivot and jump, you don't have to compensate like you do on softer surfaces that give in. Therefore you use less muscle and have an easier time controlling movement. Or atleast something like that, makes sense.

I think though having the slightest give really helps with wear and tear throughout the joints. So really thin carpet (industrial carpet) or wood finished floors are my cup of tea.

And then there are the surfaces I always try to avoid...any wet surfaces that'll take away traction, slanted surfaces, uneven terrain (grass), gravel of course, yattah yattah, all mostly common sense.

shreddaily · Post by **shreddaily** » 31 Mar 2006 09:51

www.getrung.com

Your body will thank you.

Larson · Post by **Larson** » 31 Mar 2006 10:02

I like the look of those mats. Do you use those?

freestyler4life · Post by **freestyler4life** » 31 Mar 2006 11:51

Those mats are awesome, I wanna get some but I wish I could try them first, do these mats give but are still fairly stiff-like hood is talking about

pips · Post by **pips** » 31 Mar 2006 17:37

I like playing on school sidewalks and stuff like that. Not too hard, no slants, ...

I don't know if this happens to everyone, but garage floors hurt my shins. I hate garage floors and refuse to play on them anymore.

funklovesfootbag · Post by **funklovesfootbag** » 05 Apr 2006 11:50

I think playing on grass is bad; If there's one uneven patch you can FUBAR your ankle real easy. I've used those shred mats; Abshire shreds on them religiously and I think they're great. I'm going to invest in some as soon as I've got the money.. your joints will definitely thank you after 10 years of shredding.

For now I play on whatever hard flat surface I can find.. my shins hurt no matter what I play on, but they're definitely getting stronger from playing.

*Edit* Wow, those mats are cheaper than I thought... $25.98 for a small shred surface, $51.96 for a huge shred surface... think I'm gonna cough up the dough real soon.

Also, these mats prolong the life of your bags and shoes as well.

Torn · Post by **Torn** » 05 Apr 2006 13:37

I mostly play on hard surfaces like concrete if the weather is bad because then I have to go to my shredplace where I have a roof but am still outside...I would love to have a shred room but where to get the money to organize something like that

...Anyway in summer I play on a hard court which is like one of those maps, hard but on the other hand still a lot softer than concrete etc....I would love to shred there everyday but the weather interferes with my plans mostly

...But I will sure buy a footbag mat (you get them in Switzerland) to have a better surface to play on...but money....

Anyway go footbag

shreddaily · Post by **shreddaily** » 05 Apr 2006 17:10

Fletcher knows whats up!!!!

I just ordered mine.

sampotter · Post by **sampotter** » 05 Apr 2006 19:12

Oh my god, those are cheap as hell!!!

Tsiangkun · Post by **Tsiangkun** » 06 Apr 2006 15:33

shreddaily wrote:www.getrung.com

Your body will thank you.

You can see Nate using my mats in his blog I think.

These things are awesome. Light enough to walk around town with, and thick enough to prevent even the hardest pounding players from feeling the ground.

I would say to get at least 16 mats. That's a pretty decent size surface for two or three people.

Use the two left over as a stretching mat or something.

Caleb · Post by **Caleb** » 07 Apr 2006 05:35

Can you actually tote these around to where you're playing? Like fit it in a bookbag and walk through the city until you find a shred spot?

Tsiangkun · Post by **Tsiangkun** » 07 Apr 2006 07:53

I carry them all over without any problems.
I have a little handle system I rigged up, and carry them like a briefcase.

They are 2ft on each side, i don't see them fitting into your backpack.

ShredOnLawn · Post by **ShredOnLawn** » 08 Apr 2006 02:08

I got injured from playing on a slight slant.

Must be perfectly flat and level.

Soft is good.

a Dry Golf Course Green is THE BEST EVER.

janis · Post by **janis** » 08 Apr 2006 02:46

dry lawn tennis courts and lawn bowls are great to play on

Slowsis · Post by **Slowsis** » 10 Apr 2006 14:18

ShredOnLawn wrote:I got injured from playing on a slight slant

Only long term injury I've ever had was from the same problem.

Flatness, a little give, grippy.

Edit: Like synthetic outdoor jogging tracks.

Larson · Post by **Larson** » 11 Apr 2006 00:03

Like synthetic outdoor jogging tracks.

That would be awsome if you had a whole room with this in it, that was just devoted to footbag.

Jdigges · Post by **Jdigges** » 12 Apr 2006 11:47

my favorites are thin industrial carpet, track material and wood. There is a really nice big gazebo that we play on here.

I've always wanted to try putting green after i read your blog lon. unfortunatley i haven't had the chance

funklovesfootbag · Post by **funklovesfootbag** » 18 Apr 2006 20:11

just ordered shred mats!!