this got me angry

Wasabi · Post by **Wasabi** » 20 Sep 2006 03:51

I guess I'm between a stage 3 and 4. I call it footbag, don't care if people call it HACK, HACKY SACK, SHRED, and I give the sport pet names (kicky bag being the most prominent) and yell out "TRADEMARKED!" whenever HACKY SACK is mentioned.

Too much capitalization, more discussion.

Personally, I think people just don't see that footbag is actually a 'lifestyle' and a 'sport' more than something you can just pass the time kicking a beanbag around. That stereotype has stuck for decades, and the more common interpretation of this sport is often related to hippy connotations and illegal drug use. The general opinion of people seeing footbag have not yet realized that there are efforts and more progression into this sport being an 'actual' sport and drifting away from these misconceptions that have long lived the test of time. Change is a hard thing to manage for the general consensus of the population. However, the advancement of the sport is not hindered in any way, though it isn't progressing any faster just yet.

I believe before the announcement in Funtastiks in Scott Davidson's Hall of Fame speech is there a program that he is leading specifically made to instruct people on the sport of freestyle footbag. The credentials that make the sport, it's rich history, and the growing popularity of freestyle will be made fully aware there. I'm sure if enough effort and support is done with this instructing program, the advancement of freestyle footbag will be made much more popular than any news article we see that makes mention of the word footbag. I think it will be a great hallmark for the footbag community, lifestyle, sport and overall journey into the upcoming years to advance footbag into the mainstream.

Kudos to Scott Davidson. Don't let ignorance take you over when there is a larger campaign that is slowly growing to be big.

edit: America's Got Talent? More like America's Got Entertainment.

james_dean · Post by **james_dean** » 20 Sep 2006 06:49

I read an article in a magazine today on parkour. It really bugged me that it's such a young sport, way younger than footbag, and yet so much more popular. Just cause it looks cool. Lame. And until then I didn't think I cared about footbag's popularity, guess I was wrong.

Shredfish · Post by **Shredfish** » 20 Sep 2006 12:33

Parkour is an amazing activity/sport and I admire those who are dedicated enough and have the courage to do the things they do. (Sebastian Foucan, David Belle)

I see what you mean. Footbag is alot easier to start, and it's so hard to relate to people who see footbag and think..."waste of time".
There's just something about footbag that seems to turn people off imediately...

james_dean · Post by **james_dean** » 20 Sep 2006 16:58

Oh yeah, I didn't mean to rag on parkour, I love it! If it wouldn't destroy my ankles/knees and therefore hamper footbag, I would definately be a freerunner.

Parkour is an amazing activity/sport and I admire those who are dedicated enough and have the courage to do the things they do. (Sebastian Foucan, David Belle)

Thanks to that article, I actually know who they are

caseyweed · Post by **caseyweed** » 22 Sep 2006 07:28

I parkour with a friend of mine occasionally. It's quite the fun activity. But I prefer shred so much more. But I do tend to notice that people think that when we do parkour it's much cooler than when we (actually I) shred.

Adam Schuler · Post by **Adam Schuler** » 22 Sep 2006 14:28

I was the one that made that thread on the NBC site after i found out NBC had a forum to chat on. I made it shortly after i read a thread on here about a person trying out for the show but got kinda shunned. Pretty sure it was factual so i just decided to put it on that forum since it was just for general discussion about the show to see what other people thought.

So, are you mad at me or the one who said footbag was easy? You never really specified.

gMoney · Post by **gMoney** » 22 Sep 2006 20:44

naw i was mad at the dude that said it was easy. sorry for not being specific.

Adam Schuler · Post by **Adam Schuler** » 22 Sep 2006 20:53

No thats alright. After reading all the posts and stuff i figured it was about the other guy.

It was funny i went to this section of the modified forum and saw the thread name and was thinkin "this will be interesting to see what made this guy angry" and then i clicked the link and saw my name and started sweating.

Oroza · Post by **Oroza** » 23 Sep 2006 03:26

parkour... technically its movements have been around since martial arts, so it predates footbag in THAT sense....its the improvisational freestyle aspect thats been applied to those moves thats new...

james_dean · Post by **james_dean** » 23 Sep 2006 06:10

Oroza wrote:parkour... technically its movements have been around since martial arts, so it predates footbag in THAT sense....its the improvisational freestyle aspect thats been applied to those moves thats new...

Technically people have kicked around objects with their feet for thousands of years, too

I was referring to the modern incantations of both disciplines.

Skippy! · Post by **Skippy!** » 23 Sep 2006 09:30

Definitely at stage 3, half stage 4. I stopped giving a shit about people calling it hacky sack, because me reaming them for it makes me look like more of an elitist. Not down.

EDIT: I've given up on trying to show up hackyslackers or make them convert or any of that sort of stuff. Honestly, if I see some hackers and I feel like kicking, I'll kick. Maybe do a few tricks, but nothing huge. There's no use in intimidating people by busting large because they'll just get on the defensive.

Tripp · Post by **Tripp** » 23 Sep 2006 19:47

Footbag, Shmootbag.