Matt - GRASS tidbits (On first page)

Matt K · Post by **Matt K** » 21 Feb 2007 18:52

Goodbye first post, I do not care for thee.

So GRASS was this weekend, and it was really awesome. My third tournament (Worlds 07, Cornell). I got good experience for competing and had a generally great time.

I might do a full writeup soon, but it's not 100%. You can pretty much read Zac's to find out what I did though.

Which brings me to my first notable tidbit from the event: Zac.

Now, you have to understand, Zac and I have been talking online for more than 6 months, like, all the time. We met at Worlds, but we didn't talk that much. We really didn't become friends until we started talking online. One of the first things I said to him when I got to the site on Friday was "Man, it's weird talking to you without a computer in front of me." Luckily, the awkwardness melted away in about 10 minutes. Zac and I hung out for like 98% of this weekend. I don't think there was one circle that we played in without the other. Many a props were given, and many inside jokes were shared. Jay commented on how we would have a little private chat after every string we did, and it really was true. We were probably the two closest friends at the whole tournament. I'm really glad he came, and I hope we cross paths soon again.

Thanks for being my best friend bud.

Next, Johnny's fuckin arm trick

It's one of the weirdest things I've ever seen, and I recommend that everyone ask him to do it when you see him.

Thirdly, this was my second time competing (first at Cornell. Bombed circle)

I competed in Circle, Sick 3 and Sick 1.

I wasn't even going to do Sick 1, but Zac convinced me to, and I signed up like 3 minutes after it started. I hit Blurry Torque 3rd try (should've had that first one. it would've been way better too), and Fairy SS Blender 2nd try after. I didn't place in this event, but I think I got some good experience from it.

Sick 3 I actually had planned on doing, and had a list of 6 possible links that I could do. I don't remember half of them, but I did hit all 6 both sides on Friday and Saturday. Unfortunately, I only hit one. Fortunately, that one got me 3rd place, my first placing in an event. Super happy about this. I picked a kolo shirt as my prize.

Circle was pretty cool. In the first round I hit some pretty cool stuff. Fog both sides to start different runs was really good for me, an no passbacks on those. I didn't hit anything for the last run of the round cause I tried the same link that I dropped, and dropped again. I moved on to semis though, which I totally bombed. I wasn't really mad or disappointed though. I think at this point I wasn't really paying attention to the contest and I was just having fun.

good experience, definitely.

Slowsis · Post by **Slowsis** » 21 Feb 2007 19:26

Good stuff man, and props on getting a blog going. They really help when it comes to putting all your footbag thoughts and plans in one place. We will for sure shred if GRASS goes down again, and maybe some other time this spring or summer.

beenjammin · Post by **beenjammin** » 21 Feb 2007 22:11

I need to hold the clipper for a smidge longer before trying to step out of it again.

If by smidge you mean smudge the that is a pixie illusion, but I am a firm believer in long stalls and slowing down your game or else you will get tired faster.

Matt K · Post by **Matt K** » 22 Feb 2007 18:59

Did some drills, which I usually don't do:

Ripwalk>Spinning Clipper>SS Butterfly (Rpt.)
Pdx Mirage>Legbeater>Butterfly (Rpt.)
Spinning Clipper>Diving Clipper>Infinity (Rpt.)

Really happy about 3 and 4, as I only really started doing Atomics and Diving/Ducking yesterday.

Matt K · Post by **Matt K** » 24 Feb 2007 15:18

Played a bit while I was watching Back to the Future. Only really tried Crispy Swifter. Came close on one side, but no luck. Did some Ripwalks before I stopped. Stepping feels really nice right now, maybe because I watched Final Shred today and was trying to emulate Vasek in that video.

Moxie · Post by **Moxie** » 24 Feb 2007 21:57

My father's initials are M.E.K. and every time I see your blog I think of him.

Matt K · Post by **Matt K** » 25 Feb 2007 07:53

I live to please.

Went back later last night and fooled around a bit more. Hit some Spinning Ducking stuff; I think Clipper and Osis. Couldn't get the duck on Flip, the bag kept getting caught on my neck. Tried some ducking moves like Tomahawk and Mind Bender. I hit Tomahwak on one side (my weak whirl; wtf right?) and fell over when I tried Mind Bender. I had a good laugh at that one.

Matt K · Post by **Matt K** » 25 Feb 2007 16:05

I decided I need to fix my massive-support-leg-bend when I do Clippers.

