Did my routine yesterday. Felt good.
All my belts are tightened by a notch now. I saw some pictures of myself from Halloween wit the kids, and you can totally see the weight loss in my face. And one of my vendors was in to the office the other day (he hasn't seen me in person for about 4 months) and commented that I looked trim. In the mirror, I'm starting to see how my build is getting back to where it should be.
Kicking. Had a good night. ATW's on both feet during warmups felt 90% to being the same on either foot. My illusions were nice - set nice and close to me, dexes happening above my calf muscle. Hit 10 consecutive on both feet within a try or two. Also hit bubbas and pdx illusion nicely. Pdx illusion is hardest of all of them for me, so I'll hit that more next practice.
Did some fun butterfly drills such as btfly > ss btfly > pdx mirage > same btfly > infinity back and forth a few times until I'm on the other side > repeat the whole thing. Then I'd vary it up by swapping in osis etc. Annoyingly, I've been dropping my off side butterfly during actual runs >> I know why I'm dropping them, it's because I'm not doing them the same way that I do them in runs. Easy to fix. Just need to concentrate on doing what I practice.
Lots of ducking/diving practice too. Less travel on the set is better. Also, instead of passing the ball over my neck, I like to pass it at my ear, and then "go get" the duck or dive. It's a small difference, but I think it makes the duck/dive look nicer. It's harder for me to do it that way because I used to do it the other way. But my old way just makes it look like a high set where you walk under it. Rather than the nice exaggerated duck/dive (think Lon's ducks).
Did some whirls and drifters at the end of practice. My pickups practice makes regular whirl pretty easy. Toe whirl is easy too. Pdx whirl not easy. But I'm only giving each one like 5 tries each, so we'll see how that goes over time. Drifter on strong side is easy, but then, it always was. But it's even easier now. My no plant clipper drill, and my clip set mirage dills basically put all the components in place for drifter. Strong side, I'm not lifting my dex high enough. It was easy to see the problem though, so I should be able to get that one back. At one point back in the day, my back to back drifter record was 17. I got 1 on each side in the same string yesterday. Ha ha.. How far I've fallen.
west of philly - bob
Yo Bob, I didn't know how you were at your peak so I can't comment on that, but in the near future if you might be looking for people nearby to shred with, there's some of us here at Temple in Philly who'd be more than pleased to kick it! 
On the other hand, it does seem your endurance and physical fitness are improving, keep it up mang!
On the other hand, it does seem your endurance and physical fitness are improving, keep it up mang!
Still hoping for some feedback folks. Thought process is to do the positive things from my past game, and eliminate negatives since I'm basically building my game from scatch.
Anyhow, played both days this weekend. Yesterday was freezing in the barn and my whole body was steaming. Not really a healthy way to play. Nothing special yesterday. After I kicked I went to home depot and got a huge tarp and a space heater. I used the tarp to create "walls" to my shred spot, and then I put the space heater inside. Today when I played, it was nice and warm in there.
Today, I was really tired, so I wasn't that interested in "practice". I did some anyways. Then I decided it would be fun to work on some harder stuff. I hit both whirls in the same run a bunch of times. And I hit the following a few times each on both sides: smear, pixies legover, pixie ss legover. Even hit pixie legover back to back starting on both sides. Oh yeah, I also hit back to back drifters one time starting on each side.
I'm in CA all week on business, so I won't be kicking until Friday.
Anyhow, played both days this weekend. Yesterday was freezing in the barn and my whole body was steaming. Not really a healthy way to play. Nothing special yesterday. After I kicked I went to home depot and got a huge tarp and a space heater. I used the tarp to create "walls" to my shred spot, and then I put the space heater inside. Today when I played, it was nice and warm in there.
Today, I was really tired, so I wasn't that interested in "practice". I did some anyways. Then I decided it would be fun to work on some harder stuff. I hit both whirls in the same run a bunch of times. And I hit the following a few times each on both sides: smear, pixies legover, pixie ss legover. Even hit pixie legover back to back starting on both sides. Oh yeah, I also hit back to back drifters one time starting on each side.
