Begin Phase 1 again

shredzilla · Post by **shredzilla** » 29 Jan 2008 23:20

Dang Tuesday's gettin huge!

Iron Clad Ben · Post by **Iron Clad Ben** » 04 Feb 2008 10:17

Been a while since I've posted in my blog. I feel like my game hasn't been making very much progress, got kinda sick of posting the same old crap in here.

The title of the blog is kinda deceiving. It's been a very mild winter. Saturday's session was in the 70s, and I got a light sunburn. Shred weather has been fantastic. I consider myself fortunate.

Well I have two new videos out

BSC Video
Solo session vid

Shred notes:

Clipper STILL need more form fixing. I wasn't falling into them at before, now apparently I'm doing it too much. Will it ever end?

Shin Splints will continue to be a problem until clippers are fixed. ARGH!

Flip illusion has gotten better than strong, re-skooling strong to be more like flip. Most of it involves cranking both the ankle and the knee outwards to get around the bag more efficiently. Basic illusion/bubba is no problem, but it's tough to hit pdx or egg midrun at all without this being retooled.

Hitting Flail surprisingly consistently on "flip" side, like 1/2. "Strong" side is harder, maybe 1/8. Want it in my runs.

DLOs are almost as reliable as BOPs. I need to do more of them, and hit stuff like whale tail and fog, I should have hit them by now.

Setting the bag lower... I never fixed this. It's about time to do it once and for all.

Spins are inconsistent, hopefully fixing clippers will fix that.

I hit this combo yesterday finally:

Ducking clip > Osis > Infinity > RPT

All 3 are links I'm not used to doing. I need to throw that into warmups every time moving forward. I so could be guiltless if I really wanted to be, not that that's a big deal to me.

I want to hit Spinning Eggbeater/Flail. Came very close on just a few tries the past few days. Been a long time since I hit a 5. However, I need to put that crap aside and buckle down on fixing my clippers and setting the bag lower.

Oh and also, interesting anecdote if you remember Andrew from worlds. Apparently he hit Cripwalk (moshing butterfly) and Ripped Warrior last week, both witnessed clean. Also mobius BSOS. I wasn't there but Cody told me about it.

Iron Clad Ben · Post by **Iron Clad Ben** » 07 Feb 2008 13:37

So I posted a solo video a few days ago. I got some pretty good feedback.

My major takeaways right now:

Setting lower, even on the basics like BOPs and 2's. This will help rhythm and also be less impact on the body for the clipper support leg.

Not attacking osis as much and doing most of the move after I've turned my head.

Keeping arms lower

Had a pretty good session applying all of that last night. It REALLY helped run length and control. I still found myself setting the bag really high from time to time, especially on bails, but even cutting it down by 60% or so made a huge difference.

SS Butter > Infinity > PDX Illusion > RPT > Butter > PDX Mirage > RPT > SS Butter > Osis > PDX Mirage > RPT > run

Spinning Clipper > Infinity > RPT > run

Diving clip > Infinity > RPT > run

SS Butter > DLO > RPT 11 contacts

Flip Dimwalk! (new, mid-run too

)

PDX Mirage > Dimwalk > PDX Illusion > Pixie clip (flip, also new) > osis > run

Spinning Clip > Gyro Clip > Spinning Clip > gyro nothing, flip gyro totally sux

NO #$%&ing shin pain!!!

Flip pixie coming out of the woodwork was a huge surprise, and very warmly welcomed. Eggbeaters and flails weren't really happening, but PDX illusion sure is getting reliable, IT IS NICE. Some BMXers came by and filmed us on their camera phones.

Hopefully with these forms tweaks I can play more often and the shin splints will be gone FOR GOOD.

C-Fan · Post by **C-Fan** » 07 Feb 2008 13:51

Props on no shin pain.

My observations from your video:

* try and play more on your toes. It's a bit weird at first, but you get used to it, and it will pay off.

* As others said, set lower.

* How is your breathing? Are you breathing throughout your strings? Figure out which tricks you can catch your breath on, and use them when you feel like you're running out of energy. A big part of becoming a high level intermediate/pro is figuring out how to pace your breathing. It will also relax you and should make things easier.

*Remember to keep everything small and efficient.

Darkshredder · Post by **Darkshredder** » 07 Feb 2008 14:11

wow some real nice highlights, Ben! I'm glad posting that video helped

Iron Clad Ben · Post by **Iron Clad Ben** » 09 Feb 2008 17:47

Thanks guys. Yeah I'm glad I did that video. It's takes some balls to be able to post a video and leave yourself open like that. I still recommend everyone do it, the amount of response from the community was really good. Some of the comments can't help make me think "does this person just think I'm a total idiot?". You kinda have to put emotion aside and just take the advice that they give objectively. Also reading the advice and putting the advice into place are totally different. It's hard to just change your ingrained habits over night, just completely change your technique the next time you play. But even incorporating just 1 or 2 suggestions can make a huge difference.

