Cross Training

[Rising]

So, i was just reviewing the "21 ways to become a better shredder" and wondered if anyone had a good suggestion for cross-training. i mean, there's obvious choices like running, biking, etc... to build endurance and the like, but can anyone give me something that would build dexterity and perhaps coordination as well?

Any input is appreciated Thanks in advance!

[Benzilla]

I don't know anything about cross training to build dexterity.

But If you do want to build endurance by running ( using this example because i know more about it) you will need to run correctly and properly in order to minimalize injuries when running.


-Stretch like hell. Calfs, quads, u know...leg stretches.
-Watch out for shin splints.
-Run on grass AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE (this will minimize the strain on
your ankles, feet and knees.)
-Start with a warm up, then have a good run of a few miles or so, then cool down. With 6-10 min intervals between each run and stretch during the intervals.

That is procedure i go through now that i have started cross-country and haven't had any downsides from it besides being tired.

Hope I helped

[Bringerofpie]

Get a half ball or a step and put one foot on that and the other on the ground and jump back and forth to build coordination. I used to barely be able to walk a straight line and that helped me a lot.

[Zac Miley]

but can anyone give me something that would build dexterity and perhaps coordination as well?

If you're looking for something actually fun, juggling and soccer are both good.

[StephenT91]

I can't really tell you more than this.

Aggressive skating. It's super fun, I've been doing it for about 5 years now. Skating rails and such builds up tons of coordination for your legs and feet especially once you get good enough to be doing technical stuff such as spins to grinds, tru-spins, and some technical grinds like savannahs or acid souls.

And it's also probably very good for dexterities. I can't prove that, but I'm sure it is.

I just started actually hacking like 4 or 5 days ago with only 3 sessions, and I can inside kick pretty good, straight up a lot of the time, I can almost around the world, and I can get a clipper every now and then.

Skating helps me adapt to almost any sport I try that invloves a lot of legs. I've started snowboarding and wakeboarding in the past year (only snowboarded once, but I love it) and after about a month of wakeboarding I can clear the wake and 180 which isn't too bad I think.

So skating would be the way to go for me.

I think it's probably funner than footbag, but I just started footbag, so I could be wrong. It's still great though.

[Chim-Chim]

joined modified july 22.. just started hacking 4 or 5 days ago. so yeah hacking for 2 or 3 days and maybe a 2 mile bike ride should get someone into good enough shape to start freestyling and giving advice to do the same.

Hacking till u can get 40 or 50 contacts and biking (and stretching after either) should get your strength and dexterity to a good point. Make sure you use both legs. The hacking is good for both dexterity and coordination, the biking is good to build some stability and muscle endurance.

[Bringerofpie]

Jumping rope? I don't know, I'm just throwing stuff out there.

[StephenT91]

joined modified july 22.. just started hacking 4 or 5 days ago.

I joined before I even knew to buy lavers or which bag to get. Then it took a couple weeks to convince my mom that I wanted to join this sport after I had done research and found out what I needed to do. We went on vacation for a week, so I couldn't order my stuff or it would get here and be sitting here, then I ordered my lavers and mr. sandbags and tricks of the trade.

That puts me at like August 20-somthing.

Modded lavers, started watching Tricks of the Trade, then school started.

Yeah. 4 or 5 days. I kicked a couple times before a week ago, but nothing more than a 2 minute thing.

[dp]

Stephen, you don't play footbag, and giving advice about cross training for a sport which you don't even play yet is frowned upon, to say the least? Also skating isn't cross training, unless you already are a very good skater, it's playing a completely different sport and to use it as cross training would be very inefficient for anyone who doesn't already skate.

For cross training I run anywhere from 1-3 times a week, usually for about 30-35 minutes, and I also try to go on an hour long bike ride at least once a week. When I don't run or bike for a long time, say maybe 2 weeks, I can start to feel more pains and aches after footbag, so recently I make sure to cross train. I can't be sure, but I believe it helps my game, and prevents injury very well for myself.

Another thing you might want to do is find a couple exercises for knee, ankle, and hip strengthening. I do ankle strengthening exercises about 3 times and week and knee exercises twice a week.

[BenRea]

funner

That's not a word.

[The Rhino]

Dance Dance Revolution

[PoisonTaffy]

Aggressive skating.

To augment various comments regarding your post:

I've skated for around 7 years, quit, and footbag is the sport I recently started in order to fill the gap.

Skating is fun, beautiful and extremely rewarding sport. If you're not already good at it, you need to make it your #1 interest for quite some time in order to see any results. Even then, it's a sport that wears your body down and may hinder any other sport you partake in.

It's not a good cross training choice Because:

1) It has a steep learning curve, like footbag, thus requiring plenty of time and devotion to get anywhere useful as a beginner.

2) It can be quite expensive, especially if you park skate often. Beginners don't enjoy street as much as experienced skaters do.

3) Very high risk of injury. Injuries will keep you from footbagging for months in order to heal.

4) Bad for your knees even without the injuries

5) What you said about improving coordination is, in my opinion, a personal observation. My good friend has been the top skater in Israel for around 8 years and now he's still one of the top 5, he became a sponsored snowboarder within a year of snowboarding, but the several time we kicked together, he didn't show any special knack for footbag. The guy is a talented athlete, but 10+ years of skating didn't make him better than an average beginner of footbag.

[Benzilla]

I think skateboarding would be a good cross training option due to my own personal experiences.

I've started skate boarding and can ollie after 4-5 days of skateboarding. Attempting and completing an ollie requires timing, foot coordination and endurance, in the legs after multiple attempts atleast.

If anyone else has any opinions please post them.

[Rising]

i've thought about it, and i think i might go with swimming for endurance. No impact, so it won't be hard on my legs and i can save that for footbag :]

As for skating, i think i agree with those that said it isn't the best choice. i skated for awhile a few years ago.. i can still ollie and form a kickflip.. but it does require a decent amount of time in itself to progress. i'd rather devote that time to footbag. :] Also, there's more chance of getting hurt there. Not that it scares me (lol) it's just that if i accidentally injure myself, i could be out for some time.

it's definitely an option, and might be more easily considered if you had a desire to do that as well.. because there is a chance that the coordination and such required for tricks in skating could rub off on your footbag game. *shrug*

EDIT: i mostly recycled InfecedTofu's points.. but hey, some good points were made :] lol.

[Dat]

Skateboarding is good for footbag if you learn to ride both ways, not including tricks. I think the balance for skateboarding is closely related to the balance required for clippers.

[Shawni]

Isn't doing an aerobics class a good option also? I mean...you know..for cross training. Kickboxing aerobics seemed to help me understand balance, timing, dexterity, coordination and form. It also gave me the idea to practice in front of a mirror before I read Moir's sticky. Oh, and you have to show up for class or you fail so...it's like you are forcing a cross training program. I don't know about you, but sometimes I cheat and don't go running every time I'm supposed to. I guess it's a good idea if you are a college student.

[Holliday]

Guess I'll throw my two cents in

In order to build both endurance and some dexterity, I would give hiking a try. Preferably more cross country than on a dirt path, but both would suffice.

When hiking there comes this point where you have to place your foot precisely in order to gain a good footing.

I guess what I'm trying to say is: as you're walking, you're building endurance, while walking, you are also climbing over rocks, stepping over logs (or cactus where I live ). This causes you to both think about where you're putting your foot, and in the same time, decide where you need to go and also look further ahead to find your next obstacle.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but this creates a great endurance and dexterity work out.