I'm in CA all week on business, so I won't be kicking until Friday.
Bob R.
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- Ayatollah of Rock n' Rollah
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Hmm... I haven't really read or thought very carefully about the exact moves you said you were hitting. I don't care to pour over every specific detail of somebody's game like that. Furthermore, its been a long time since I played with you, and I was never a really good observer of styles, techniques, and specific combos anyway (I didn't used to pay enough attention to people I was kicking with back then, usually wrapped up in what I had just done or what I wanted to do next, I think), so I can't really remember how you were playing at your peak vs. now.Still hoping for some feedback folks.
None-the-less, I seem to recall you had a pretty mean dragonfly and paradox dragonfly (pixie dragonfly too?...), and if I recall correctly you used those in combo pretty well, which, in my opinion, stands out from the average freestyler. So be sure to put in some work on your flyers, and combo-ing them with whatever else you're skooling now.
Keep up the good work. See ya around.
"The time has come to convert the unbelievers..."
Jonathan Schneider --- sometimes showers with his Lavers on (to clean them)
The Ministry of Silly Walks
NYFA
BAP
Jonathan Schneider --- sometimes showers with his Lavers on (to clean them)
The Ministry of Silly Walks
NYFA
BAP
OK, so overall feedback amounted to "flyers were good, keep doing them". I'm thankful for getting at least that. I guess all the people that I played hundreds of times with either didn't notice anything about my game or aren't reading. Either way, sort of disappointing, but then again, I guess that's why I am where I am with the sport/community of footbag.
Self feedback: I think I was a smooth player with decent string length and a fairly nice variety of skills. I think I was one sided and had bad form on some basic concepts, therefore making some of the multiple component tricks less than stellar.
Therefore, I'm concentrating on form and consistency and a variety of concepts.
Kicked today. I reworked the heat tent (aka shred tent) in the barn to include a propane heater (like you see at tailgate parties) and a small fan that blows the heat into the space. It was 40 degrees F outside, but 62 degrees in my heat tent, so I think it's success. Anyhow, my basic drills went great. That felt good. So I moved on to spins and whirls for much of the practice. Toe whirl is harder than regular whirl but is good setup for pdx whirl. My illusions were perfect today. I can see that double dexes will be much improved as a result, so that's gratifying. I have Monday off, so I'll get a nice 3 day in a row shred schedule going.
Self feedback: I think I was a smooth player with decent string length and a fairly nice variety of skills. I think I was one sided and had bad form on some basic concepts, therefore making some of the multiple component tricks less than stellar.
Therefore, I'm concentrating on form and consistency and a variety of concepts.
Kicked today. I reworked the heat tent (aka shred tent) in the barn to include a propane heater (like you see at tailgate parties) and a small fan that blows the heat into the space. It was 40 degrees F outside, but 62 degrees in my heat tent, so I think it's success. Anyhow, my basic drills went great. That felt good. So I moved on to spins and whirls for much of the practice. Toe whirl is harder than regular whirl but is good setup for pdx whirl. My illusions were perfect today. I can see that double dexes will be much improved as a result, so that's gratifying. I have Monday off, so I'll get a nice 3 day in a row shred schedule going.
Bob R.
So I'm pretty much full time onto putting components together. I spend time on components still, but more time on sets with components etc. Today was a pixie day. My weak pixie is better when I concentrate on having no spin on the ball when it's set (i.e. no cheating). To accomplish that I focus on lifting the knee and then dexing. It was working. Hit a lot of smears, and a lot of pixies ss mirage and pixie butterfly. Was able to link multiple types of pixie moves back to back. This will be a strong/easy energy saving area for me ultimately.
Bob R.
Damn I'm sore. Three days in a row of over an hour each day, and harder tricks than before.
