Kankeri Japan

Tjuggles · Post by **Tjuggles** » 28 May 2008 16:04

So my girlfriend started shredding 5 days ago today. She played 3 days in a row, once by herself!! I think that is really cool.

She has done this so far:

consec toe stall x 16
toe kick x 5
inside kick x 2

I think she will get really good; she is really concentrated and doesn't seem to give up that easily.

As for me,

Kenzo mailed me when I was mid-session and said that he hit this:

barfly > scorpian's tail > (rpt)

I said that I would try and hit it like 4th or 5th try!

Then I tried blurriest > scorpian's tail but couldn't hit it. I didn't try for that long though.

-Peace

Tjuggles · Post by **Tjuggles** » 06 Jun 2008 10:19

Kenzo came out to hirakata tonight and we had about a 2 hour session. It was kind of a rise-over-the-plataeu session in that I hit a bunch of new moves and combos:

Mullet > Mullet

Flip Whirlwind

Diving whirl > Tomohawk > (rpt)

It felt really good to hit all of the above; I think I can do them more consistantly.

-Peace

Tjuggles · Post by **Tjuggles** » 12 Jun 2008 03:06

I'm coming closer and closer to:
vortex > mobius > (rpt)

Two days ago I hit:

P drifter > mobius > (rpt)

That felt really cool.

I also hit:
far motion > mobius

and maybe (I can't remember):

locomotion > mobius

TSG 6 (Tokyo Shredder Gathering) is this coming Sunday. I am looking forward to seeing everyone!

Peace,

C-Fan · Post by **C-Fan** » 12 Jun 2008 05:14

Nice TJ, you totally "level up"-ed!

Say hi to everybody at TSG for me.

Tjuggles · Post by **Tjuggles** » 14 Jun 2008 01:03

Thanks Ken, maybe I have "level up"-ed...
I will tell everyone you said hi.

So yesterday I hit:

Spinning gyro (?) mirage (a gyro mirage with a spin before it)

and footed:

spinning vortex and spinning mobius

TJ

Tjuggles · Post by **Tjuggles** » 16 Jun 2008 15:56

So, I want to comment on TSG 6, but I don't have time now...

Yesterday:

double spinning clipper BSOS.

Peace,

Tjuggles · Post by **Tjuggles** » 19 Jun 2008 19:12

TSG 6,

The environment for TSG 6 was, to be honest, not that great. The feeling of a 'tourney' just wasn't that strong, but perhaps that is just me. I was concentrated on the events and concerned about shred 30 and phat combo, and couldn't really relax and have fun.

Everyone is getting better in the Japan scene, however there are things that need to be changed. The biggest thing that I saw was the lack of creativity. (I myself am unfortunately no exception) I saw the same moves being performed by the same people, and I am getting sick of it, at least speaking for myself. I want to see people pushing the limits of difficulty and creativity, not just trying to keep up and hitting what everyone else is hitting. I highly doubt that shredders in Japan practice the basics, I mean really drill the basics. I am aware that, as footbag is a skill, the best way to get better is to play, however I see a lack of variety in practice. In other words, I got the impression that if someone wants to become able to throw ripwalks for example, they practice ripwalks. This is important, but what's equally if not more important is to practice the components of ripwalk (any move of course). I don't see people hitting stepping same clipper or stepping op clipper. This is not only with ripwalks, but with a variety of moves. I tried my best to point out to those that I kicked with to try different moves, more basic components, and then go back to the actual move they want to hit. I'm sure that this is not solely Japan, however it bothers me because the sport is fairly new in Japan, and everyone's beginning has such an affect on their future game, and if the foundation is flawed, how can the future not be flawed. The other thing that bothers me is that it takes someone to tell them before they realize. If you put a little bit of thought into it, it seems like you will, to an extent, realize what it is that you are doing right or wrong, and thus take measures to fix it. That is what I have started to do. I make the same mistakes that I have mentioned above, but that will change. All of this is one reason why I love tournaments, and why everyone should go to them, especially worlds.

