Circle Contest- a new footbag competition [OFFICIAL RELEASE]

shredzilla · Post by **shredzilla** » 09 May 2006 22:16

Sorry for another post, but I really like the vision behind this. I like the fact that unlike routines, and Shred 30 and the like, it's uncoreographed, totally spontaneous and impromtu, which means you'll catch a lot of players busting HUGE. It seems like you really don't get that as much in routines or even Shred 30. Most players hold back their biggest tricks in these events. I'd definitely like to see someone bust huge in a judged circle event. This sounds exciting!

james_dean · Post by **james_dean** » 09 May 2006 23:12

Do you really think it will be spontaneous? Shred30 was supposed to be but now it's completely planned... I wouldn't be surprised if people plan for this as well.

But that won't erase the benefit og huge tricks and strings and the more natural style of it. Major props guys

Look forward to hearing how it goes/competing in one in the future

sidekick · Post by **sidekick** » 10 May 2006 11:28

I think that most people won't plan thier shred out for this event. THere would be no purpose to plan out shred based on the rules and judging systems, becuase the shred would be the same everytime. This circle shred comp is revolutionary IMO, mostly due to it's ability to have other shredders feed off eachother's energy. I know if I'm in a circle with the local shreders I play normal, but if I get into a circle with Jim Penske or Byrin, or anyone else that I usually don't shred with, I step my shred up.

bigdirtyfoot · Post by **bigdirtyfoot** » 10 May 2006 12:21

Nice job Ellis. I like the concept.

As far as judging goes, of course footbag will be subjective. It doesn't have to be considered a sport. We'd have to use "real" statistics then, like points. If we consider it a performance/art/sport all rolled into one, then being subjective becomes okay. Bias will always be around in subjective judging, but as more footbaggers become able to judge, less bias will be around, and it will improve.

This sounds interesting - perhaps the judges could even have their own circle just for fun or to be judged by audience vote or something? Would make it more interesting for them, I would suppose.

dyalander · Post by **dyalander** » 10 May 2006 18:12

OK heres what I think, its a little long so if you don't care what I think I guess you might want to skip to the next post.
I think if it takes off players will loosely choreograph an aproach, but there certainly won't be the same plotting out of moves as can be useful in shred 30.
I particularly like the idea of "owning one's style" its a good phrase and describes the way judges (not just here but also in Routine comps) should consider style and form, it allows for variety while still demanding control.
I think you need to be slightly clearer when you say

Overall you should ask yourself who is pushing the limits furthest

to specify that you mean the limits of footbag more generaly, rather than the specific limits of each individual player.
Its hard to say whether the circle will be audience friendly , or even judge friendly, especially in 4 or 5 person circles as players will inevitably be side on or back to judges or audience. But i guess players themselves can twist a little in the circle, and players move around while shredding anyway, i guess you just don't know how it will work until it's been done. Organisers should tell players to be aware of the the judges and audience who need to see whats going on, and/or perhaps the referee can direct players to move slightly when its not their turn so everyone can see.
I think the judging system is adequate. It definitely makes things easier when its reduced to a matter of who was better here and now, rather than where did that fit on the scale of scores across history, implicit in more score based systems.
I think its definitely more of a footbaggers comp than routines which is about performance and connecting with an audience. This is all about what footbaggers value in shred. How that will work as a comp event remains to be seen, but I expect players will love it, and enjoy competing in it.
Oh yeah, I'm also interested to see how it works in circles that have one or two players whose run length is substantially shorter than the other player(s). Obviously it won't pose any problems to the judges, but as a competitor, it will clearly be important to do only what's necessary and no more, to make sure that you don't end up carrying a circle and spending excessive amounts of energy. This will especially be the case in the heats. I can see players who are in a circle with someone who is clearly a better shredder deciding that it might be better to try and tone down the circle with shorter runs in the hope of bringing the better player down, then putting some pressure on at the end with a big last run. There is definitly potential for interesting strategy, though it will still be difficult to beat players who are simply better than you, which in the end is the way it should be.

blitz · Post by **blitz** » 23 Jul 2006 22:41

[bump]

For those who have been present at a Circle contest, please share your feedback about the experience.

Word has it, the crowd went nuts at Worlds for the Final Circle, and the Berlin crew is holding a Circle contest this week at their Footbag Summer, as well as in Poland next month.

Pretty cool!

