Do You Actually Try To Get Better

[shredzilla]

I have to say that I am disappointed in alot of videos of people who have been playing for YEARS and have been members of this forum for almost as long as they've been playing, yet haven't gotten any better than they were after a few months.

This statement is absurd to me because it gives no examples of who brad is talking about. It just makes a blanket statement that covers anyone who may feel insecure about their progress.

That said, the thread has actually made a turn for the better thanks to some insightful posts that followed. I haven't been playing for YEARS, but I'm going to come up on 2 years in June, when I got my first pair of lavers. I wish I could play every single day, 2-3 hours a day. But my shins simply can't take it. Bad luck I guess. Still, I manage to improve over time. I hit like 7 new moves in the past couple days.

I play the game because I LOVE the game. I like textbook shred, and I like weird stuff like frigid set far mirage and stuff like that. I get a thrill out of hitting a move that feels and looks really cool. And I get a thrill out of performing well in a circle shred, since that has been a handicap in the past. I have always had a hard time in circles until lately. The last two I've been in, I played great, even close to my own expectations. That's improvement.

I have to say though, I do get upset, depressed, whatever when I feel like maybe I'm unable to improve further. Part of what keeps me going is hitting those new moves I've drooled at since I started, improving my string length, guiltless contact length, unique guiltless, etc. But because of my love for the sport, and my desire to get better for my own enjoyment, I manage to tough it through those times. I play this sport because it's the most enjoyable thing I've ever done, and I never get tired of doing it.

[ObArA'BaRs]

Modified is inspiration to me. It's what keeps me going(and jordans old cool videos). To me theres no point of starting what you cant finish, and when I say finish I mean not being able to play. I plan to shred until my bones are dust.

I really dont even get why this thread was made?
Its sad just to think about it

[bigdirtyfoot]

I really just play to have fun - I've never played to compete and I don't see what's wrong with that. Who cares if I've played for years and can't hit something to amaze the crowd? I amaze myself and I think that counts plenty.

[professor]

I don't try. I only do.



Oh, and it's Jorden.

and jordans old cool videos

[Anz]

Maybe it's 'cause most of this forum users are just bunch of nerds who claim to be footbaggers but all they do is hang around on the forum and post on Kicking Circle. And maybe that's why many good players don't post here as much as they used to.

[edit] a drunken post...

[C-Fan]

Splint: what's the objective of this thread? Are you calling people out? Complaining that we aren't entertaining you enough?

As several people here have already pointed out, progress in footbag isn't always a function of a person's passion. Different work schedules, responsibilities, and physical capabilities dictate our different speeds of progress. You know this yourself from personal experience.

I'm also sure you're aware that a lot of people are progressing quickly; its just that not all of them post (or post videos) on this site.

In my personal opinion, I think people are progressing at a much faster rate today than during the late 90s, when you and I were fresh on the scene. Personally, I think that's extremely exciting.

Are there some people who are at the prime of their careers and are not advancing because they lack passion? Probably. But I would say they are in the minority. There are also other players who are not advancing, but can't be faulted for it because they hold real jobs, or are getting older, etc. You know how it is. I just think that in the past it was easier to ignore this phenomenon, because high level footbag wasn't as physically demanding.

Do a lot of people on this forum complain a lot? Yes. Do these people represent what is happening in footbag? Maybe to a small extent, but I would argue that largely they don't. Modified is a sample of the footbag community; it is NOT the footbag community.

[Splint]

Okay, let me clear a few things up.
First off, I don't play anymore because I have now had two back surgeries and I'm physically incapable of playing. My heart and mind are still in footbag. I still play in my mind as I'm falling asleep and pretend to hit combos while I'm standing in line at the store.

Chris, I didn't call anyone out specifically because I'm not out to publicly embarass anyone.

In part I started this thread, because I honestly wondered how many people who play actually try to improve their game. I know that for a few years I just tried to maintain the game I had, then I got motivated to try and improve it. At that time I had my first surgery and that was the end of that. It became about just maintaining again.
So part of this thread was just a genuine interest about whether or not people are out to really improve their game or just maintain.

Most everyone made very good points about everyone's lives being different and everyone having different priorities that may hinder their abilities to dedicate much time to footbag.

