So, I played footbag for like a week in college, then another 3 weeks later on in college, and just found my lavers and bag last week and am giving it another go!
I'm bored so I figured I'd start a footbag blog, partly to keep track of my progress and partly to help me stay into footbag (if other people are reading I'll have to keep shredding!)
I figure I'll try and start off making a post here every time I play but we'll see how it goes
I know the rules in this forum said only post in your own blog but if anyone had any advice/opinions/or just wants to say hi please feel free!!!!
The Master List:
--Goals--
Get better stamina for longer runs
Hit Illusion, Pixie, and Fairy
Hit Clippers more reliably
Work tiltless strings (current longest is 2, lol)
--2add--
ATW
Legover
Pickup
Clipper
Mirage
--Best String--
Legover > ATW
Josh's Blog (aka: newbie hopes)
Josh's Blog (aka: newbie hopes)
Last edited by Nitrox on 12 Feb 2009 06:55, edited 3 times in total.
2/1/09
Got some good practice in today...
Getting better at kicks, can do like 10ish alternating inside kicks
Still having issues with toe kicks though, can't set them straight and can barely kick the thing up with my flipside
Stalls are getting better, hit 20 alternating toe stalls today!
They're not going smoothly though, I kinda pause in between each one instead of that fancy hop I see good players do
Inside and outside stalls are going better as well
As far as tricks, working on my dexes with my flipside, they're getting a little cleaner but I keep hitting really thin ones on my flip
Hit a pickup for the first time today, dunno why but that was giving me some issues
Can't do a legover or pickup without hopping after the set though, need to work on getting the motion smoother and can try to plant my setting foot first
Clippers are rough...but I'm doing wraps to try and work on them
Getting better at kicks, can do like 10ish alternating inside kicks
Still having issues with toe kicks though, can't set them straight and can barely kick the thing up with my flipside
Stalls are getting better, hit 20 alternating toe stalls today!
They're not going smoothly though, I kinda pause in between each one instead of that fancy hop I see good players do
Inside and outside stalls are going better as well
As far as tricks, working on my dexes with my flipside, they're getting a little cleaner but I keep hitting really thin ones on my flip
Hit a pickup for the first time today, dunno why but that was giving me some issues
Can't do a legover or pickup without hopping after the set though, need to work on getting the motion smoother and can try to plant my setting foot first
Clippers are rough...but I'm doing wraps to try and work on them
Welcome back to footbag. In no particular order, here's a bunch of thoughts.
1. Work your basic kicks a lot. Overall it helps you develop confidence in your mastery of the bag. It's also a great way to warm up.
2. Rhythm is a big part of footbag. As you observed, good players have a bounce and rhythm to their toe stalls. Indeed, this rhythmic hop is in all tricks. Try to learn it with toe stalls, then apply it to all other tricks you do.
3. Learn everything on both sides. This is especially critical in the early stages, since it will affect your ability to hit harder tricks and strings. Alternating toe stalls is a good place to start.
4. Wraps are a good way to learn clipper form at first. Remember, when you actually do learn clippers, there should be the same sinking motion that you have with toe stalls.
5. Try and find other footbaggers in your area. In a similar vein, go to a tournament. This is the best way to improve quickly.
6. You may want to take video of yourself. You'd be surprised how much you can learn from a 3rd person perspective, as opposed to the 1st person view.
Good luck, I look forward to seeing your progress.
1. Work your basic kicks a lot. Overall it helps you develop confidence in your mastery of the bag. It's also a great way to warm up.
2. Rhythm is a big part of footbag. As you observed, good players have a bounce and rhythm to their toe stalls. Indeed, this rhythmic hop is in all tricks. Try to learn it with toe stalls, then apply it to all other tricks you do.
3. Learn everything on both sides. This is especially critical in the early stages, since it will affect your ability to hit harder tricks and strings. Alternating toe stalls is a good place to start.
4. Wraps are a good way to learn clipper form at first. Remember, when you actually do learn clippers, there should be the same sinking motion that you have with toe stalls.