Today went well. I was working pixies and drifter again today. Hit back to back drifters starting on both sides and each time sealed with guiltless bops and other easy stuff. Also hit pixie legover > smear on both sides. Hit pixie butterfly > drifter bsos with some other stuff mixed in. Spinning clipper to whirl both sides. Whirl to drifter both sides. Pixie illusion both sides. Drifter > bubba both sides. Also cheated a bit and did some strong side paradons. I could always do them on that side, but boy they're deep now.
Today went well. I was working pixies and drifter again today. Hit back to back drifters starting on both sides and each time sealed with guiltless bops and other easy stuff. Also hit pixie legover > smear on both sides. Hit pixie butterfly > drifter bsos with some other stuff mixed in. Spinning clipper to whirl both sides. Whirl to drifter both sides. Pixie illusion both sides. Drifter > bubba both sides. Also cheated a bit and did some strong side paradons. I could always do them on that side, but boy they're deep now.
Bob R.
Really fun practice tonight. And damn I'm sore again. Luckily tomorrow is my off night, I need it.
I was working on stepping set tonight. It's all about high knees for me. Straight set and high knees. Anyhow, I hit ripwalk > ripwalk starting on both sides. Stepping mirage on both sides (weakside was 1st time ever). Lots of blurs on both sides (weakside was among the first ever). Ripwalk > blur bsos. Pixie butter > ripwalk both sides and bsos. Ripwalk > whirl both sides. (all these things sealed with some bops btw).
And I hit a few runs tonight that were somewhat worthy. This one stood out enough for me to stop and write it down:
blur > butterfly > other blur > ss btfly > ripwalk > infinity > ducking clip > ripwalk > infinity > gyro mirage > ss butterfly > hand catch
Not too bad. Lots of butterflies which I wouldn't normally like, but my goal is not to shred yet, so I'll be happy with it. Especially because just about everything was both sided.
I was working on stepping set tonight. It's all about high knees for me. Straight set and high knees. Anyhow, I hit ripwalk > ripwalk starting on both sides. Stepping mirage on both sides (weakside was 1st time ever). Lots of blurs on both sides (weakside was among the first ever). Ripwalk > blur bsos. Pixie butter > ripwalk both sides and bsos. Ripwalk > whirl both sides. (all these things sealed with some bops btw).
And I hit a few runs tonight that were somewhat worthy. This one stood out enough for me to stop and write it down:
blur > butterfly > other blur > ss btfly > ripwalk > infinity > ducking clip > ripwalk > infinity > gyro mirage > ss butterfly > hand catch
Not too bad. Lots of butterflies which I wouldn't normally like, but my goal is not to shred yet, so I'll be happy with it. Especially because just about everything was both sided.
Bob R.
DC - awesome, thanks for the update. My one bag just sprung a hole, so your timing couldn't be better.
I play without walls on the toe box (cut them off).
Btw, here's an interesting story for you. I was on hold with one of my vendors, Flambeau, yesterday. Turns out that Flambeau and Duncan Toys are part of the same umbrella. The on hold message was all about footbag. So I emailed my counterpart explaining that I play etc. Now the sales manager for Duncan has been emailing me. He mentioned that he knows you and Flash - or at least knows of you. (also mentioned he's working with Emily K. from West coast on improving their footbag products) Anyhow, if you already had something going, that's great. If you didn't, it looks as though I can possibly strengthen your relationship with them. Maybe get you a demo or similar. Interested? Or are you already "in" as much as is needed with those guys? I'm talking to Mike Burke in case that info is useul.
I play without walls on the toe box (cut them off).
Btw, here's an interesting story for you. I was on hold with one of my vendors, Flambeau, yesterday. Turns out that Flambeau and Duncan Toys are part of the same umbrella. The on hold message was all about footbag. So I emailed my counterpart explaining that I play etc. Now the sales manager for Duncan has been emailing me. He mentioned that he knows you and Flash - or at least knows of you. (also mentioned he's working with Emily K. from West coast on improving their footbag products) Anyhow, if you already had something going, that's great. If you didn't, it looks as though I can possibly strengthen your relationship with them. Maybe get you a demo or similar. Interested? Or are you already "in" as much as is needed with those guys? I'm talking to Mike Burke in case that info is useul.