Until then I shall be doing nothing but Toe>Toe. Specifically, making my Atomic much better. Speaking of which I figured out how to do Atomic more effeciently and hit Atom Smasher a lot.

dazza · Post by **dazza** » 27 Feb 2007 07:34

Yo Matt, have checked out the drill suggestions that i posted in your
challenge thingy ?

Matt K · Post by **Matt K** » 27 Feb 2007 12:22

Yeah, I tried a few of them. No dice.

Matt K · Post by **Matt K** » 01 Mar 2007 14:24

Had a short session where I really only played for a good 15-20 minutes.

I tried a lot of Flails; I didn't really come close to any of them, but now (as apposed to last summer) I'm not just jumping and trying to move my leg, I've actually got a rotation. It's still not a big enough dex window, but I know I'll get if I keep working on it (<3 footbag)

Tried a few Maelstroms. Got a good look at all of them. Spinning Ducking is surprisingly easy, and I think my whole Spinning technique has improved all together. Now I just need to fix my clippers....

Matt K · Post by **Matt K** » 04 Mar 2007 17:09

Played in shoes today, which felt good after a couple short sock sessions. I didn't play for too long or try any drills but I did get two cool things:

Flip Pixie SS Swirl
Spinning Osis B2B

Will Digges · Post by **Will Digges** » 05 Mar 2007 06:08

Hey Matt,

We need to shred again soon, it seems like you have improved a lot since the last time we played together. I currently have monday and wednesday and every other saturday off from work, and i'm always free on sunday. The days off are subject to change soon, because a lot of people left work for sports. I will let you know if/when they change, but as of now these are my days free. Just let me know whenever you want to play, if you have a day planned, just send me a PM ahead of time so I know, or post in my blog or something. I think played together will help both of our games, playing with and seeing new styles always sparks new concepts. Lemme know whats up, and keep up the good work.

Peace!

Matt K · Post by **Matt K** » 27 Mar 2007 17:09

Huh, I never even saw that ^.

Played a lot in the past few days. Over the weekend I hit Stepping Op. Swirl on both sides, really happy about that one.

Really improved my stepping yesterday by watching Jim Penske, hit Blurry Whirl and Food Processer easy on both sides; almost ducked a few steps, no cigar though.

I played at school and outside, both for the first time this year. Had about a 30 minute session with my friend and had a few good strings. Footed Marius out of no where. Hit a perfect Flip Mobius. Wowed a lot of kids that were watching. Took some requests.

Played later today as well. Worked Infinities and Whirls. Got 24 Infinities and probably a dozen contacts of Whirl>Butterfly; focusing more on ending each trick with a nice smooth downward motion makes each link a lot easier. Finished off with Paradon both sides, again, emulating Mr. Penske.

Matt K · Post by **Matt K** » 28 Mar 2007 14:29

My form sucks and it's hard to fix. Stupid form.

Hit BS Smear on both sides and a few Paradons. Got a clean DDD on one side, kept missing the second dex on the other.

Someone needs to make a machine that tells your body what perfect clipper form is; I wish.

david · Post by **david** » 28 Mar 2007 14:41

if grass goes down i can help you with clipper form there. i hope you go if it does. bag will be done soon.

dc

Matt K · Post by **Matt K** » 30 Mar 2007 15:15

15 minute driveway session:

Hit Vortex and Mobius easy(!). Never even hit Vortex before, got it on <5 attempts on both sides. I've hit Mobius before, but these were totally perfect; extremly controlled. Yay for new better style of spinning!

Matt K · Post by **Matt K** » 01 Apr 2007 17:57

Playing footbag is awesome.
Playing footbag while you're sick is slightly less awesome.

Oh well, still had a good session. Tried Toe Whirl>Blur for a long while; only could get the first two contacts on either side. I think I need to do the Whirl dex higher so there's more downtime on my clipper to step out of.

Did some Stepping Whirls, which I've never really had a handle on. They were fun.

Matt K · Post by **Matt K** » 02 Apr 2007 15:02

Awesometastic 2 1/2 hour session with Will; first non-solo session since before winter.

I played really well, shuffle all over the place, a few 5s thrown in, stepped out of some Whirls, hit drills.

Hit Stepping Blender and Blur>Pixie SS Clipper>Ripwalk (Rpt.); probably my highlights.

Will got High Stepping Swirl and Marius and came oh so close to Nebula>Phoenix>Blurriest Swirl.

Best day in a long while.

Will Digges · Post by **Will Digges** » 02 Apr 2007 15:22

Very sick session matt we will have to start shredding every sunday and monday, im totally down. This was a warmup for me haven't played in a week. you have improved so much since I last saw you, see yah next time!