5. Try and find other footbaggers in your area. In a similar vein, go to a tournament. This is the best way to improve quickly.
6. You may want to take video of yourself. You'd be surprised how much you can learn from a 3rd person perspective, as opposed to the 1st person view.
Good luck, I look forward to seeing your progress.
Re: 2/1/09
Oh, and this is actually a good thing. You want to do legovers by hopping off the support leg, so the dex occurs as your set leg hits the floor. Maybe I'll make a short video to explain what I mean and post it here.Nitrox wrote:
Can't do a legover or pickup without hopping after the set though, need to work on getting the motion smoother and can try to plant my setting foot first
Thanks for all the advice Ken!
haha, it's funny but seeing someone else post here sorta...drives me to do more and get better so I can impress you
1. I've read that like...every place I've looked so I also do kicks for 5-10 to warm up. And I don't stop my "warmup" until I get a certain number of consecutives (currently 10)
2. Been trying that a lot when I work my consecutive toe stalls, haven't once got it right yet...I always hop at the wrong time and I look like a 'tard, but I've been watching more videos and I'll keep trying
3. Definitely
Whenever I drill I make myself hit a move a certain number of times on each side, so my flipside ends up getting more practice and stronger.
5. That's proving to be difficult...I don't see any tourneys around here and the only other players I can find are both just kickers (not that that's a bad thing, but I don't know if it'll make me a better player)
6. I'll try and start doing that! Dunno if my crappy webcam will be good enough to actually see me doing anything though, we'll see
As far as legovers...I do a hop and my support leg does hit as I'm dexing, so as I land I bend my support leg to cushion the toe stall - when I looked online (Anz's tutorial vids) for legovers he doesn't hop, just plants and then dexes, that's why I thought I was doing it wrong
haha, it's funny but seeing someone else post here sorta...drives me to do more and get better so I can impress you
1. I've read that like...every place I've looked so I also do kicks for 5-10 to warm up. And I don't stop my "warmup" until I get a certain number of consecutives (currently 10)
2. Been trying that a lot when I work my consecutive toe stalls, haven't once got it right yet...I always hop at the wrong time and I look like a 'tard, but I've been watching more videos and I'll keep trying
3. Definitely
Whenever I drill I make myself hit a move a certain number of times on each side, so my flipside ends up getting more practice and stronger.5. That's proving to be difficult...I don't see any tourneys around here and the only other players I can find are both just kickers (not that that's a bad thing, but I don't know if it'll make me a better player)
6. I'll try and start doing that! Dunno if my crappy webcam will be good enough to actually see me doing anything though, we'll see
As far as legovers...I do a hop and my support leg does hit as I'm dexing, so as I land I bend my support leg to cushion the toe stall - when I looked online (Anz's tutorial vids) for legovers he doesn't hop, just plants and then dexes, that's why I thought I was doing it wrong
2/4/09
Just got done with another practice session...
Kicks are the same, still having a hard time with toe kicks.
I can only do them far away from my body, if I don't the bag always gets kicked away from me...and still difficult on my flipside
Stalls are going nicely, seems my biggest issue with consistency on stalls is bending my support leg, sometimes I'll start forgetting to do it and my stalls aren't as clean
Tricks are going ok...still can't hit mirage/illusion/pixie/fairy or clipper, but I'm working more on getting my kicks and stalls better
I've heard going slow and making sure you're solid on basics isn't a bad thing
Prob won't play much until Monday 'cause this weekend is my niece's bat-mitzvah and there'll be tons of family in and whatnot, so have a good weekend everyone!
Kicks are the same, still having a hard time with toe kicks.
I can only do them far away from my body, if I don't the bag always gets kicked away from me...and still difficult on my flipside
Stalls are going nicely, seems my biggest issue with consistency on stalls is bending my support leg, sometimes I'll start forgetting to do it and my stalls aren't as clean
Tricks are going ok...still can't hit mirage/illusion/pixie/fairy or clipper, but I'm working more on getting my kicks and stalls better
I've heard going slow and making sure you're solid on basics isn't a bad thing
Prob won't play much until Monday 'cause this weekend is my niece's bat-mitzvah and there'll be tons of family in and whatnot, so have a good weekend everyone!