Usually I don't get all emotional and what not but I definitely agree with Kyle's post about Ken. The guy has had such a huge impact on footbag and he should be very proud. There would be no Japan, no Takumi, no Kenzo... well at least not nearly the magnitude it is if not for Ken. Also, there would be no Cornell... even though that has kinda died off. But Luis would not be into footbag the way he is if it weren't for Ken. I'm a year younger than Ken but I started freestyle much later. I've played hack since I was 10, but I just never found freestyle till I was 23. I hope that one day I can have close to the impact that Ken has had. For me, having a positive impact on other people's lives is much more gratifying than being super good at freestyle, or being good at anything. Speaking of which, I've been meaning to call the local rec center about teaching a footbag class

...

Anyway, back to shred talk, I had an EXCELLENT solo session today. Really being cognizant of setting the bag low has helped tremendously. Pretty much everything within reason I tried today I hit, usually first or second try which was really gratifying. I schooled BOPs a lot, focusing on low sets. Flip pixie was still there, which made me really happy.

Some highlights

Ripwalk > PDX Mirage > SS Butter > RPT > run

Gyro Butter BS (new trick, been wanting this one for a long time)

Slapdown

new trick, first try of the day

Spinning PDX Illusion BS, I think flip is new, I hit strong last week

Spinning Clip > Infinity > RPT

SS Butter > DLO > RPT 9 contacts

SS Butter > Infinity > Osis x 2 > PDX Mirage > RPT > run

PDX Mirage > Dimwalk > RPT sealed with one more PDX mirage

PDX DLO > Butter > PDX DLO > handcatch !!!

Ducking Clip > Osis > Infinity > RPT

While playing, some lady asked me "do you know Cody Rushing?" and I said "Yeah, usually we play in this park every Saturday but he couldn't make it today". She said "Oh, he's my brother, I figured there weren't that many people who played that."

No shin pain today. I think I've finally fixed my form to the point where that will be a thing of the past. I still have some work to do on my form. Today the only reason I stopped after about 3 hours of shred was fatigue. That usually never happens. It's either shin splints or muscle soreness that ends my sessions. Nice to not have either of those

I really wanted to play more, but cardiovascularly, I just didn't have any more energy left.

Cody wants to play tomorrow. I am in like Flint.

gMoney · Post by **gMoney** » 09 Feb 2008 22:29

I am in like Flint.

That's my favorite moooovie!

I sure hope somebody besides me understands that.

And that's a funny coincidence, a random lady walking up to you and being like "hey do you know Cody Rushing?" I pray for the day something like that happens through footbag, haha. As for quitting sessions early due to lack of endurance, I'd suggest some kind of crosstraining and some weightlifting, unless you already do that (how am I supposed to know?) And I liked your video, you just have some minor things to clean up, and after awhile you'll completely be rid of those habits, trust me

slapdash21 · Post by **slapdash21** » 10 Feb 2008 14:00

brick ben, brick.

Kljopa · Post by **Kljopa** » 10 Feb 2008 17:18

Props Ben!!

PS.

I laughed at the brick ben, brick

Iron Clad Ben · Post by **Iron Clad Ben** » 22 Feb 2008 11:53

Dear Footblog,
My last entry was almost 2 weeks ago? Wow. I have not abandonded you. I am still playing kickysack at least twice a week.

I feel I have reached a plateau in my game. I seem to be able to refine existing concepts a tiny bit, but new concepts have been difficult to bring on. I feel like I am putting in the time, mostly drilling the basics and still really not getting anywhere.

-My clipper form is still jacked up, especially on the right side
-My illusions are deep on one side (used to be flipside), but shitty and thin on the other (used to be strongside)
-My mirages and legovers are still pretty inefficient, making torques and drifters next to impossible. DLOs are BSOSable, but advanced variants are difficult/impossible
-Something is still wrong with osis, I can still only hit 2's/BOP's out of it.
-I still get shin splints some times, but not nearly as often or as bad as I used to a year ago
-Breathing/arms... all jacked up

I feel like the block in my game right now is purely mental/emotional. It's like my brain and thoughts of "I can't" are holding me back. I don't know what to do about that. I still enjoy playing, I'm just a little disappointed by my lack of progress.

Recents lights:
-Spinning Clip > Ducking Clip > Spinning Clip BS footed the last ducking clip but no dice on the full drill yet
-SS Butter > Infinity > Spinning Clip > Merkon > RPT
-A *hippy* Atom smasher. I was delighted to hit that but frustrated that I could only get it once and only 1 side.

I'm stoked about events coming up. SXSW is WK11, and it should suck less this year. 2 bands I love are on the same bill, Fu Manchu and Burning prides, playing WK13. I got MFJ in WK15, Reggae Fest WK16 and the NOJF WK17/18. Then possibly Israel in May some time, we'll see.

Session tomorrow, maybe film? Sure why not. Weather has been great for outside shred the past few weeks, great times.

