Is the gap closing?

max · Post by **max** » 20 Feb 2007 09:48

From what he was saying in Paris, he plays about once a month. With that kind rhythm one can only progress so fast. As those who kicked with him said: he wasn't pushing his game at all.

beenjammin · Post by **beenjammin** » 20 Feb 2007 10:40

Maybe the question shouldnt be about whos better, but rather who is living up to their potential the most?

beenjammin · Post by **beenjammin** » 20 Feb 2007 10:42

IN which case I would say Vasek, sorry about doubling. Is Vaska Still dating Misa?

Drew · Post by **Drew** » 20 Feb 2007 11:22

max wrote:From what he was saying in Paris, he plays about once a month. With that kind rhythm one can only progress so fast. As those who kicked with him said: he wasn't pushing his game at all.

That's interesting.

I know I haven't been playing anywhere near as long as most of you, but I think from his most recent videos, his technique, control and style are ridiculously toned. He does all the top tricks like I do mirage, 9 out of 10 times. Or so it seems, like others have said, only one angle is given in a video.

If he has been shredding once a month lately, maybe it's because he wants some good competition. I don't know about him, but being world champ for so long and having few contenders would bore the fuck out of me. so maybe he just wants to take a break, let someone else get their shot in the limelight.

Just a thought, but I think he has alot more to show off then what is in these Paris videos. There's a reason K-Swiss wants him in their commercials.

jon · Post by **jon** » 20 Feb 2007 11:49

From now on I am only going to play once a month and wear a tuque whenever I do play. See you at all at worlds

ShredOnLawn · Post by **ShredOnLawn** » 20 Feb 2007 12:22

I just saw Vasek do a one handed handstand with the footbag.

Now the gap is even bigger.

B_Man · Post by **B_Man** » 20 Feb 2007 20:14

the Executioner · Post by **the Executioner** » 20 Feb 2007 21:37

The gap is closing.

Speaking from experience, winning worlds multiple times tends to take a bit of the fire out of your desire to push yourself to your utmost footbag limits.

Until you are beaten at worlds.

Nobody's beaten the guy in years. Once that happens I think you'll see him playing more than once a month.

I'm looking forward to seeing what goes down at worlds this year.

The thing is, no one should underestimate Vasek. He is truly incredible and in his own class. However, there are some players who are serious about their game who will step up this year. So, I agree that we really cant truly answer this question until the summer in Florida. At this point we can only offer opinions.

Just call me hagesy · Post by **Just call me hagesy** » 21 Feb 2007 13:20

maybe vasek only plays footbag once a month because footbag bores him.

Splint · Post by **Splint** » 21 Feb 2007 13:28

I remember when Ryan Mulroney won a bunch of the major tournaments including two years at World's and he was really the best at the time. His combinations and consistency were incredible. The heresay was that he got bored of not being truly challenged and by the time that happened he was kind of fed up with organized footbag.

Along comes Vasek who has raised the bar well beyond Ryan and he has seriously been unchallenged. I see what Pete is saying and he may step up if he's ever beat, or he may just fade away because it took too long for someone to beat him and his heart won't be in it anymore. Then again, with new things happening and the incentives that Europe has brought through sponsorships and commercial opportunities, there may be more and more reason for Vasek to step up and keep his 'A' game.

Honestly, there have been some players out there who quit prematurely who would have totally given Vasek a run for his money.

jon · Post by **jon** » 21 Feb 2007 14:11

Splint wrote:Honestly, there have been some players out there who quit prematurely who would have totally given Vasek a run for his money.

Please give examples.

Zjeezy · Post by **Zjeezy** » 21 Feb 2007 14:17

james risden

david · Post by **david** » 21 Feb 2007 15:22

Um, Jorden beat Vasek. So the whole "him comming back with desire" didn't work with that, but routines is diff than shred 30, so maybe.

sidekick · Post by **sidekick** » 22 Feb 2007 08:09

jon wrote:
Splint wrote:Honestly, there have been some players out there who quit prematurely who would have totally given Vasek a run for his money.
Please give examples.

Ricky Moran ( he had to quit becuase of an injury though)

jon · Post by **jon** » 22 Feb 2007 08:39

sidekick wrote:
jon wrote:
Splint wrote:Honestly, there have been some players out there who quit prematurely who would have totally given Vasek a run for his money.
Please give examples.
Ricky Moran ( he had to quit becuase of an injury though)