So...I know I'm not that good, and still a very much beginner...but I just bought 2 new footbags
Gary bags are inexpensive and lookin good so I bought a mini and reg
Can't wait to play with them!
Oh...and I finally finished modding my lavers last night
When I first got them I of course removed the stiching from the toe box but I left it at that until last night
I removed the outer layer (guess that's the mesh) on toe, inside, and outside
Also removed the first eyelet and laced 'em up all nice and right
But...of course I did all this after my practice yesterday and my butt was really sore so I only played around with my newly improved shoes for like 5 minutes, couldn't tell a difference yet but we'll see
Gary bags are inexpensive and lookin good so I bought a mini and reg
Can't wait to play with them!
Oh...and I finally finished modding my lavers last night
When I first got them I of course removed the stiching from the toe box but I left it at that until last night
I removed the outer layer (guess that's the mesh) on toe, inside, and outside
Also removed the first eyelet and laced 'em up all nice and right
But...of course I did all this after my practice yesterday and my butt was really sore so I only played around with my newly improved shoes for like 5 minutes, couldn't tell a difference yet but we'll see
In an effort to keep me more motivated since I play solo I've made a challenge thread...so, go challenge me!
http://modified.in/footbag/viewtopic.php?t=19947
And...can't wait to play tonight after a long busy family weekend
http://modified.in/footbag/viewtopic.php?t=19947
And...can't wait to play tonight after a long busy family weekend
2/9/09
Great session today...after 5 days no footbag
Kicks are getting a lot better, and my toe kicks are getting nicer (though I can't knock 'em off like the others)
Stalls are better, inside is soooooooooo much better since I modded my lavers
I'm starting to really get that rhythm down on my toe stalls, got 12 consecutive today, all with that nice little hop between
Delays in general are getting better now that I'm really concentrating on bending my support leg on contact
Flipside dexes are still awkward, but I'm really drilling them
Still no luck with mirage, illusion, pixie, or fairy...though I'm sure I looked mighty funny doing them!!!! For mirage I can't finish the dex fast enough, and pixie can't do it soon enough, lol
Oh well..cya all later!
Kicks are getting a lot better, and my toe kicks are getting nicer (though I can't knock 'em off like the others)
Stalls are better, inside is soooooooooo much better since I modded my lavers
I'm starting to really get that rhythm down on my toe stalls, got 12 consecutive today, all with that nice little hop between
Delays in general are getting better now that I'm really concentrating on bending my support leg on contact
Flipside dexes are still awkward, but I'm really drilling them
Still no luck with mirage, illusion, pixie, or fairy...though I'm sure I looked mighty funny doing them!!!! For mirage I can't finish the dex fast enough, and pixie can't do it soon enough, lol
Oh well..cya all later!
2/10/09
Short session today, gf was buggin me
But...
I hit a mirage!!!!!!!!!!
Only landed one, and only strong side, but yay!
I mostly worked inside stalls and clippers today though
Inside stalls are getting a lot more consistent, got 4 consecutives today
Landed a few clippers...a very few - like out of 100 times I let go of the bag I hit a clipper less than 10, lol
So mirage + more clippers = good day for me!
My right knee and left hip are bugging me though, might take tomorrow off
It's making left clippers difficult
But...
I hit a mirage!!!!!!!!!!
Only landed one, and only strong side, but yay!
I mostly worked inside stalls and clippers today though
Inside stalls are getting a lot more consistent, got 4 consecutives today
Landed a few clippers...a very few - like out of 100 times I let go of the bag I hit a clipper less than 10, lol
So mirage + more clippers = good day for me!
My right knee and left hip are bugging me though, might take tomorrow off
It's making left clippers difficult
So, question for anyone reading this who has passed tiltless...
My overall goal is to reach tiltless, mostly so I can actually shred in circles or public and not look like a dumbass
I'd like to be able to reliably do 10+ 2add, with being able to sometimes get 20+ tiltless, before I even try and move on to the 3adds
My reason for this is everyone says to have a strong foundation, and if they could go back in time they'd have a stronger foundation, etc...