EDIT: Short solo session last night

Spinning Clip x 2 BSOS

SS Butter > Spinning PDX Mirage > RPT

Butter > Ducking PDX Mirage > RPT

PDX DLO BS (not new, but cool)

Also reeeally close flip spinning-ducking

Iron Clad Ben · Post by **Iron Clad Ben** » 01 Mar 2008 13:52

W00h00! Just got done one of my best sessions in a long time. It was my fourth session this week, which I think is helping me maintain what I'm learning. Everything was just reeeally effortless today. Runs just flowed. I was in a good state. Also John and James made it out, which was great, haven't played with them in forever

Highlights:

Smear > Legover > RPT 8 contacts twice (flip pixie

)

Legover x 3 > Mirage x 3> RPT > Pickup x 3 > Illusion x3 > RPT > some BOPs

a few 18-20 contact BOP runs with everything incl. PDX Illusion

Spin > Duck > RPT > run > Duck > Dive > botched duck. Sooo happy to have finally hit this drill!

Weaving Clip BSOS

(just started hitting this BS)

Ripwalk > Ripwalk > run several times

Butter > Ducking PDX Mirage > RPT run, first try

SS Butter > Spinning PDX Mirage > RPT > run, 2nd try

Ducking Clip > Infinity > Infinity > RPT 14 contacts

Ducking Butter BSOS (I always forget I can do these)

SS Butter > DLO > RPT 9 contacts

Eggbeater BSOS 2nd try

SS Butter > Osis > PDX Mirage > RPT > run > Butter > PDX Illusion > toe DLO > RPT > run

RAWR

Flip Kegbeater

cleared some Fairy sets both sides

Probably more stuff I forgot about too.. Stretched the hell out my legs before, during and after the session. I feel fantastic. I wish every session could be this fun and gratifying.

pips · Post by **pips** » 01 Mar 2008 14:12

You got some nice runs in there. Keep it up! Video coming soon???

mc · Post by mc » 01 Mar 2008 14:21

what's kegbeater?

nice advances, ben!

Kljopa · Post by **Kljopa** » 01 Mar 2008 15:52

Nice stuff Ben

props!

Yeah im interested what kegbeater is too.

C-Fan · Post by **C-Fan** » 01 Mar 2008 16:11

Iron Clad Ben wrote:W00h00! Just got done one of my best sessions in a long time. I feel fantastic. I wish every session could be this fun and gratifying.

Nice. That's the best feeling. Make another video man.

shredzilla · Post by **shredzilla** » 01 Mar 2008 18:17

haha yeah I just checked the search tool, and it came up with ONE result for kegbeater, this thread

Glad you've been havin some good sessions man, you deserve it.

Benzilla · Post by **Benzilla** » 04 Mar 2008 18:53

Ben, everytime i see the animation in your sig i just crack up

footbagi · Post by **footbagi** » 04 Mar 2008 19:38

Lots of good repeats that your hitting. I'll try some of those. Yah another video would be great!

Hmmm...seeing that "k" is beside"l" on the keyboard I think he meant legbeater not kegbeater, but at the same time I hope it's kegbeater because I've never heard of that either.

Iron Clad Ben · Post by **Iron Clad Ben** » 06 Mar 2008 08:34

Matt Cross wrote:what's kegbeater?

It's SS Eggbeater. I could have sworn I saw that somewhere else, but perhaps I just made it up. Well, it's an awesome name so I'm going to keep using it.

I'm happy to report that footbag is continuing to go very well for me. I had a short solo session on Monday that went pretty well. I finally hit some clean xbd rakes both sides.

Last night I shredded with Cody and Andrew. Cody hit a pretty cool sick 3: Legbeater > Ripwalk > PS Whirl. Andrew got really close cripwalk again. He also hit Jackknife (new) and Darkwalk, to mention a whole slew of sweet links.

Highlights for me:

Butter > PDX Mirage > RPT 20 contacts

Lots of Stepping SS Clips. BSOSed once.

Weaving Butterfly BS new trick! Footed BSOS a couple times. Weaving is reallllllly fun

Flail, 3rd try, not new, but always sweet

Bubbabeater > run with spinning clip BSOS

Tons of spins and ducks

Duck > Spin > RPT getting easier now w00t! Hit it twice on Monday.

Eggbeaters were pretty easy, but DLOs were sucking

Ducking Butter > Ducking Butter

Whirl

totally serious, I hit it again, 2nd time ever

Tried flip spinning ducking some more, so close but no cigar. Also footed spinning ducking butterfly on strong side at least 5 times. I'll get that soon. I tried weaving mirage BS, footed it on 1 or 2 attempts each side, much easier than the last time I tried it, I'll get it soon.

shredzilla · Post by **shredzilla** » 07 Mar 2008 09:13

Iron Clad Ben wrote: Whirl totally serious, I hit it again, 2nd time ever

Nice! Keep schooling that every session, don't let that get away from you. I know you will have more success with it, just gotta keep at it. Hope my advice helped. Props on the other highlights.