Peace,

PS I almost hit zulu drifter > zulu drifter

ednie · Post by **ednie** » 25 Jun 2008 03:21

hey TJ

great to hear that your girlfriend is doing footbag!!!!
So is mine hahahah
its so cool - i am in winter here though and not playing alot

i totally agree with what you are saying about jap players not doing any basics whatsoever... and they can deconstruct moves to get better at them - it was a pretty major point in my manual - i guess it didnt help.

i want to hear more about kenzo - how is that guy going?
I think you really must have leveled up ! good stuff man

I think you can go faster if you practice some sprints every now and again - i think that is a big thing that would level you up -

alex is really in the dumps about footbag and doesnt want to play at all. its really bad..... i dont even think i can approach him in general now...

anyway

please tell suekichi on text message to email me from a computer
asap

thanks

dan

max · Post by **max** » 25 Jun 2008 03:33

what's zulu drifter?

props on your combos

Muffinman · Post by **Muffinman** » 25 Jun 2008 10:38

max wrote:what's zulu drifter?

props on your combos

That's a technical name, Max

clip > dive [BOD] >> op in [DEX] > same clip [XBD][DEL]

Tjuggles · Post by **Tjuggles** » 01 Jul 2008 18:09

Dan:
Sorry for the late reply. Ill tell Suekichi to mail you asap.
I should start sprinting; I remember when I was running and kicking, my legs were a lot stronger and faster. Thanks for the reminder. Girlfriends that shred are great, except that sessions are weird; Its hard for me to concentrate like I do playing solo or with other people. Also, it's hard to watch her try and try and not hit a trick. Oh well, that footbag. She will get better, but her attitude is not the best. She is starting to think that she is too old to start, and that her 'ki' is 'muiteinai', if you know what I mean. I have told her that everyone has bad days, and that if she practices, she will succeed. Plus she has a good coach...

About Japanese players not doing basics...
I think your manual is great. I just don't think that they are reading it, or at least taking it to heart. You can lead a horse to water...

Max:
Thanks for the props.

Erik:
Thanks for the notation.

Tjuggles · Post by **Tjuggles** » 17 Jul 2008 23:37

Long time,

Yesterday I played with Kenzo.

I hit:

Vertigo x 4

P drifter x 10 and x 11 (diff sides)

Peace

Tjuggles · Post by **Tjuggles** » 26 Aug 2008 05:56

Japan Footbag Champs are Sept 13 and 14th in Tokyo. Can't wait!

I still am not that motivated to practice routines...

The other day I hit my first FOUR DEX!

Pixie paradon swirl!

I also hit whirr x 2 today

ednie · Post by **ednie** » 28 Aug 2008 00:16

Hey TJ!

great to hear you are still pushing the hard tricks!
how is your gf's footbag going?

two years in tokyo in a row kind of breaks the usual order doesnt it?
i bet everyone is wondering if takumi (he who hits gyro barroque at the end of his runs) will hit his routine!

I'll be watching out for all the videos for sure

talk soon
dan

mosher · Post by **mosher** » 29 Aug 2008 07:46

TJ, all your highlights on this page are fucking incredible.

I miss you buddy.

Tom

Tjuggles · Post by **Tjuggles** » 16 Sep 2008 22:21

mosher wrote:TJ, all your highlights on this page are fucking incredible.

I miss you buddy.

Tom

I miss you too. I was talking about you at the Japan Footbag Champs this past weekend.

JFC 2008 Thoughts and Reflections

Site, etc.

This past weekend, in Tokyo (13th and 14th), was JFC. Overall, in hindsight, the tourney was 80 out of 100. It was run well, however I think that the sight was hard to find, as well as being in a spot with not a lot of non-footbagger traffic, thus reducing the amount of spectators. It was held in a gym. I dont like gyms. I have to worry about my feet slipping on the surface. If you watch Takumi's routine, you will see what I mean.

Personal

This was the first time since 2005 that I havent been first or second place. That's something that I don't care about too much. Of course I would be upset if someone beat me, but what happened this year wasnt really that. I didn't practice enough, barely made time for big three practice, and it showed. I got beat and it was all my fault. That is what hurts the most. I let myself down, however I am going to do everything that I can to ensure that it doesn't happen again. I will be prepared for TSG in April.
I love footbag. I want to play just because it feels good, not so that I can win some tournament. I think that and then get really pissed when I don't win. That's called "Mujun" in Japanese.

