Ben Skaggs

Keep a diary of what you're hitting, what's frustrating you, and your goals.
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professor
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Post by professor »

I've been looking around the modified at work and found this classic gem in the "Who is better at footbag, Jorden or Vasek" topic:
Byrin wrote:As someone / several people pointed out already, everyone has their strong points and weakpoints, so it is incredibly difficult to determine who is better than who. Jorden has creativity and unique tricks up the wazoo while Vasek is stock-piled with technical difficulty and consistancy.

For those who still don't get it, check this out:

We've all played pokemon, right? Honestly, I think a fuckload of us have (myself included Razz). Well everyone knows that no pokemon is in fact the most powerful pokemon - they all have their strengths and weaknesses. Charmander, the fire-type pokemon, is weak against Squirtle, the water type, who in turn is weak against Bulbasuar, the grass type. Charmander has a natural edge against Bulbasuar - fire burns plants - and thus we have a little circle where no one is clearly the strongest pokemon of those three.

Now Vasek can be compared to Mewtwo - an incredibly powerful Pyschic type pokemon who has unmatched strengths and abilities. His power is felt when he's on the scene and all pokemon cower before him!

HOWEVER

Mewtwo is a pyschic type pokemon, meaning that a right type of Bug pokemon has the natural edge over even this powerhouse. Jorden could very well be that bug, but it will take one crazy motha of a bug to bring the pyschic-type down. It's only a matter of time before Jorden "levels up and learns new TMs" before he has the opportunity to surpass Vasek - the pyschic type. Like a pokemon can only reach level 100 and be pumped up with so many drugs, a human can only exert so much before the force created on their legs give out. If (or when) this happens to Vasek, he'll still only be a pyschic type pokemon, meaning he has a weakness. Jorden (or ANYONE ELSE for that matter) may be strong in the area in which Vasek lacks. Bling blang, we have a veiner.

Then it's just a cycle until the next person is toppled.
Isilwar wrote:It was fun hanging out at uso, I hope we get to score shred30 again soon. NYJ? :P
I know you kinda meant it as a joke, but I thought it was kinda fun scoring it with you. Even though you beat me by .5 points. Jerk.
Ben Skaggs

Amateurs practice until they can get it right.
Professionals practice until they can't get it wrong.

No, I don't play soccer. Yes, there are competitions. 4 years. Lots of practice.
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Zac Miley
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Post by Zac Miley »

professor wrote:
Isilwar wrote:It was fun hanging out at uso, I hope we get to score shred30 again soon. NYJ? :P
I know you kinda meant it as a joke, but I thought it was kinda fun scoring it with you. Even though you beat me by .5 points. Jerk.
It was a lot more fun than it could have been, that's for sure.
Jay (8:06:01 PM): Bu-bu-buu-buug--Looks up, and the feeling goes away like a sneeze-bu-buuuh-BULLLSHITTT
Jay (8:06:14 PM): *wipes bellybutton*
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professor
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Post by professor »

1.5 hour session. I'm liking where this is going. Started and ended my session with triforce up to level 10.
Ben Skaggs

Amateurs practice until they can get it right.
Professionals practice until they can't get it wrong.

No, I don't play soccer. Yes, there are competitions. 4 years. Lots of practice.
jeffmudd6
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Post by jeffmudd6 »

Hey Ben,

I'm Glad you enjoyed the voicemail, we just wanted to let you know that we decided you're better than Milan. We go through a lot of random discussion over pizza at the dinner table after a Tuesday Stanford shred, and you just happened to be the topic for a few minutes. We decided that you place 24th in the world. I couldn't tell you all of the 23 above you, it's just a rough estimate. With that being said, you're form is great and your calves are even better (so supple.)

You should definitely try to make a trip up here. Its always nice to have a new shredder in the crew for a few days even. I promise it will be loads of fun and we can even go mini golfing.

We love you too Ben!!!!!

Jeff (and the Stanford Crew)
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professor
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Post by professor »

1.25 hour session. It was mmm...mmm...good! Started the session with Triforce Level 6 (54 contacts, boo!) and ended with Triforce Level 11 (154 contacts, ya!).
Ben Skaggs

Amateurs practice until they can get it right.
Professionals practice until they can't get it wrong.

No, I don't play soccer. Yes, there are competitions. 4 years. Lots of practice.
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professor
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Post by professor »

2 hour session. It was good. Started with triforce level 12 ( 180 contacts ) and ended with triforce level 13 ( 208 contacts ). Both ended with hand catches.
Ben Skaggs

Amateurs practice until they can get it right.
Professionals practice until they can't get it wrong.