Bob R.
Hey Bob,
First of all, I want to congratulate you on your handsome family, as well as your decision to get back into playing footbag. I can appreciate that you want to go back and relearn all the basics, it takes patience that I can scarcely come by. I remember you having a decent variety of moves and concepts that you could perform, but your decision to school basics can only help.
It's funny that you know Mike Burke, he's a really nice guy. I haven't been in touch with him for several months, but I would consider doing more demos for them. You probably don't need to go out of your way to help me in that regard though.
Keep up the good work, and I hope to run into you and the fam sometime.
First of all, I want to congratulate you on your handsome family, as well as your decision to get back into playing footbag. I can appreciate that you want to go back and relearn all the basics, it takes patience that I can scarcely come by. I remember you having a decent variety of moves and concepts that you could perform, but your decision to school basics can only help.
It's funny that you know Mike Burke, he's a really nice guy. I haven't been in touch with him for several months, but I would consider doing more demos for them. You probably don't need to go out of your way to help me in that regard though.
Keep up the good work, and I hope to run into you and the fam sometime.
Gordon Scott Bevier
Hey Scott,
Thanks for the kind words regarding my family. I like them, I think I'll keep them. ha ha
Schooling the basics has definitely already had benefits, so the approach seems to be the right one. At my age and with the time I have available to devote to it (i.e. not much) I know I'll never be BAP or anything close to that, but I think I can get better continually, get great exercise, and have fun.
Thanks for the kind words regarding my family. I like them, I think I'll keep them. ha ha
Schooling the basics has definitely already had benefits, so the approach seems to be the right one. At my age and with the time I have available to devote to it (i.e. not much) I know I'll never be BAP or anything close to that, but I think I can get better continually, get great exercise, and have fun.
Bob R.
Thursdays are my worst practice day. I'm pretty beat by Thursday. Tonights practice was pretty lame. Basically just a good workout. I did hit weakside DLO for the first time ever. That was as good as it got today. Ha ha.
On a bright note, I couldn't resist the urge to weigh in today. After last week's business trip (i.e. no exercise, tons of networking dinners/drinks) I was feeling pretty fat. But I figured, what the hell. I'm now down to 220 which is 18 pounds down from my starting point. Not bad.
On a bright note, I couldn't resist the urge to weigh in today. After last week's business trip (i.e. no exercise, tons of networking dinners/drinks) I was feeling pretty fat. But I figured, what the hell. I'm now down to 220 which is 18 pounds down from my starting point. Not bad.
Bob R.
Hey Bob. I tried to find footage of your game, but couldn’t find much. So this is mostly a mix of my impressions from Ryan Thomas’ Worlds 04 DVD and from my memory. The thing that I liked best about your game was the flyers. That really stood out. I also recall liking your barrage, but that may just be because I always sucked at that move and was envious. I also liked that you often used legover instead of butterfly with certain concepts (gyro, ducking) where most people use butterfly. It’s a good mixup.I also recall thinking you needed to use flip toe more. Hope this was better than nothing.
Hey Ken, Thanks for the feedback, truly appreciate it.
So consensus is that I need to school those flyers again. The best flyers I hit in the past were: dragonflyer > ducking or diving conepts. or to DLO. I could occasionally hit spinning ducking pdx dragonflyer. Or pixie or stepping as a prefix. But it was all one sided, so (to Ken's point, and to the point of what I've been doing for the past 2 months) the oher side and the other flyers need work. Oh yeah, I'd do flying bent leg clipper too. I loved that one. Ryan Mulroney used to do those, that's why I started doing them.
Anyhow, took yesterday off because I had to winterize the house.
