SMach talk me or talk sense into me

Eric Chang · Post by **Eric Chang** » 01 Oct 2007 04:16

It is 5 am where I am so excuse the typos and crazy talk.

But as of right now I've been struggling with footbag, I'm stuck on tiltless and no matter how hard I try I can't seem to breakout into higher tricks.

Right now most of the tricks I can hit are one sided and I struggle like crazy on my flipside clipper (also what is holding me back). It seems no matter how many times I try to correct the flipside clipper I end up with no progress. That and now my right knee (the one the flipside lands on) is acting up and it hurts just to walk now.

So right now I've been away from footbag and not even trying for some four plus weeks if not more. Meaning no more Stanford or Steve G Sessions. That and I haven't taken up Dat's offer to fix my form.

Anyways everything is all disjointed and what nots. But really what made you stick with the sport? I mean I watch footbag videos and used to be inspired thinking "HELL YEAH thats going to be me someday" and I look back and some two years later almost.... and I still feel like I suck. People have told me not to compare myself with others but its kind of hard not to.

Over there I see BSOS nuc sets atom sets, stepping sets. And I'm over here with struggling sets. (This being the the old Stanford group I used to footbag with) Not to mention when comparing others whom have footbagged as long as I have, it would appear that something is wrong with me for being this behind.

Anyways I am at the spot where I don't think the old crew cares I'm not there. Not to mention maybe someone to yell at me to snap out of it. Not sure where to take this.

SO once again talk sense into me or whatever. Oh ya sorry for all the bad spelling and stuff.

-Chang

Iron Clad Ben · Post by **Iron Clad Ben** » 01 Oct 2007 06:35

Eric,
I think you are way better than you give yourself credit for. I'm sorry to hear you are frustrated, I think many people go through the same footbag-existential-crisis, I know I did. At some point you've just gotta say screw it and keep playing. You are not a high school kid with a bajillion hours to practice, so I think that can have some effect on how good you can get for the amount of time you have been playing. So I would say just play for fun and enjoy yourself.

Definitely take Dat up on his offer to coach you on form. It was some of the best help I've gotten in footbag or anything else in a long time. In fact I need to check in with him on my progress. Doooooo it. It'll make you feel 100 times better as well.

Ben

Jeremy · Post by **Jeremy** » 02 Oct 2007 03:46

Good players take years to get good.

shredzilla · Post by **shredzilla** » 02 Oct 2007 07:11

are you playing 2 hours a day, 3-6 days a week? There's no way you could have a bad flip clipper after 2 years of good drilling. It may not be as good as your strong, but it should be at least functional enough to get you through runs. Flipside drilling means starting every run on flipside, and basically mastering every move you have on flip.

If your knee is hurting to the point that you can't walk, stop. Give it a week or 2 minimum. When you come back, drill flip clipper like crazy, and all the moves that start with it. Start every run with it. And make sure you can hit 50 consecutive flip clippers. Also get that form advice from Dat. I can't tell you to keep playing footbag, or talk sense into why you should do so, you have to want it. Very badly.

-Chris

Eric Chang · Post by **Eric Chang** » 03 Oct 2007 01:27

Well I thank you guys for the advice and it turns out I found out the problem. It wasn't my form but more so a crack in my right knee, meaning x-rays very soon. Joy -.-