No, I don't play soccer. Yes, there are competitions. 4 years. Lots of practice.
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professor
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Post by professor »

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XGMNMhsdl-s[/youtube]

Download: http://www.footbag.org/gallery/show/14728

From yesterday. No super long runs, but some higher level shred. Plus it was 109 degrees out and humid so I felt like I was going to die after every run.

Some observations:
1. I need to not pull the osis through on my torques.
2. My mirages still seem odd.
3. Weird looking atomics and whirls.
Ben Skaggs

Amateurs practice until they can get it right.
Professionals practice until they can't get it wrong.

No, I don't play soccer. Yes, there are competitions. 4 years. Lots of practice.
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Post by professor »

1.5 hour session. First bad one since the USO. I could hit combos and stuff, just couldn't consistently put a good run together.
Ben Skaggs

Amateurs practice until they can get it right.
Professionals practice until they can't get it wrong.

No, I don't play soccer. Yes, there are competitions. 4 years. Lots of practice.
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Sporatical_Distractions
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Post by Sporatical_Distractions »

That' probably the sickest video I've ever seen of you soloing! Awesome drills and links!
Welcome to Flavortown

Kevin Crowley
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Zac Miley
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Post by Zac Miley »

Liked that video Ben. Keep it up.
Jay (8:06:01 PM): Bu-bu-buu-buug--Looks up, and the feeling goes away like a sneeze-bu-buuuh-BULLLSHITTT
Jay (8:06:14 PM): *wipes bellybutton*
LEGOMAN
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Post by LEGOMAN »

am i still your nemesis? D:
People that like LEGOMAN - 10
People that hate LEGOMAN - 1000
LEGOMAN´s posts - Priceless
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professor
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Post by professor »

@ Kevin & Zac: I'm glad you both liked it. :D
@ Kyle: Always and forever.

1 hour drilling session. I enjoyed it. Felt better than this afternoon's session.
Ben Skaggs

Amateurs practice until they can get it right.
Professionals practice until they can't get it wrong.

No, I don't play soccer. Yes, there are competitions. 4 years. Lots of practice.
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professor
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Post by professor »

1.5 hour drilling session. Nothing spectacular, but I'm happy with it.
Ben Skaggs

Amateurs practice until they can get it right.
Professionals practice until they can't get it wrong.

No, I don't play soccer. Yes, there are competitions. 4 years. Lots of practice.
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professor
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Post by professor »

1 hour form training/comparison/study. Clipper, butterfly, and stepping study.
Ben Skaggs

Amateurs practice until they can get it right.
Professionals practice until they can't get it wrong.

No, I don't play soccer. Yes, there are competitions. 4 years. Lots of practice.
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professor
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Post by professor »

2+ hour shred session. Did alright. Not awesome, not horrible.
Ben Skaggs

Amateurs practice until they can get it right.
Professionals practice until they can't get it wrong.

No, I don't play soccer. Yes, there are competitions. 4 years. Lots of practice.
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professor
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Post by professor »

Planning on a barefoot session tonight cause I work late. Boo!

I wonder what a cramp in your shin muscle would feel like....
I've had them in my hamstring, calf, and next to my knee and they hurt like a mother, but I kinda want to feel one in my shin muscle. It's a weird spot to have a cramp.

Anyway, if I hit some cool stuff tonight I'll post it.
Ben Skaggs

Amateurs practice until they can get it right.
Professionals practice until they can't get it wrong.

No, I don't play soccer. Yes, there are competitions. 4 years. Lots of practice.
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professor
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Post by professor »

1.25 hour shred session. Played pretty well. Near the end I looked down at my psp and saw Dave hit jani > whirlygig on the Cleaver video. So I decided it would be a cool combo to hit. So I hit it second try. There you go Zac. A highlight.

Oh ya, no barefoot tonight. Decided to go serious.
Ben Skaggs

Amateurs practice until they can get it right.
Professionals practice until they can't get it wrong.

No, I don't play soccer. Yes, there are competitions. 4 years. Lots of practice.
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Zac Miley
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Post by Zac Miley »

A response because you posted a highlight.
Jay (8:06:01 PM): Bu-bu-buu-buug--Looks up, and the feeling goes away like a sneeze-bu-buuuh-BULLLSHITTT
Jay (8:06:14 PM): *wipes bellybutton*
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professor
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Post by professor »

Oh, so the exchange rate is one highlight for one response? That's fair.
Ben Skaggs

Amateurs practice until they can get it right.
Professionals practice until they can't get it wrong.

No, I don't play soccer. Yes, there are competitions. 4 years. Lots of practice.
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Rieferman
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Post by Rieferman »

damn, I just realized I'm guilty of something that drives me nuts. I like getting comments from readers of my blog - it's motivating. But here I sit reading your blog for weeks on end without a comment. I'll do better.

Nice highlight. I always like the vids too. :-)
Bob R.
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