I hit my second 7 add

Montage

Monday, the 16th, after getting advice from Takumi. Thanks Ta-chan

I will update with videos when I find them...

Peace,
TJ

rSSn · Post by **rSSn** » 18 Sep 2008 10:11

Greetings TJ,
It's Andrew, a student who was at Kansai Gaidai in 2007-2008.
I started playing with a crocheted hacky sack about a year ago, and then met you on campus by accident. Wanted to thank you for that encounter.
It's now been 12 months and I'm starting to get better at clippers and simple 1 dex stuff. Got a pair of quantums, but finding them pretty weird so far (need better insoles for sure).

Anyways, I saw your TV appearances on Youtube a while ago guys, keep it up! If I come back to Osaka for work next year, I would like to get involved more in footbag. Hopefully by then I'd be able to offer a little more than just 1-adds.

Tjuggles · Post by **Tjuggles** » 18 Sep 2008 21:21

Hey Andrew! Welcome to Modified, I think...based on your post count anyway. I'm really glad to hear that you are still kicking and improving. How's that bag that you got off me? Still shredable I hope. I didn't realized that like 6 months had passed and you already left Japan! Man, time is going by so fast. Glad to hear you are alive and well.

As far as offering more than just one adds, that only thing I want to you remember is that you should absolutely DIAL those one adds; if you don't they WILL come back and haunt you, trust me. I mean drill them yo. Then two adds. Do not forget that.

Yeah man, I'll be here kicking, so just let me know when you head back out. You are always welcome in a circle yo.

Unrelatedly, don't stop studying Japanese; it's really easy to get out of the loop not being here after being here.

Oh, about insoles, I don't wear insoles. Try that maybe?

Peace,
TJ

Tjuggles · Post by **Tjuggles** » 30 Sep 2008 20:01

So, yesterday I hit:

Flip whirlygig
Pixie ducking symp whirl

two new six-adds!

TJ

Tjuggles · Post by **Tjuggles** » 01 Aug 2009 19:24

Worlds 2009:

Worlds in Berlin had its ups and downs. The tournament was really well run, had great parties, lots of perks, and was in general a great place to be to start off my summer. Much thanks to the Berlin crew and everyone that helped make the tourney awesome. I won't soon forget how much fun I had. It was really great to see everyone that I hadn't since 2006, and one reason that I love this sport is because everyone is so nice and instantly remembers your name. I can't wait to see everyone next year!

On a personal level, it was also a great wake up call, which I knew it would be. It was a great pleasure to see some of the top level players and how much progress they have made and are continuing to make. It was also a great opportunity to finally get my ass into gear. I got a lot of great advice from some great people about how they think about tricks, concepts, sets, etc., and also got some good ideas about a training schedule (thanks Nick). Since returning from Berlin, although being busy trying to finish up work for the semester (finishing grades and handing them in) I have been shredding more or less regularly, however my method has changed dramatically. I learned that Nick practices tiltless SERIOUSLY while he is training, which gave me a lot of motivation to try it out. So far I have been drilling basics x 100. For example, L mirage, R mirage, alternating mirage. The same goes for clippers and illusions. I plan to continue this until I nail most of the fundamental moves. After playing as long as I have, and on a world level seeing how much progress I HAVEN'T been making, I decided it was time to change the way that I train. I still have been just shredding when I kick, but nothing serious. I think once I meet up with Kenzo and we shred together, that will change.

I am sort of worried about this training method because I fear that by not at least attempting the certain tricks (e.g. more difficult tricks) that I can hit sometimes, that I will forget them. On the other hand, I think that the best thing that I can do for my game (and my body) is to practice the basics, then practice them some more. I have to believe that by doing that, I will improve. I mean look and some of the best players. They played a lot, no doubt, however once their foundation became strong, their game level skyrocketed.

On a lighter note, I did throw the best shred 30 run in my career so far (a mere 158) so I am happy about that. I can do better. I want to break 200.

Again, thanks everyone for a great week in Berlin!