going BIG

proof · Post by **proof** » 02 May 2006 06:55

ok i think everyone agrees that footbag is growing. but still many people dont know about footbag yet when i watch videos theres a bunch of people all around them.watching.talking. and in amazment. so there should be a whole lot more shredders in the world. i think we need to start recrewting people, like the army, or a church does. go out and people to play at all cost. maybe give them something. we need to get a bunch of shredder together(or local shredders) and and go big.

give me your opion. later

HooD · Post by **HooD** » 02 May 2006 07:36

Easier said than done. Everytime I shred I go to my local park to the most busy spot and shred. The sport is growing, but it is very spread out and most places aren't so lucky to have a lot of players to actually represent what freestyle is all about. Some things you can do is play outside more often, start a club once you have some members, organize an event, go to hacking circles and show them freestyle (don't shove it down their throats), demos for footbag, etc.

quadgun · Post by **quadgun** » 02 May 2006 07:41

I say we go around knocking on doors and infroming people about footbag.
If footbagers have enough time to post on a forum, and the guts to play footbag in short shorts in public, then they should be able to do something like this.

brinard · Post by **brinard** » 02 May 2006 07:53

then ppl will get annoyed with footbag, instead of not caring. i hate when someone comes a preaching something at my door, and im sure footbag will get the same reaction from everyone else.

i think giving a sandbag or something is a good start. itll cost you, but you may get a few ppl into it. flyers. i dunno.

Zeke · Post by **Zeke** » 02 May 2006 08:21

Proof, damn I love the way you think! I hope you keep this kind of mindest for as long as you play footbag.

But as Hood, mentioned, it's easier said than done. Just because people watch, don't assume many of them will just get into the sport. I think it might just be a spectacle for the average bystander. This does not mean that you shouldn't encourage people to try it, just don't be discouraged if they don't stick with it. If nothing else, go ahead and give them a show. Blow their minds.

I don't think that shredders are average people. They have an almost fanatical love for the sport and the desire and discipline to push themselves to progress further and further with each session. People like that aren't easy to find.

(don't shove it down their throats)

Word. You can't make them love it. Show it to them, and they'll either love it or they don't.

proof · Post by **proof** » 02 May 2006 09:11

i agree w/ everything you guys said but we need to push them a little more to play footbag. like when your out playing w/ some local shredders. and start talking to the people call them out and give them a footbag( maybe a cheap one i guess) i no what your talking when you say you hate it when people come preaching on your porch. and i don't think we should do that but maybe if,like when ever where shredding and there amazed by what they see then you talk to them and make them feel like there something and influnce them to play, or maybe start a bunch of circles(depending on how many u get) and invite them to play.give them a teaste of this amazing sport. and then shred it up and give them something to look forward to make them feel like there apart of something great cause they are(if they play footbag) and i'm positive that this entire world will be come nothing but shredders.

thanks

Zeke · Post by **Zeke** » 02 May 2006 09:35

There are plenty of shredders that do exactly what you described to some degree or another. But if every player did that all the time...that would be something

Bander87 · Post by **Bander87** » 02 May 2006 10:45

Yeah, I remember in some videos people shredding down the street and handing out flyers for flipsider was it? And look at the videos from footbag denmark, lots of promotion. I think we just need to be on tv more. Heck, look at other sports on tv that you never seen people do in real life. You've seen them on tv, but you havn't seen them in real life or met anyone in that sport, yet you know what it is.

I thought about having a bunch of good players just travel across the country shredding and doing shows and promotions. This takes money though.

Is it hard to get people into footbag? Circle kickers at my school seem barely interested, except for a few people. There's circle kickers all over the place that know about freestyle but don't get into freestyle.

proof · Post by **proof** » 02 May 2006 12:04

thats what i'm talking about GOING BIG getting on tv doing what every we have to do to get footbag known. maybe organize a group make it big and get on tv. everyone has got to do this. i think just about every shredder nos about modified so maybe theyll see this and do something.

gett out there and let footbag be known, thanks

beenjammin · Post by **beenjammin** » 02 May 2006 12:47

I really like the flyer idea. Making and taking cards with websites (footbag websites) is a great idea too. I think alot of people dont get into freestyle because they are afraid of being ridiculed or embarassed for dropping the bag. Most people will only play at school which is a pretty high pressure place to play anyways. When i see people in the circle being negative or talking down to a player i always stop it because that is not what the circle is about. The circle is about helping and encouraging eachother, this is every one of our responsibilities.

FOOTBAG F*CENSORED*ING ROCKS!!!!!!!!! YEAH!!!!!! FOOTBAG!!!!!!!!!!

quadgun · Post by **quadgun** » 02 May 2006 12:55

Zeke wrote:Just because people watch, don't assume many of them will just get into the sport.

yea exactly

just because zeke watches wrestling and plays wrestling games, doesnt mean he'll tackle someone and put them in ankle locks

Zeke · Post by **Zeke** » 02 May 2006 13:08

ROFLMAO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

For everyones safety, you should definately assume that...