This was actually a name I considered when I first read splint's post. However, in footbag as with other sports I have always been disinclinded to speculate on the future potential of athletes when trying to compare them to the the best of the best. Sure James Risden and Ricky were great players with amazing potential and great game but who is to know if and/or when they would have plateaued if they continued to play or remained uninjured. Part of what make Vasek so great is that he was able to stay healthy and seeminlgy progress at a high level for a long period of time. Form and training as much as skill are huge factors when comes to remaining injury free. Also I think its worth considered the age of players being compared. Vasek, Jorden, ect.. started out in their footbag career at a perfect age for footbag and when comparing other players that could potentially have been as good one must consider their age(s). Almost all players slow down their level of progression as they get older (although I believe the currently accepted age of this slow down is much too young, and feel this way because in other sports similar to footbag the peak age of performance is slightly older then what we see in footbag today). Truth be told I am interested in know who else people believe could have "given Vasek a run for his money" because I truely believe the answer is no one.

footymatt · Post by **footymatt** » 22 Feb 2007 13:23

jon wrote:
sidekick wrote:
jon wrote: Please give examples.
Ricky Moran ( he had to quit becuase of an injury though)
This was actually a name I considered when I first read splint's post. However, in footbag as with other sports I have always been disinclinded to speculate on the future potential of athletes when trying to compare them to the the best of the best. Sure James Risden and Ricky were great players with amazing potential and great game but who is to know if and/or when they would have plateaued if they continued to play or remained uninjured. Part of what make Vasek so great is that he was able to stay healthy and seeminlgy progress at a high level for a long period of time. Form and training as much as skill are huge factors when comes to remaining injury free. Also I think its worth considered the age of players being compared. Vasek, Jorden, ect.. started out in their footbag career at a perfect age for footbag and when comparing other players that could potentially have been as good one must consider their age(s). Almost all players slow down their level of progression as they get older (although I believe the currently accepted age of this slow down is much too young, and feel this way because in other sports similar to footbag the peak age of performance is slightly older then what we see in footbag today). Truth be told I am interested in know who else people believe could have "given Vasek a run for his money" because I truely believe the answer is no one.

Ahh posh! I coulda gave him a run for his money! Well if I started playing footbag at 11 instead of 23! But now...I'm soon getting to that point you're talking about in age. My game seems to get better but I don't have the energy to do it too much (you have to take my "other than footbag" life into account).

But one thing no one has addressed is what about when vasek stops playing altogether, and the next generations of players to follow him then surpass him in "skill". Although he won't be playing to defend himself, whats not to say this same topic gets posted with the title being "would vasek been able to beat _(new world champs name here)__ if he was still around?".

My point being, all footbag knows now; is what is now known. The future is open, somebody else could (in theory) beat him at worlds this year. Who knows the possibility that some guy no bodies ever heard comes out of woodworks and beats em is there. It's remote but it's there. an extreme. As far as I think for real though, he'll win. Practicing once a month or not, he's got alot of experiance beating alot of people. The sad thing is that when he does finish footbag, he'll still (probably) have to explain to people what footbag is, and that he was world champ ump-teen times. Not like being a superbowl champ, everybody knows what sport that is.

BTW I mean not to offend, just my point of view. later

RawSko · Post by **RawSko** » 22 Feb 2007 18:55

footymatt wrote:
jon wrote:
sidekick wrote: Ricky Moran ( he had to quit becuase of an injury though)
This was actually a name I considered when I first read splint's post. However, in footbag as with other sports I have always been disinclinded to speculate on the future potential of athletes when trying to compare them to the the best of the best. Sure James Risden and Ricky were great players with amazing potential and great game but who is to know if and/or when they would have plateaued if they continued to play or remained uninjured. Part of what make Vasek so great is that he was able to stay healthy and seeminlgy progress at a high level for a long period of time. Form and training as much as skill are huge factors when comes to remaining injury free. Also I think its worth considered the age of players being compared. Vasek, Jorden, ect.. started out in their footbag career at a perfect age for footbag and when comparing other players that could potentially have been as good one must consider their age(s). Almost all players slow down their level of progression as they get older (although I believe the currently accepted age of this slow down is much too young, and feel this way because in other sports similar to footbag the peak age of performance is slightly older then what we see in footbag today). Truth be told I am interested in know who else people believe could have "given Vasek a run for his money" because I truely believe the answer is no one.
Ahh posh! I coulda gave him a run for his money! Well if I started playing footbag at 11 instead of 23! But now...I'm soon getting to that point you're talking about in age. My game seems to get better but I don't have the energy to do it too much (you have to take my "other than footbag" life into account).

But one thing no one has addressed is what about when vasek stops playing altogether, and the next generations of players to follow him then surpass him in "skill". Although he won't be playing to defend himself, whats not to say this same topic gets posted with the title being "would vasek been able to beat _(new world champs name here)__ if he was still around?".

My point being, all footbag knows now; is what is now known. The future is open, somebody else could (in theory) beat him at worlds this year. Who knows the possibility that some guy no bodies ever heard comes out of woodworks and beats em is there. It's remote but it's there. an extreme. As far as I think for real though, he'll win. Practicing once a month or not, he's got alot of experiance beating alot of people. The sad thing is that when he does finish footbag, he'll still (probably) have to explain to people what footbag is, and that he was world champ ump-teen times. Not like being a superbowl champ, everybody knows what sport that is.