So I'd like my clippers super solid, single dexes nice and smooth
Is this a good idea? Or once I have clippers ok (maybe 10x alternating), should I move onto trying butterly even though my clippers aren't perfect and can't hit illusion great...or should I stay at 2add until they're all awesome and I can do it with my eyes closed until I move up?
My overall goal is to reach tiltless, mostly so I can actually shred in circles or public and not look like a dumbass
I'd like to be able to reliably do 10+ 2add, with being able to sometimes get 20+ tiltless, before I even try and move on to the 3adds
My reason for this is everyone says to have a strong foundation, and if they could go back in time they'd have a stronger foundation, etc...
So I'd like my clippers super solid, single dexes nice and smooth
Is this a good idea? Or once I have clippers ok (maybe 10x alternating), should I move onto trying butterly even though my clippers aren't perfect and can't hit illusion great...or should I stay at 2add until they're all awesome and I can do it with my eyes closed until I move up?
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PoisonTaffy
- Egyptian Footgod
- Posts: 1003
- Joined: 23 Jun 2007 15:42
- Location: Israel, center
- Contact:
Once you have reasonable clippers, Butterfly should be on the same difficulty level of most 2 add tricks, so you should go for it, imo, as soon as you can hit consecutive same side clippers without dropping too often.
Unless you're a prodigy, getting perfect clippers and perfect 2 adds will simply take some time, some learning, some unlearning, and holding back on moving on to the lower-difficulty 3 add, imo, could impair your progress. You might not know that your technique is lacking until you try a more advanced trick that is a compound of the components you thought you had down
I would forget about uptime moves (pixie, fairy) for now, perhaps even illusion. Work on mirage, leg over, pickup and clipper.
For mirage - a good tip that helped me is to focus on the stall after the trick, since that's the most difficult part. The dex will happen even if you don't pay special attention to it. Just concentrate on having your stalling foot ready under the bag after the dex, and eventually you'll get the timing right!
Unless you're a prodigy, getting perfect clippers and perfect 2 adds will simply take some time, some learning, some unlearning, and holding back on moving on to the lower-difficulty 3 add, imo, could impair your progress. You might not know that your technique is lacking until you try a more advanced trick that is a compound of the components you thought you had down
I would forget about uptime moves (pixie, fairy) for now, perhaps even illusion. Work on mirage, leg over, pickup and clipper.
For mirage - a good tip that helped me is to focus on the stall after the trick, since that's the most difficult part. The dex will happen even if you don't pay special attention to it. Just concentrate on having your stalling foot ready under the bag after the dex, and eventually you'll get the timing right!
"Childhood is short, immaturity is forever"
Roy Klein
Roy Klein
-
PoisonTaffy
- Egyptian Footgod
- Posts: 1003
- Joined: 23 Jun 2007 15:42
- Location: Israel, center
- Contact:
Thanks for the advice!
Good point about not knowing if there's a flaw until I start trying the harder stuff...
As for mirage, yea, I only hit it once
My issue is I'm getting the dex fine, and my foot is under the bag, but I don't have the timing right and the bag just hits my foot and rolls off every time instead of delaying, lol - I think just some more practicing until I get it again, just hope I don't have too much trouble with it flipside!
Pixie and fairy, I shouldn't be trying those now?
I've got legover pretty solid, and pickup is coming along nicely
Wow...it really is amazing how much progress you can make in only 2 weeks!
Good point about not knowing if there's a flaw until I start trying the harder stuff...
As for mirage, yea, I only hit it once
My issue is I'm getting the dex fine, and my foot is under the bag, but I don't have the timing right and the bag just hits my foot and rolls off every time instead of delaying, lol - I think just some more practicing until I get it again, just hope I don't have too much trouble with it flipside!
Pixie and fairy, I shouldn't be trying those now?
I've got legover pretty solid, and pickup is coming along nicely
Wow...it really is amazing how much progress you can make in only 2 weeks!
2/11/09
Short session last night, I was tired and my knee was kinda bugging me...
