first of all, you might not quite understand what the concept of freestyl footbag is! Well here is how footbag.org describes freestyle footbag...
"freestyle footbag" is just another name for the sport that has evolved from "hacking" in a circle. The game of kicking a footbag around a circle is still the single most dominant form of the game in the world.
In freestyle competitions, players choreograph routines to music, alone or in pairs, executing difficult moves in synch with the music--the result is something like a cross between rhythmic gymnastics and figure skating.
The distinction between "freestyle" and "hacking" is in the eye of the beholder. Almost all advanced freestylers practice and play in a circle, with the same rules everyone is familiar with: (a) courtesy tosses to start the rally, (b) no hands, (c) trying to make sure the footbag gets passed to every player in the circle. (Advanced players tend to always pass the footbag in a specific direction to players around the circle so that they don't skip anyone, although even in circles of top players, this is not always possible.)
All traditional footbag "hack" circles are freestyle circles, as players not only kick the bag, but attempt to do "tricks" or FREESTYLE MOVES with the footbag while they have it.
you might want to go to http://www.footbag.organd check out what the IFPA is and what they are about! They are a great orginization working for the betterment of the community
1) one of the most common things i hear is new people asking about footbag shoes and what they should get. here's my advice....
if your going to get serious into footbag we seriously recommend GOOD footbag shoes.
namely:
addidas rod lavers:
new balance ct520's
G-Units:
Clima Cool (1's) (rare-ish)
These are the most common shoes lately that people who footbag use, although there are always exceptions and people use different shoes all the time. the nex thing you would hopefully want to do with these shoes is MOD them as in cut them up appropriately to were it would benifit you along your path for footbag glory!
and because modified.in is such an awesome community they have a plethera of different threads that will help you with all your modding needs!
broka mod (laver):
http://www.modified.in/footbag/viewtopic.php?t=3511
Clima cool modification tutorial:http://www.modified.in/footbag/viewtopic.php?t=9630
G-unit Modification
http://www.modified.in/footbag/viewtopic.php?t=11388
G-unit modification #2:
http://modified.in/footbag/viewtopic.php?t=12111
and i think that, that will get you started down the right path.
proper clothing can also mean the difference between getting a trick and missing it. Its recommended that you might want to get some tight fiting, or short shorts, for they will help maximize your abilities.
2) The next thing you might want to consider getting is a decent footbag, that would help improve your game. Here are websites that offer footbags, that are fairly cheap and good for new comers.
freedom footbags:
freedom footbags offers a bunch of different footbags that range from the most beginner to the most advanced, ranging from 4-panels, to 32 panels.
The 4 panel bags are made and endorsed by Jim penske and Daryl Genz, both prominent footbag players in the community.
http://www.freedomfootbags.com
Kingston Footbag:
this website is owned and operated by Tom Mosher and Pengpeng Du, they have both been stitching and playing for awhile and are gettin gpretty crafty in the art of the footbag. They also have a pretty good range of bags that can be anywere from 4 panels to 32 panels.
http://www.kingstonfootbag.com
you also might want to check out the stitchers thread when your ready, that are really good at making footbags.
http://www.modified.in/footbag/viewtopic.php?t=6747
*note: it doesnt hurt to ALWAYS practice your kicks. even though eentually you might get out of doing them at all, its still essential in learning how to control the bag properly*
3) now, once you think your ready to delv into the art of freestyle footbag, you might want to consider learning what the add system (and job notation) is and what different "newbie" tricks there are for you to learn! to understand what im about to talk about, you might want to read the job notation tutorial on footbag.org...
http://www.footbag.org/faq/show?id=jobs-tutorial
the add system: this is a system designed to show you the "worth" of trick. for instance here in a few paragraphs i will be describing a "toe stall" which is a 1 add trick because of the [del](delay), and "legover" which is a 2 add trick beacause it has as [del] and a [dex](motion of dexing the bag).
a good place to start is learning the different delays (stalls) here are a few:
toes stall(delay)(1 add): stalling (stopping) the bag on your foot without kicking the bag.
Heel stall(delay)(1 add): stalling it on the heel of your shoe, without kicking it.
sole stall(delay)(1 add): stalling it on the flat of the bottom of your shoe, without kicking it.
Inside stall(delay)(1 add):stalling the bag on the inside of your foot (near the crest) * note: do not put dexing leg behind the support leg, thats a clipper stall, and its totally different*
for movies of newbie freestyle tricks i recommend going to
http://www.hackrifice.com. Go to the "video" section and choose "ye olde 2 adds" there are many tricks there that will help you along your way. now i will try to explain a couple of tricks that new people should learn...
Legover (2 add) (SET > OP OUT [DEX] > SAME TOE [DEL]): the [dex] and the [del] give this 2 adds. Pass the support leg over the footbag and catch on a delay. E.g., from a left toe stall, hop off the right leg and bring it over the top of the footbag and catch it on a right toe delay.
Around the word (2 add) (TOE > SAME IN/OUT [DEX] > SAME TOE [DEL]):Pass the support leg over the footbag and catch on a delay. E.g., from a left toe stall, hop off the right leg and bring it over the top of the footbag and catch it on a right toe delay.
Clipper (2 add)(CLIP [XBD] [DEL]):Delay the footbag on the inside surface of the foot with the catching leg tucked behind the support leg. Bend the support leg deeply and lean slightly over this leg for balance.
if you understand job notation well, you might want to look at the trick section of footbag.org
http://www.footbag.org/freestyle/
4) now getting on in the community and being a welcomed visitor!
a lot of people here currently hold footblogs (kind of like personal diaries that people use to tell other people thier progress and feelings) i would consider writing in the newbie footblog.....http://www.modified.in/footbag/viewtopic.php?t=12340
or creating your own!
5) Lastly i would personaly like to welcome all newcomers to the sport of " freestyle footbag" ! its a fun and exciting sport! If you ever have any questions dont be afraid to post a new topic with your question (just make sure you use the search button first to find what you are looking for before posting a new thread) , or you can pm (personal message) me or nearly any of the people on this forum, its most likely they will help you with what you need!
remember: put your REAL name in your signature (if you have a problem with that pm the mods they'll help you out)
a real good way to get better is to footbag with people that are better than you
and....lastly....
Have fun in this community! I hope to see you around!
Troy Erstling 