The fire is spreading.

pillar · Post by **pillar** » 23 Jul 2006 23:20

Just by reading the documents and hearing about the worlds circle contest I really like this. I still don't think this should be to replace routines, but this could definiately replace shred 30 as a players event. Shred 30 has become pretty boring to me with everyone planning the same easy high add value tricks into their shred. Also shred30 has to be judged by video and it will always take a while to get the results. I like the idea of having the scores immediately available after a heat. It will certainly be better for the audience as well. Good job on this and let's hope the future has good things in store for the circle contest!

sampotter · Post by **sampotter** » 23 Jul 2006 23:52

Justin and I will be holding the circle comp at this year's SJFF.

mosher · Post by **mosher** » 24 Jul 2006 02:03

Okay, I got to play a pretty involved role in the circle contest at worlds this year (I was the MC) and I have to say that it was a MASSIVE success!!!

The crowd went fucking crazy for it and the players in the final (Jorden/Honza/Felix/Ales) really did a very good job.

The early rounds of the competition went by pretty fast and as we got closer to the final the shred level just kept getting raised.

It was pretty incredible for everyone to see the final circle, four of the best shredders in the world going head to head was such a sight to see!!

I think I did a pretty okay job MC-ing, nobody complained!

Thank you Ianek and Ellis for working so hard to make this happen, it was a huge success!

Also, thanks for letting me help you guys make it happen.

footjam_heger · Post by **footjam_heger** » 24 Jul 2006 02:41

it was pretty cool to watch! the players stood under pressure and everyone wanted to beat the next with even huger combos...

as tom already mentioned, the crowd went fucking crazy!

thanks to ellis, ianek and tom (for super mc-supporting)

justin41 · Post by **justin41** » 24 Jul 2006 06:00

alright.. im a net player.

but i have seen countless high level freestyle events.
nothing compared to that final circle... really.

tom: great job on moderating this. and whoever got up with that event: thanks.

it was just awesome. all the players encouraged themselves to play high-add and also uniquish and funny. i went nuts along with the other spectators... fuxxin crazy style.

Skippy! · Post by **Skippy!** » 24 Jul 2006 06:23

I love the circle competition. Hopefully next time I compete in the circle competition I'll play good enough to get into the second round.

I'm soooo glad it went well at worlds. I felt it worked so good in Montreal, I was really hoping it would become widely accepted as a new competition format, and it's looking like it will. Props Eli and Ianek for the hard work!

BalinorNZ · Post by **BalinorNZ** » 24 Jul 2006 15:22

Sounds like the cirlce competitoin is here to stay

Can't wait to see the footage!

james_dean · Post by **james_dean** » 24 Jul 2006 18:16

I can't believe how exciting this sounded! I can just imagine the atmosphere... man I wish I was there

Go circle contest! Can't wait to participate in one

sniikeri · Post by **sniikeri** » 25 Jul 2006 08:24

It put together all the best parts of routines, shred30 and sick3 plus some special flavor. I liked it.

Asmus · Post by **Asmus** » 25 Jul 2006 08:39

sniikeri wrote:It put together all the best parts of routines, shred30 and sick3 plus some special flavor. I liked it.

I agree.
I didn't really like the idea when I first heard about it. But it blew me AWAY!

sidekick · Post by **sidekick** » 25 Jul 2006 09:21

The US Opens will be hosting this competition during the finals, or at least that's what I'm told. Pretty sure it's just an open competition, but we might host an informal intermediate one for practice, but I'm going to be the MC for it. Tom if you have any helpfull hints, or if anyone has any advice, please PM me or post here.

sampotter · Post by **sampotter** » 25 Jul 2006 10:36

sidekick wrote:The US Opens will be hosting this competition during the finals, or at least that's what I'm told. Pretty sure it's just an open competition, but we might host an informal intermediate one for practice, but I'm going to be the MC for it. Tom if you have any helpfull hints, or if anyone has any advice, please PM me or post here.

SWEET!!! This is about to be huge.

SandWraith · Post by **SandWraith** » 25 Jul 2006 18:17

Just watched a video of the World's Circle competition. It was awesome! Definitely more exciting and more crowd-friendly than any routine, shred30, sick3, or sick1 I have ever seen!

wolfpac444 · Post by **wolfpac444** » 25 Jul 2006 18:52

SandWraith wrote:Just watched a video of the World's Circle competition. It was awesome!

You tease.