Nothing of note really, except I hit my first tiltless string, hahaha
legover > atw, weaksauce I know but I was excited!
Inside stalls are getting better and better, clippers still suck, and that's all folks!
Nothing of note really, except I hit my first tiltless string, hahaha
legover > atw, weaksauce I know but I was excited!
Inside stalls are getting better and better, clippers still suck, and that's all folks!
This is a good overall goal, but you don't have to be militant about it. Skool the crap out of your twos, but once they start getting solid, it's OK to toy around with BOP (butterfly, osis, paradox mirage) for a bit. But putting in the time to work your clippers and mirages will make BOP easier, so if you are having trouble with BOP, go back and skool the components.Nitrox wrote: I'd like to be able to reliably do 10+ 2add, with being able to sometimes get 20+ tiltless, before I even try and move on to the 3adds
Congrats on your recent progress. Keep at it!
2/15/09
First time playing in 4 days, I really shouldn't take that long of a break, I was a bit rusty
But good news, I hit a regular Legover (no hop)
Took me like 20 tries to hit it the first time, then it was much easier
I'm really starting to get the hang out twisting my hips and oh my god does that make dexes easier
Anyone reading this who is new watch videos of the pros and see how they twist their hips and try to mimic that for your dexes, makes everything smoother
All stalls and kicks are getting better, got 5 alternating toe kicks today which is much better than my old record of 1, lol
4 alternating inside stalls woo
I also spent a lot of time just doing ATW in/out on both legs to get my dexes cleaner and more comfortable
And after all that I was so tired I stopped, so no new strings or mirages
I really need to work on my clippers though, I still can't hit more than one in 20, any good drills for clippers? What I've been doing is wraps, and then just dropping them close to my foot a billion times on each side
But good news, I hit a regular Legover (no hop)
Took me like 20 tries to hit it the first time, then it was much easier
I'm really starting to get the hang out twisting my hips and oh my god does that make dexes easier
Anyone reading this who is new watch videos of the pros and see how they twist their hips and try to mimic that for your dexes, makes everything smoother
All stalls and kicks are getting better, got 5 alternating toe kicks today which is much better than my old record of 1, lol
4 alternating inside stalls woo
I also spent a lot of time just doing ATW in/out on both legs to get my dexes cleaner and more comfortable
And after all that I was so tired I stopped, so no new strings or mirages
I really need to work on my clippers though, I still can't hit more than one in 20, any good drills for clippers? What I've been doing is wraps, and then just dropping them close to my foot a billion times on each side
2/16/09
Kicks-
21 alternating inside kicks woo, I coulda kept going but I looked up at the light and lost track of the ball, lol
Outside kicks are hard to do alternating, got 4, but I'm hitting them nicely just difficult to twist and do them back and forth
Toe kicks are still rough but they're getting much cleaner
Delays-
33 toe delays, lookin good
Insides are tough to do alternating, but they're getting muuuch better, there's actually a delay 9/10 times but when doing alternating my sets get a little out of control so I can't get more than 4x
Outsides are rough for the same reason as outside kicks, can do 'em no prob hand 2 hand, but alternating is difficult
Dexes-
3x atw out!
regular Legovers getting better, symple are great
pickups are hard regular, muuuch easier symple
Clippers-
Schooled them forEVER today!
I held out my foot in clipper position and dropped the back from just a few inches then delayed and caught
Did that on each side until I got 10 in a row
Then did it from higher
Rinse, repeat...
And now I can do them reliably from 1ft above my foot woo!!!!!!!!
I"ll work more on my dexes tomorrow, gotta really work that hip movement, it's making everything cleaner and easier, I fucking love footbag
aaaand, just fucking around for 5min while I was doing toe delays...I did a ducking toe delay, hehe
Then I was so tired no time for strings or mirages
My endurance is shit I really should quit smoking and do some more cardio, lol --- the only other physical activity I do is it and rock climbing, but that isn't endurance heavy at all :-\
Oh well, 1+ hours of this a day and I'm already noticing a huge improvement in my cardio, can only imagine what a another month or two will do!!!
