Playing ALone...

SpYdeR · Post by **SpYdeR** » 14 Sep 2007 10:20

I honestly think I would be twice as good as I am now if I had a few people (or even one) person to shred with. I mean think about it. If I had someone who was better than me they could give me tips, and help me out..ect..ect...Or even if the person was at the same level I am, we could push each other to be better. Back in school, my best friend and I would kick everyday. We would play footbag "horse" like if i hit a trick he would have to hit the same move, or else they would get a letter. But now he doesnt play anymore. I would ask him now, but he has a problem with his knees, and cant play.

So does anyone else play alone? If so, do you think you would be a better player if you had friends to play with?

The only thing I do to try and make it exciting is to record myself, and make/edit my own videos, and put them on youtube.

ashleyd · Post by **ashleyd** » 14 Sep 2007 13:08

I started playing with David Clavens, then moved to Florida. He blew up, and I did not. He was playing by himself most of the time, and so was I.
Thus, it depends on the person I think.
Its up to the person to determine how motivated you are at footbag. Some people, like David, don't need other players to push them. Others, need someone else to kick with to stick with it/ push themselves.

Caro · Post by **Caro** » 14 Sep 2007 15:40

Nowadays, I play alone all the time. I still manage to stay motivated enough to play 4-5 times a week. I've always played alone a lot, but at least in Montreal I could play with people a few times a week; here in Vancouver, it's not an option. I personnally think that a little of both is probably the best for someone's game. After our jam last year, I was super motivated and started to hit new stuff again. Same with this summer, coming back from World's was almost a revelation. I was pumped, still am, and hit about 15 different new tricks since I've been back. I really miss inspiration sometimes, there's always times where it's harder to motivate, it just takes a bit more discipline. Always looking forward to my next session no matter what.

Benzilla · Post by **Benzilla** » 14 Sep 2007 17:02

When i fist started playing footbag i played alone all the time because my friends wouldn't understand why i would spend more money on quality footbags like a sandbag or a professionaly stitched 32 rather than buying a $1 hacky sack. I'd get mad and just play alone on my deck.

I think that playibng alone would be better because you are playing 100% efficiently (sp?..too lazy to fix it..) rather than playing with one or more other people because you stop to talk or watch a trick they jsut hit or whatever.

As long as you stay motivated you will play amazingly. If you ever need tips or advice theres always people on modified more than willing to help you. There's also Anz's trick videos in the Trick Tips subforum.

The Rhino · Post by **The Rhino** » 15 Sep 2007 04:20

well...

here is the deal, when I first started, there was Tim Mc Kay who started me in footbag, he could do clippers, sole stalls, toe stalls. I wanted to go farther than that, so I did. he went as far as whirl, mirage.. some other stuff.. but then quit. then I became a lone shredder. I kept getting better. but my real progress kind of fell off. then I went to the michigan comp. I was inspired big time. then I went to worlds and now I am improving way more.

observation: after being around people that are better than me, I improve greatly. videos are inspiring to a point. real life experience does much more for me. I desire to have a friend to shred with.

Ian Brill · Post by **Ian Brill** » 15 Sep 2007 04:30

I have found that people who are naturally very athletic can get by fine with just a little bit of exposure at competitions now and then. As an artist-before-athlete I find that I benefit from kicking with others perhaps more than someone who has better athletic common sense.

I believe it varies on the person, their learning approach and strengths.

Kicking by one's self is super important though but it's even more important that one be objective/analytical about their game, form, and pace.

Wu_ · Post by **Wu_** » 15 Sep 2007 06:38

it definitely depends on the person... but i think having a real rival in the game that is about the same level can really get you going. I used to have one when I started out and he always was just a wee bit better than me and than one day i whipped out a butterfly and it made his head go boom and the next week we met he had practiced all week at home alone and bashed me with some b2b osis.. i remember how i felt... i was like.. "damn him..damn him!!!..gonna practice alone all fuckin day and whip out some crazy shit next time...damn bastard!" ... I never said it like that but i always was thinking that way.

Jeremy · Post by **Jeremy** » 15 Sep 2007 16:09

Yeah I think it's definitely ideal to have people to play with, but you can definitely get good while still playing by yourself, and if you do, you'll probably go further, since you've found the ability to motivate yourself in a tougher environment. Especially if you live in North America or Europe, where you can play by yourself, but still make it to events a few times every year, you have every opportunity to be awesome. I've spent the majority of my footbag career playing by myself, but I've also made the most of my opportunities playing with other people, and feel like they've had big impacts on my game.

Lon Smith once told me that every day he chooses his favourite CD and plays for the duration of that CD, regardless of how he's feeling. Building a routine like that will help immensely. Also setting goals for yourself; especially ones that won't be achievable immediately.

Playing alone doesn't have to be hindrance, it just depends on your attitude.

Benzilla · Post by **Benzilla** » 15 Sep 2007 16:51

Lon Smith once told me that every day he chooses his favourite CD and plays for the duration of that CD, regardless of how he's feeling.

Thats what i do when ever i play in my basement. and 80 minute CD gets the job done, and leaves you out of breath and sweaty at the end.

Grade Zero · Post by **Grade Zero** » 15 Sep 2007 17:12

I just follow my schedule (it's in my footblog) and promised myself not to stop until all goals are satisfied.

after that I shower then I treat myself to a ginormous glass of milk and three PB & J sandwiches

yum

MatS21 · Post by **MatS21** » 15 Sep 2007 17:37

I think some of the best comment we're made by Caro and Jeremy, LOFA's approach seems pretty good too and I have to admit I never thought about it being an athletic person myself.

I really think both is necessary to improve faster because by playing by yourself you'll be encouraged to practice/drill/try new stuff and that is what will make you better in the end. But playing with people really help if your really a visual person because you'll see what they do and what's wrong in what you do. They can give you advice and more. Plus it helps with creativity which isn't to neglictate in footbag.

That represents how I play, 2-3 times a week by myself and once every week or two with people. Maybe it would help playing more often with people I don't know, I feel for myself this is the best way to improve. I really don't know what I could do to improve faster, I'm sure there is some things but if I would know.... I would be Vasek right?

james_dean · Post by **james_dean** » 15 Sep 2007 19:19

I found playing by myself helped me improve a lot. I just drilled all the time and that helped heaps. That was when I was just working casual though, now that I'm full time I find it reeeaaaally hard to motivate to shred

Haven't played in like, 2 weeks.... lame. I wish I had someone to shred with now, cause I need it. Before I didn't care. Also I need to stop drinking so much on the weekends so I'm in a state to play the next day... I'm really hungover right now ><

Dave Da · Post by **Dave Da** » 21 Sep 2007 05:57

HXCFOOTBAG wrote: then I went to the michigan comp. I was inspired big time.

I know we are so inspiring here in Michigan. I am the same way. I went with Zach Jahner to this competition. He pretty much is the reason I try so hard because hes got pretty style and I wanna play like him. I am lucky in footbag because I get to play with really good players like once a week. I feel like being pushed by other makes a huge difference in my progress. Guidance is the key to progressing in footbag.

Blue_turnip · Post by **Blue_turnip** » 30 Sep 2007 06:51

While its about 80% injury that caused me to stop playing, there is absolutely no doubt that no other people to shred with acted as the other 20% contributing to my decline.

Yeha it would depend ont he person though.

monkeybilla · Post by **monkeybilla** » 01 Oct 2007 16:04

i never really played alone my friend ben showed me footbag and from their i just started to play it alot. i do practice alone sometimes if my friends cant hang out and i think its more efficient becouse theirs no one to distract you. so yea thats it.