Today, I played for about an hour. Did a lot of pixie. It's starting to click. I can hit a couple pixie tricks back to back and side to side. I'm happy that so far everything I've hit strong side I've also hit weakside. And in many cases bsos. It's funny because I'm not a fan of bsos runs >> I think they can be boring. But, for practice and for my goals it's critical right now. I also worked hard on stepping set. On my strong side, my flaw in the past (I figured out today) was that I set the ball forward. Wasn't doing that today and therefore was hitting the tricks much more easily. On the weakside, I also set too far forward, and I don't throw it up as high as I should. Not lifting my dex knee enough either. Glad I figured that out. Oh yeah, and back to pixie for a second. The more I concentrate on lifting my knee straight up on the set, the better the set it. Had a bunch of strong side set up to ear height, and weakside up to chest height. Don't hurry. I used to be able to duck my strong side, but it was a fluke/took tons of effort. I think I'll be able to easily duck it in the future.
So consensus is that I need to school those flyers again. The best flyers I hit in the past were: dragonflyer > ducking or diving conepts. or to DLO. I could occasionally hit spinning ducking pdx dragonflyer. Or pixie or stepping as a prefix. But it was all one sided, so (to Ken's point, and to the point of what I've been doing for the past 2 months) the oher side and the other flyers need work. Oh yeah, I'd do flying bent leg clipper too. I loved that one. Ryan Mulroney used to do those, that's why I started doing them.
Anyhow, took yesterday off because I had to winterize the house.
Today, I played for about an hour. Did a lot of pixie. It's starting to click. I can hit a couple pixie tricks back to back and side to side. I'm happy that so far everything I've hit strong side I've also hit weakside. And in many cases bsos. It's funny because I'm not a fan of bsos runs >> I think they can be boring. But, for practice and for my goals it's critical right now. I also worked hard on stepping set. On my strong side, my flaw in the past (I figured out today) was that I set the ball forward. Wasn't doing that today and therefore was hitting the tricks much more easily. On the weakside, I also set too far forward, and I don't throw it up as high as I should. Not lifting my dex knee enough either. Glad I figured that out. Oh yeah, and back to pixie for a second. The more I concentrate on lifting my knee straight up on the set, the better the set it. Had a bunch of strong side set up to ear height, and weakside up to chest height. Don't hurry. I used to be able to duck my strong side, but it was a fluke/took tons of effort. I think I'll be able to easily duck it in the future.
Bob R.
Again, I find myself really looking forward to playing tonight. I post this, not because it's that interesting to read, but because I'm happy that footbag is fun for me right now and that I think about it like I used to. I can remember back in the day shadowing tricks in the supermarket checkout line. It was all I could think about. I'm not at that level now, but definitely more excitement and looking-forward-to-playing feelings than I've had in a long time. So that's cool.
Also, changed my morning workouts a little. I want to do more natural motion types of exercises. My goal is lean and strong. But useful strong, not "oh yeah, watch me I can bench press a lot of weight" type of strong. It's actually an interesting way to work out. You can really get creative with it. And you don't need weights because you can use your body weight for resistance. If you have any experience in what I'm talking about, I'd love to hear any comments that you have. I'm mostly teaching myself right now.
Also, changed my morning workouts a little. I want to do more natural motion types of exercises. My goal is lean and strong. But useful strong, not "oh yeah, watch me I can bench press a lot of weight" type of strong. It's actually an interesting way to work out. You can really get creative with it. And you don't need weights because you can use your body weight for resistance. If you have any experience in what I'm talking about, I'd love to hear any comments that you have. I'm mostly teaching myself right now.
Bob R.
Wow, I'm mr. post a lot these days.
My DC bag arrived in the mail and was waiting for me when I went home for lunch. Pink and maroon (a little girly, but hey, I could probably stand to be a little closer to my feminine side), small, and heavy. Seems pretty darned sweet to me!
So now, I'm doubly excited to play tonight after work.
Thanks Dave!
My DC bag arrived in the mail and was waiting for me when I went home for lunch. Pink and maroon (a little girly, but hey, I could probably stand to be a little closer to my feminine side), small, and heavy. Seems pretty darned sweet to me!
So now, I'm doubly excited to play tonight after work.
Thanks Dave!
Bob R.