And thanks to anyone who read this, haha, I'm in a typing mood
21 alternating inside kicks woo, I coulda kept going but I looked up at the light and lost track of the ball, lol
Outside kicks are hard to do alternating, got 4, but I'm hitting them nicely just difficult to twist and do them back and forth
Toe kicks are still rough but they're getting much cleaner
Delays-
33 toe delays, lookin good
Insides are tough to do alternating, but they're getting muuuch better, there's actually a delay 9/10 times but when doing alternating my sets get a little out of control so I can't get more than 4x
Outsides are rough for the same reason as outside kicks, can do 'em no prob hand 2 hand, but alternating is difficult
Dexes-
3x atw out!
regular Legovers getting better, symple are great
pickups are hard regular, muuuch easier symple
Clippers-
Schooled them forEVER today!
I held out my foot in clipper position and dropped the back from just a few inches then delayed and caught
Did that on each side until I got 10 in a row
Then did it from higher
Rinse, repeat...
And now I can do them reliably from 1ft above my foot woo!!!!!!!!
I"ll work more on my dexes tomorrow, gotta really work that hip movement, it's making everything cleaner and easier, I fucking love footbag
aaaand, just fucking around for 5min while I was doing toe delays...I did a ducking toe delay, hehe
Then I was so tired no time for strings or mirages
My endurance is shit
I really should quit smoking and do some more cardio, lol --- the only other physical activity I do is it and rock climbing, but that isn't endurance heavy at all :-\Oh well, 1+ hours of this a day and I'm already noticing a huge improvement in my cardio, can only imagine what a another month or two will do!!!
And thanks to anyone who read this, haha, I'm in a typing mood
2/17/09
Good practice today
Spent all my time on dexes...worked ATW, they're good but sometimes I rush it and start the dex before the bag is all the way off my foot
Legovers are going really well, took me a bit to get used to doing them without a hop but now my dexes are much faster and smoother and all is well
Been trying consecutive legovers for a while and just kept getting 2x, then my second set was sloppy or my leg missed or whatever
But now I'm tired...so cya!
Oh oh, and I got my new 2 bags in the mail today! They're friggin sweeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeet
Spent all my time on dexes...worked ATW, they're good but sometimes I rush it and start the dex before the bag is all the way off my foot
Legovers are going really well, took me a bit to get used to doing them without a hop but now my dexes are much faster and smoother and all is well
Been trying consecutive legovers for a while and just kept getting 2x, then my second set was sloppy or my leg missed or whatever
But now I'm tired...so cya!
Oh oh, and I got my new 2 bags in the mail today! They're friggin sweeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeet
2/18/09
Short session today, my legs are hurtin from all the footbag action as of late!
I'm loving my two new bags (thanks Gary!)
Almost hitting mirage, I can get my foot under the bag most of the time now but too late for a delay. I think the dex is good but my switch from dexing leg to support leg is not very clean and is what is costing me too much time I think
I'll try and take some vids this weekend with all my different tricks and maybe y'all can offer up some advice and whatnot. It'd be nice to catch any flaws early on
Other than that I found two guys who shred and live only like an hour away from me, so hopefully I'll have some people to kick with, pretty stoked about that!
Oh, and I hit toe>toe>legover>toe>toe>legover which was a pretty big deal for me, I could have kept going as the set after the second legover was solid but I got too excited and just caught the bag, lol
I'm loving my two new bags (thanks Gary!)
Almost hitting mirage, I can get my foot under the bag most of the time now but too late for a delay. I think the dex is good but my switch from dexing leg to support leg is not very clean and is what is costing me too much time I think
I'll try and take some vids this weekend with all my different tricks and maybe y'all can offer up some advice and whatnot. It'd be nice to catch any flaws early on
Other than that I found two guys who shred and live only like an hour away from me, so hopefully I'll have some people to kick with, pretty stoked about that!
Oh, and I hit toe>toe>legover>toe>toe>legover which was a pretty big deal for me, I could have kept going as the set after the second legover was solid but I got too excited and just caught the bag, lol