So today was my first serious session since I was a high school senior and knew nothing of footbag. Its been just about 7 years. Wow that makes me feel old.
I was very happy when, 2 days ago, I took a gamble and went to the local Adidas factory outlet thinking that was my best chance to find some of these rather elusive Laver's. To my surprise not only did they have some, they had a WALL of them. Green/White, Navy/White, All White in just about every size. After retrieving my lower jaw from the floor, I snagged a pair, tried em on and went to check out. $29.99 please. WHAT? Yes sir, a sale. It was my day. I almost bought another pair, but its bad enough trying to justify buying one pair of shoes and taking a knife to them to my wife.
The next day I checked the mail and there was my new bags fresh from Dragonfly. Now, I know the reputation, I know the basic shunning most modified folks have given them and it may be justified. I don't know the details nor do I really want to get into all that but in their defense, the shipping was fast (even for Hawaii) and for the most part the bags aren't bad. The 32 panel metal filled is the best of the bunch. A little small for my tastes. the other two, an 8 panel and a 24 panel both metal filled, leave a bit to be desired. I find them a bit underfilled. Looks like Dragonfly goes by weight. I threw them on a postage scale and they were all the same. Its ok, Ill kick em anyway.
I threw on the brand spankin new laver's with a toe box mod and took to the lanai (its like a hawaii front porch for you mainlander types) and kicked it around for a quick warmup. I am pretty rusty as far as kicking by the numbers however I did nail a butterfly first try (Strong side). Heres what I managed today:
Toe stalls, both sides locked down
Inside delays pretty solid both sides. Having slight tweak issues left ankle.
Clipper strong side locked, weak side...is weak. Working on that. Definately lacking some pop on both sides. I think that will come with more practice and muscles getting stronger again.
Butterfly strong side is solid. Weak side I find I'm leaning back a bit and even sometimes kicking my other leg. Gotta buy some coordination from Wal*Mart.
Mirage a trick I used to try SO much back in the day but landed maybe 2 times EVER. After some research and the Lavers, today I was able to nail it strong side a handful of times which made me VERY happy. Weak side is weak, but close. I'm having trouble catching the bag and find it bouncing off my left foot. Still, happy.
I tried a couple other tricks I've been youtubing (Thanks Anz, awesome stuff) but to no avail. Feeling a bit slow and unflexable. Then again, it has been 7 years.
Please post any comments, advice, general playful banter here. I'd appreciare it!
Mike's Poser-shreds
Mike's Poser-shreds
Mike Grant
What do you mean mod my Lavers? They're so pretty!
What do you mean mod my Lavers? They're so pretty!
Well, I was doing butterflies back when I was a teenager with my crocheted hacky sacks before I knew anything of the world of freestyle footbag. I think it was the only "move" I ever did. Used to WOW the high school spectators. Little did they know that there is SO much more lol.
I didn't shred today. After 7 years of not using/stretching those footbag muscles, I'm pretty beat up lol. Sad thing is that I run somewhere between 2-4 miles 3 days a week, but after that shred session, I feel like I ran a damn marathon. Even after a heavy running day I'm not this sore. Shredding is good for your chardio thats for sure. Good for flexability. I'm just glad to be back at it again. You don't know how much you miss something untill you start up again.
So I sent a couple PM's out to Matt Cross and Holly Mathews to get my hands on some high quality bags. Both of them are out enjoying different events, for which I am jealous of them for. The Dragonfly isn't trating me bad. But everyone says find a stitcher and get one made, so I'm going to go with the many voices of experience.
Hawaii is nice. Its beautiful no doubt about it. Cannot beat the weather. Downside is its expencive, traffic is horrid, and there is no footbag to speak of that I've found yet. Thats probably why the Adidas outlet is so inundated with Lavers that they are on sale.
I work as a security gaurd at a member's only club on Waikiki. Its RIGHT on the beach and I'm here (at work now actually) from 1030pm to 730am all by my lonesome. I'll tell you what....I'm tempted to bring my footbag stuff, throw it on mid shift and shred a bit out by the water. I could probably get away with it but its such a gravy job I don't want to get caught and mess it up lol. I even bring my stuff in my backpack...oh so tempting. I may do it sometime, just so I can said I did.
In my travels I have made it a point to bring a bag and kick it around. I attended the 60th anniversary of D-Day in Normandy, France. I was a soldier working the event and had a chance to go kick on Utah beach at sunset. It was amazing. I've casually kicked by the numbers in a bunch of European countries. Germany, Italy (Pisa and Rome), Austria, Spain. Well, not Spain, I was busy courting the girl who I married =-)
So when you are all out and about traveling, bring a bag if you don't already. Shred it up whereever you can. Good memories for sure.
I didn't shred today. After 7 years of not using/stretching those footbag muscles, I'm pretty beat up lol. Sad thing is that I run somewhere between 2-4 miles 3 days a week, but after that shred session, I feel like I ran a damn marathon. Even after a heavy running day I'm not this sore. Shredding is good for your chardio thats for sure. Good for flexability. I'm just glad to be back at it again. You don't know how much you miss something untill you start up again.
So I sent a couple PM's out to Matt Cross and Holly Mathews to get my hands on some high quality bags. Both of them are out enjoying different events, for which I am jealous of them for. The Dragonfly isn't trating me bad. But everyone says find a stitcher and get one made, so I'm going to go with the many voices of experience.
Hawaii is nice. Its beautiful no doubt about it. Cannot beat the weather. Downside is its expencive, traffic is horrid, and there is no footbag to speak of that I've found yet. Thats probably why the Adidas outlet is so inundated with Lavers that they are on sale.