Anz · Post by **Anz** » 03 May 2006 01:07

argh... these ideas are so old... It's sad to see this happening again and again...

Ok boys, if you'd like to see it happen - THEN DO IT YOURSELVES. Most of the people on modified.in are too lazy to actually do anything.

proof · Post by **proof** » 03 May 2006 05:06

do it yourselfs what the hell if your a shredder you'll do it to. i got into footbag by someone doing the exact same thing that im talking about doing. it was at our homecoming pep assembaly. in front of the whole school. i saw ben rinowski play and now im a total addict. if every one does this it will be seccessful.

later.

Drew360 · Post by **Drew360** » 03 May 2006 05:35

it takes a certain type of person to stick with it because it is very frustrating at the beginning trying to learn the basics... probably 8 or 9 out of 10 would try it a couple times then quit... i have tried to get people into it and they just say "it's to hard" or "i don't have the coordination"

proof · Post by **proof** » 03 May 2006 09:45

well tell them thats a bunch of bullshit. and start kick the damn footbag. i understand that people are not interested, and lose sight of what it is really about so you have to show them the way. challenge them. show them the benefits and greatness of this amazing sport. and i can almost promise you they will become interested.

. i no that i am an addict because ben did the same thing w/ me. IT WILL WORK. you have to work w/ them. do what ever you can. we started out few and now we are big but not big enough. or else we would be know by everyone, on tv, on the radio, and so many more thing we just have to have the willingness to do it just like begginers hsve the willingness to play. just do it.

Larson · Post by **Larson** » 03 May 2006 10:36

I always give away bags in hope of recruting new players. It has worked to some degree, but many of my bags have gone to waste by people who think they don't have any coordination, so they just don't attempt. It's sad.

bustinjustin · Post by **bustinjustin** » 03 May 2006 11:12

Hey y'all, Its been a while but I'm starting to check the forums again, and thought I'd chime in.
I don't think its so much we need more players in the sport as we just need more people to know about the sport. If we can promote it to everone so everyone knows what exactly it is then people will just start catching on. Going by a point by point basis trying to start shredders is I think the long way around. I mean everyone know's what Hacky Sack is and everyone's tried that, I think they would try footbag too if they knew what it was.
I think the best thing we can do to promote this sport is network. Take a few cues from the b-boys and set up events. Now Footbag events and festivals are fine but your not coming accross your average joe, just people who have already heard about it. What we need is our own DJ's and drummers and music networks, or to set up battles at shows. We need to tap into the sensationism of the sport. Set up at night events that gather massive amounts of people. Work with other promoters to give you time during their events. I think once you sensationalize the sport you will see a surge in participants. We need to capture that "Tony Hawk effect" make the sport "cool." Then just like skate boarding you will have massive amounts of people into it. I mean skate boarding is way harder than footbagging and you hurt yourself a lot more too, but none of those kids are saying, "its too hard" its because theres a certain respect that comes with doing it that footbag hasn't captured yet.
I think the czech kids are doing a great job crossing footbag with other events, that's why its doing so good over there. How many times do we see vasek playing in front of a couple hundred people at some night club or music event. If you want footbag to explode take the initiative and start putting yourself in the lime light, and the people will come to you.
(this post was entirely to long, sorry)
justin

Zeb Jackson · Post by **Zeb Jackson** » 03 May 2006 12:38

ana_ali wrote:argh... these ideas are so old... It's sad to see this happening again and again...

Ok boys, if you'd like to see it happen - THEN DO IT YOURSELVES. Most of the people on modified.in are too lazy to actually do anything.

lazy-ish as it seems, because it takes quite a bit of energy to shred

just to lazy to exploit the sport

beenjammin · Post by **beenjammin** » 03 May 2006 13:17

Hey guys,
I have given alot of thought on how to introduce footbag to people and have decided that
1. The game must be appealing
2. It is important to remember that most people will be scared away by the challenge when they see the shred get too intense. There are alot of lazy people who would never even consider trying it because it looks so hard.
-this applies to most people, big tricks and intense shred will bring in the extraordinary players who arent scared away from the challenge, but instead they are attracted by it.
3.Never be negative or allow negativity in any directly footbag related gathering of any sorts. Just playing with alot of different people is key. They will get to see and play footbag and there will be more of a chance of one of them sticking with it.
4. Most important of all be aware of your surroundings, relax, focus, and control. There is no footbag.
We would have more of a chance of being on tv if we always find news and television cameras and shred in front of them. Always! The more we are on tv the more of a chance of someone important liking it.