I realize I offended some people here and I'm sorry about that. I would just love to see everyone reach their true potential in the sport. A big part of that is the old man in me that regrets that I can no longer do it.

[shreddaily]

nah I haven't been trieing to get better lately, but I'd like to think I could and will when I want to again.

I don't particuarly feel lke commenting on most of the original post, but I would like to say sometimes a shorter run length is a sign of IMPROVEMENT!! I know when I was at my best my run length was less than half then when I was pretty limited in my variety.

[Asmus]

Maybe it's 'cause most of this forum users are just bunch of nerds who claim to be footbaggers but all they do is hang around on the forum and post on Kicking Circle. And maybe that's why many good players don't post here as much as they used to.

[edit] a drunken post...

You will only hear the truth from the drunk and the kids.



I try to get better..

[Jorden]

This is how I see it.

The players that play footbag simply for fun or to have a nice style hit a barrier fairly early on, and improvement slows to a crawl due to lack of focused training.

Another set of players play mainly to get better.

The problem with 'getting better' is that there is no end to this goal. Don't set goals that are unreachable -- it's useless and can only lead to frustration.

These people often hit a barrier as well, for two reasons: 1) burnout due to an unreachable goal or 2) pushing for more and more elements, but no longer revising and schooling the basics.


Then there are a select few that believe that every trick they do can always be done better. Even the most dialed move can be tweaked to expend even less energy and be more versatile for linking into other tricks. No trick, no matter how flawless it appears, is ever perfect. They are always experimenting with new ways to improve every area of their style.
These people stop and think, after every drop, why they dropped and what aspect of their technique caused the drop. Keep in mind -- playing a lot won't fix errors. Spotting and fixing your errors will fix your errors.

Not listening to your body or having a "stubborn style" will only slow progress. Let the footbag tell you what style you should have. Don't try to fight against how the bag naturally wants to move!

Basically, to improve, there is no set formula. You have to use everything at your disposal. Ask others what worked for them. Do everything you can possibly think of that might or could help. Oh, and crosstraining is definitely a good idea.

Be like the 3rd group!

Jorden

[habitat]

I stopped trying to get better right around last May. I've noticed I really need other people to play with or I lose the fun atmosphere of just playing some footbag with friends, no pressure. Basically, my progression rate skyrockets when I have a solid shred partner.

Solo shred leads me to a place similar to what Jorden described as setting unreachable goals and not revising and schooling the basics leading to frustration. It's not necessary, but it really helps me to have someone there saying "Wasn't even close" or "Try that again" or "Maybe you should try this instead" I need someone to get stoked on my shred as well as some shred for me to get stoked on. The notion of trying to get better by myself everyday is contrary to my lack of passion.


EDIT: Once I re-read Jorden's post, what I'm trying to say is I have a hard time spotting my errors and even a harder of a time fixing them. Having a partner corrects that.

[BalinorNZ]

Good post Jorden.

[Dave Da]

The problem I see with progession is the lack of players in concentrated areas. Until recently i didnt know any legitimate players in my area. I have met a fw of them and played with a few of them and after just one session with people who were better than me I got better. I saw what the could do and I WANTED IT. I WANTED to hit the stuff they were hitting.

If u play alone your whole "career" you have no basis of your competition except what you see in videos and what people post on Modified. Im relatively new to freestyle, I set goals per day. I know right now what i can and cannot do. I read about a trick that i may be able to do and Ill try it. If it feels good I go for it again and again until I hit it. U HAVE TO WANT TO IMPROVE. That is pretty much it I think someone already mentioned this.

Modified is a place to learn and to ask questions. It really isnt a place to lounge around and talk about what u want to do or what u did over and over again. Modified to me has pretty much been the reason I get better its where I met everyone who I play with now. Its basically footbags mecca we all go here to have our community through the ease of the internet. Since footbag is a spread out sport we can gather here as one.

I got a little off topic but U HAVE TO WANT IT. Thats all. U can go out and hit that mirage over and over again but if u dont wanna take it to another level and learn a pdx Mirage then thats on you. Its not the sport that lost passion its the people who just GIVE UP.

JUST WANT IT There is no end to this sport if u want to take it as far as u can

[Michu]

I 100% agree with jorden.