I work as a security gaurd at a member's only club on Waikiki. Its RIGHT on the beach and I'm here (at work now actually) from 1030pm to 730am all by my lonesome. I'll tell you what....I'm tempted to bring my footbag stuff, throw it on mid shift and shred a bit out by the water. I could probably get away with it but its such a gravy job I don't want to get caught and mess it up lol. I even bring my stuff in my backpack...oh so tempting. I may do it sometime, just so I can said I did.
In my travels I have made it a point to bring a bag and kick it around. I attended the 60th anniversary of D-Day in Normandy, France. I was a soldier working the event and had a chance to go kick on Utah beach at sunset. It was amazing. I've casually kicked by the numbers in a bunch of European countries. Germany, Italy (Pisa and Rome), Austria, Spain. Well, not Spain, I was busy courting the girl who I married =-)
So when you are all out and about traveling, bring a bag if you don't already. Shred it up whereever you can. Good memories for sure.
Mike Grant
What do you mean mod my Lavers? They're so pretty!
What do you mean mod my Lavers? They're so pretty!
Another shred-less day. I will when I'm off work today though. Finally a couple days off!
Been frequetnting Anz Trickz videos and they are really great. NOTE TO SELF: give some props to Anz for really taking it to the next level helping people out. That goes for all of the "tutorial" video makers actually. The only downfall is that Anz makes it look so damn easy it hurts my feelings!
REALLY kinda wish there were some Hawaii residents that freestyle. Maybe there is. I'd like to get some kick time in with someone whos skilled, we all know what that kind of thing can do for our game.
Anyone wanna come to Hawaii? I have a spare room! lol. If thats not enough, I have guitar hero. A Wii? ITS HAWAII COME ON!
Ah well. More to come next shred.
Been frequetnting Anz Trickz videos and they are really great. NOTE TO SELF: give some props to Anz for really taking it to the next level helping people out. That goes for all of the "tutorial" video makers actually. The only downfall is that Anz makes it look so damn easy it hurts my feelings!
REALLY kinda wish there were some Hawaii residents that freestyle. Maybe there is. I'd like to get some kick time in with someone whos skilled, we all know what that kind of thing can do for our game.
Anyone wanna come to Hawaii? I have a spare room! lol. If thats not enough, I have guitar hero. A Wii? ITS HAWAII COME ON!
Ah well. More to come next shred.
Mike Grant
What do you mean mod my Lavers? They're so pretty!
What do you mean mod my Lavers? They're so pretty!
Had a couple small sessions over the past two days, really hasn't amounted to much progress. I've been kinda busy with a guest at the house this week, on top of work and the usual rat race time for footbag has been pretty limited.
I did try some legovers today just to see where I stand. Looks like I have the dex speed on both legs to make it happen, my timing is just a bit off. I did have one fortunate moment when the bag just sorta landed on my toe and stayed there. I had to laugh at myself. It was my second attempt at the trick ever and I knew that would be the only time I sorta-kinda landed it. And well, I was right.
Clipper drills went ok. Left side still sucks ass, but its improving. I started doing some consecutive drills on my right, only managed three, but thats two more than I ever did before so I'll take it. They seem to be getting stronger, setting higher which is good as well.
I'm starting to think maybe I will focus on the non-clipper related tricks first being that my clipper is weak. I think that will be a more solid foundation to work on. If I can get my mirage and legovers both sides solid then I'll be happy. I think its a reachable goal within a reasonable time frame.
I got in touch with Holly and am purchasing a bag of hers, which is awesomesauce. I think a good bag will help. The more I kick this dragonfly the more I wonder just how different the bags will be.
On another note I was driving around on my days off, and it being summer tons of people are here on vacation (OBVIOUSLY). I couldn't help but think "Man if some of these guys did a couple sessions on the strip in Waikiki they would make BANK". The exposure would be rediculous. And compared to the lame ass street performers I'm sure it would be a hit. If I had the funds I would SO get a "Shred Hawaii" going. I bet Hawaii would like net as well. Obviously volleyball is a big deal here.
Ah well, dreams are fun.
I did try some legovers today just to see where I stand. Looks like I have the dex speed on both legs to make it happen, my timing is just a bit off. I did have one fortunate moment when the bag just sorta landed on my toe and stayed there. I had to laugh at myself. It was my second attempt at the trick ever and I knew that would be the only time I sorta-kinda landed it. And well, I was right.
Clipper drills went ok. Left side still sucks ass, but its improving. I started doing some consecutive drills on my right, only managed three, but thats two more than I ever did before so I'll take it. They seem to be getting stronger, setting higher which is good as well.
I'm starting to think maybe I will focus on the non-clipper related tricks first being that my clipper is weak. I think that will be a more solid foundation to work on. If I can get my mirage and legovers both sides solid then I'll be happy. I think its a reachable goal within a reasonable time frame.
I got in touch with Holly and am purchasing a bag of hers, which is awesomesauce. I think a good bag will help. The more I kick this dragonfly the more I wonder just how different the bags will be.
On another note I was driving around on my days off, and it being summer tons of people are here on vacation (OBVIOUSLY). I couldn't help but think "Man if some of these guys did a couple sessions on the strip in Waikiki they would make BANK". The exposure would be rediculous. And compared to the lame ass street performers I'm sure it would be a hit. If I had the funds I would SO get a "Shred Hawaii" going. I bet Hawaii would like net as well. Obviously volleyball is a big deal here.
Ah well, dreams are fun.
Mike Grant
What do you mean mod my Lavers? They're so pretty!
What do you mean mod my Lavers? They're so pretty!