BTW I mean not to offend, just my point of view. later

did you see the new Rocky movie?

mentor · Post by **mentor** » 23 Feb 2007 01:22

Quotes*5

did you see the new Rocky movie?

Ha ha ha ha!

footymatt · Post by **footymatt** » 23 Feb 2007 04:42

RawSko wrote:
footymatt wrote:
jon wrote: This was actually a name I considered when I first read splint's post. However, in footbag as with other sports I have always been disinclinded to speculate on the future potential of athletes when trying to compare them to the the best of the best. Sure James Risden and Ricky were great players with amazing potential and great game but who is to know if and/or when they would have plateaued if they continued to play or remained uninjured. Part of what make Vasek so great is that he was able to stay healthy and seeminlgy progress at a high level for a long period of time. Form and training as much as skill are huge factors when comes to remaining injury free. Also I think its worth considered the age of players being compared. Vasek, Jorden, ect.. started out in their footbag career at a perfect age for footbag and when comparing other players that could potentially have been as good one must consider their age(s). Almost all players slow down their level of progression as they get older (although I believe the currently accepted age of this slow down is much too young, and feel this way because in other sports similar to footbag the peak age of performance is slightly older then what we see in footbag today). Truth be told I am interested in know who else people believe could have "given Vasek a run for his money" because I truely believe the answer is no one.
Ahh posh! I coulda gave him a run for his money! Well if I started playing footbag at 11 instead of 23! But now...I'm soon getting to that point you're talking about in age. My game seems to get better but I don't have the energy to do it too much (you have to take my "other than footbag" life into account).

But one thing no one has addressed is what about when vasek stops playing altogether, and the next generations of players to follow him then surpass him in "skill". Although he won't be playing to defend himself, whats not to say this same topic gets posted with the title being "would vasek been able to beat _(new world champs name here)__ if he was still around?".

My point being, all footbag knows now; is what is now known. The future is open, somebody else could (in theory) beat him at worlds this year. Who knows the possibility that some guy no bodies ever heard comes out of woodworks and beats em is there. It's remote but it's there. an extreme. As far as I think for real though, he'll win. Practicing once a month or not, he's got alot of experiance beating alot of people. The sad thing is that when he does finish footbag, he'll still (probably) have to explain to people what footbag is, and that he was world champ ump-teen times. Not like being a superbowl champ, everybody knows what sport that is.

BTW I mean not to offend, just my point of view. later
did you see the new Rocky movie?

Ha ha, yes. Along the same lines

footymatt · Post by **footymatt** » 23 Feb 2007 04:43

RawSko wrote:
footymatt wrote:
jon wrote: This was actually a name I considered when I first read splint's post. However, in footbag as with other sports I have always been disinclinded to speculate on the future potential of athletes when trying to compare them to the the best of the best. Sure James Risden and Ricky were great players with amazing potential and great game but who is to know if and/or when they would have plateaued if they continued to play or remained uninjured. Part of what make Vasek so great is that he was able to stay healthy and seeminlgy progress at a high level for a long period of time. Form and training as much as skill are huge factors when comes to remaining injury free. Also I think its worth considered the age of players being compared. Vasek, Jorden, ect.. started out in their footbag career at a perfect age for footbag and when comparing other players that could potentially have been as good one must consider their age(s). Almost all players slow down their level of progression as they get older (although I believe the currently accepted age of this slow down is much too young, and feel this way because in other sports similar to footbag the peak age of performance is slightly older then what we see in footbag today). Truth be told I am interested in know who else people believe could have "given Vasek a run for his money" because I truely believe the answer is no one.
Ahh posh! I coulda gave him a run for his money! Well if I started playing footbag at 11 instead of 23! But now...I'm soon getting to that point you're talking about in age. My game seems to get better but I don't have the energy to do it too much (you have to take my "other than footbag" life into account).

But one thing no one has addressed is what about when vasek stops playing altogether, and the next generations of players to follow him then surpass him in "skill". Although he won't be playing to defend himself, whats not to say this same topic gets posted with the title being "would vasek been able to beat _(new world champs name here)__ if he was still around?".

My point being, all footbag knows now; is what is now known. The future is open, somebody else could (in theory) beat him at worlds this year. Who knows the possibility that some guy no bodies ever heard comes out of woodworks and beats em is there. It's remote but it's there. an extreme. As far as I think for real though, he'll win. Practicing once a month or not, he's got alot of experiance beating alot of people. The sad thing is that when he does finish footbag, he'll still (probably) have to explain to people what footbag is, and that he was world champ ump-teen times. Not like being a superbowl champ, everybody knows what sport that is.

BTW I mean not to offend, just my point of view. later
did you see the new Rocky movie?

Ha ha, yes. Along the same lines

modified

Is the gap closing?

Is the gap closer than it was in past years?