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Rawsko
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the public's mind works maybe a bit like muscle memory. "Footbag is bad, footbag is bad, footbag is bad, foobag is good, footbag is bad" Thus a negative impression of footbag is enstilled...I'm of the oppinion that Bad Lights should be avoided if possible. There IS such thing as bad exposure.
Jorden
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I was able to tell people about footbag and how it isn't Hacky Sack.
The best example of the "bad light" is Hacky Sack. In Europe (from what I'm told.. I haven't been there to ask for myself) the concept of "Hacky Slacker" and a hippie game never existed.. So footbag was introduced as footbag intsead. In the US (and surrounding) we're STILL trying to outrun the stereotype of Hacky Sack. i.e. Exposure for the sake of exposure is not a good thing in my opinion. It can backfire.
You know that "footbag at the office" lame video where the guy grabs the bag with his butt cheeks? EVERY person that I know that has any clue that I play footbag (a few hundred people) have seen that video and ask me "oh yeah? But can you do thisssss? [then they send me the link to that stupid video". It's a mockery. i.e. Exposure for the sake of exposure is not a good thing in my opinion. It can backfire.
Slowsis
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they really enjoy footbag when it is put up on a pedestle as 'cool'.
David wrote a very nice post about the "death of Flipsider" that illustrated this exact point. Flipsider was based on the skater culture (for lack of better term) and therefore had instant street cred with the young, impressionable kids that came across it. In my opinion, and using my experience in marketing strategy for a crutch, activities like this website are among the most effective ways to spread the word. Kids today are internet savants. The right website with the right web optimization will attract many young eyes.
James
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Heck, I can barely stand watching footbag for longer than 5 minutes at a time
Continuing from my point immediately above... "The right website with the right web optimization will attract many young eyes." James also wrote that playing is what's fun more so than watching. Absolutely. I've been playing for a long time, and I still can't bring myself to watch more than a 4-5 minute shred video. And even those that I watch, I find my eyes and mind blurring out/zoning out. It's 10 times more fun to play than to watch. In my opinion, if your intent is growth, you're best off marketing and getting them to try the sport - young people walk past shred circles all the time.. they can't understand it, and it's not presented as "cool".
Kidzanshin
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without recognition and support from outside, they cannot expand, progress and let their art grow and become more widespread, and the art itself dies
But what I really want to say is: If we're seemingly doing such a horrible job, why is it that the sport continues to grow? I don't know that I care if the sport grows faster than it is already. In the past 5 years, I have been able to have a session with skilled players on every vacation I've taken. I can readily get my hands on information and videos and trick tips. If interested (I'm not) I can book demo's, or fill a tournament with 100+ skilled players (again, not interested). What does bigger really get us (the big us, not just the few guys that are the absolute top players in the world)? Who cares about recognition? If the sport was huge, the only recognition most of us would get is that we are not as good as the top players. Woop dee doo.
"
and have you seen how fast kids are getting good these days???
edit-aw shit i just buried bob's solid post with this
i'll quote it.