Worlds Workshops

[david]

Dear Modified,

In a recent discussion with a freestyler it was mentioned that high level players could provide a lot of benefit to the footbag community by holding workshops at large tournaments. This is a common thing in the realms of juggling and magic, but I have not experienced it in footbag. In a sport as intricate and difficult as ours, it only makes sense for high level players to provide advice to those trying to improve.

I believe that there are a few things in footbag that I know quite well, and I also have faith in my ability to teach others some of these concepts. The success of my drifter and clipper videos on youtube has shown me that teaching can be a very rewarding experience for both parties. Besides myself, I also know that many of the top players in the world will be at worlds and have their own specialties they could educate others on.

I will be willing to hold several workshops at worlds if the interest exists. These would fall on days where there is no competition and last no more than 30 minutes to an hour, based on the topic. I would structure the workshop in a way that suits the amount of players attending and their level. The possibility of teaming up (for example, Penske and I teaching furious), is also quite possible to provide a variety of opinions on certain tricks and see multiple approaches.

Rather than assuming what people want to learn (if they want to learn at all – this could be a bad idea with no interest), I open up this thread to suggestions of possible workshop topics. I’ll take the top few interests and prepare something. These workshops will of course be free, and I will not be personally offended if many choose to shred during their free time at worlds rather than hear me pointificate about clipper position.

In summary, I look forward to any interest in this topic. I welcome other players to offer up an hour of their time at this year’s worlds to teach something they know. I know I would love a ripstein lesson from Vasek, blender tips from Honza, or routine advice from Damian.

See you at worlds,

David Clavens

[C-Fan]

I like this idea.

Some topics/tricks I'd like to learn from the masters:

*whirr
*ripstein
*furious set
*nuclear set
*routines
*beast combos

[g00d33]

I also think this is a good idea. I'll probably attend whatever kind of workshop done, but I'd like to see inspinning/double spinning.

[Reid]

Second on the Inspinning/doublespinning.

[Zeb Jackson]

Second on the Inspinning/doublespinning.

3rd

[Iron Clad Ben]

I would like to participate in workshops on these topics, if someone is willing to teach them

-breathing
-clipper / osis
-mindset / mental game

I'm 100% serious.

[calemccoy]

-whirl
-swirl
-atomic
-torque
-stepping
-spinning

all those of course would have variations that would be looked into, but basically thats what i would attend workshops on.

[Muffinman]

Is there some way for you to teach someone just how to BE GOOD? There's nothing in particular that I want to learn, but I feel like some general tips and advice would go a long way.

[defender]

I would be sure to attend the ripstien and furious lessons. How about whirlwind swirl? Or all symp whirling swirls?

[CIC flurry]

This is a good idea.
I'd like to learn about furious set, and I'd probably watch all the workshops. I'm sure there's going to be a lot of people watching.

I can school people in DLO's and terrages if anyone wants.

[MathieuGM]

I would definitly come to watch pretty much all the workshops.

I'm like 99.99% sure that Ianek would be more than happy to provide some workshop. He just like to teach moves...

Mat

[Green Lanturn]

Regardless of what you do, you definitely should video and post them. I along with many other newer players would love to see those sessions.

[Asmus]

This is a great idea. I hope somebody film these and make them available to those who are not able to go to worlds.

[Anz]

I think Red was planning to have workshops at USO as well. I'm prepared to participate myself.

I must note that if one is prepared to host a workshop they must master the subject 100%. You cannot just go "this is how I do it", you must be sure that "this is how it must be done". Also there is no sense having a workshop over a single trick, you should choose an entire concept.

What I see the best for the public is that the subject is voted by the participants for the workshop, from the subjects chosen by the one who is holding the workshop.
For example Dave gives you Furious set, Mixer, Whirl or Step set for possibilities and most of the participants want Dave to teach them the Furious set, that's what he does then.

Some subjects I'm willing to do is "how to practice your own level tricks" and "how to get from beginner to intermediate", because I bet those are really needed.
I don't know if there's been any workshops at any footbag camps or tournaments before. If there has been, someone might now a better system.

[boyle]

A great idea. A combined workshop on routines, a masterclass some may call it, from say- Vasek, Damian, David, Honza. That would be good.

Also workshops on training/nutrition ideas

Other workshops on promoting yourself as a footbag player- getting grants, sponsorships etc.

Also presenting footbag demonstrations. Dan Ednie went into this at Worlds last year, but I think a combined approach of people with a lot of experience in putting on shows would be great for this. Off the top of my head David, Ken and Tina would be great for this one.

As for tricks, I guess you can learn the more basic sets from most players, but only so many can give you tips on...

Nuclear
Ripstein/Revstein
Inspinning/Double Spinning
Alpine sets- Atomic Ducking, Stepping Ducking etc

There's plenty that the whole community can share and this is a great idea.

[Donovon]

Although I wont be able to make it (the video taping of this sounds awesome) this is one of the best ideas in footbag ive heard. I guess at some level I assumed it was happening somewhere, and when different players ask other players for advice at a tournament or something, i usually tune in.
With the large movement to push footbag as a sport, these workshops/masterclasses are really common in other fields. Juggling workshops can be really beneficial and in music, id rather attend a masterclass, even those outside of my primary instruments, than a performance.
I agree that these workshops need to focus on specific concepts, not tricks. You can find trick advice anywhere, and I often find individual instruction in tricks more benefical because you get personal feedback.
I think workshops in:

-Inspinning/double spinning
-Routine building
-Promotion (Self and Sport)
-Training/drilling/practicing

would be great, especially with the possibility of multiple perspectives.

Personally, I have a huge interest in Hand and Foot play, and I know many other people would be interested in this, or even just multi-bag concepts.
And as a side note, it is normally easier on the presenters if they know what they are going to be talking about ahead of time. And, at least this time around, having the workshops done at non-overlapping times would be most benefical for the best turnout.
I hope this sticks,
~Donovon

Edit: A workshop by Ianek on the "Late" component of the new DS could be interesting

[KurtA]

This is a fantastic idea. I should be able to get one angle with my camera if we need people to film!

Stepping anything would be great to see for a basic level course.

Torque moves, paradox symposium whirls and barflies, as well as furious, double whirls, and double spinning are just a few of the advanced things I would like to see.

But really anything would really be helpful for people learning the game!

Thanks!

[Pattycakes]

I remember when I used to take lessons John Schneider once a week and it really helped with technique, bag placement as well as breathing. I remember being taught individual sets, in the end, when i started to get a little better, was heavily weighed upon which was good because after the basics its all about the sets and than the basic dex's after. Whoever goes to this at worlds is really lucky, i wish i could go just for that reason.
Just my two cents. Good idea Clavens

[KurtA]

Oh and I second the idea of presenting ways to really advance your game to a pro level.

How does one train to become an upper level player without losing momentum or focus? What kind of mindset is needed to get past certain barriers and what are some of the unforeseen barriers can we expect to run into?

Competitively, how does one prepare for a big tournament (nutrition, mental dynamics, drills, taking breaks, ect) and what are some techniques for putting together a routine?

Thanks for the consideration!

[Wasabi]

I would like to participate in workshops on these topics, if someone is willing to teach them

-breathing
-clipper / osis
-mindset / mental game

I'm 100% serious.

I need to attend this workshop.

This is a good idea.
I'd like to learn about furious set, and I'd probably watch all the workshops. I'm sure there's going to be a lot of people watching.

I can school people in DLO's and terrages if anyone wants.

I want to improve on my dlo form. I want to attend this workshop.

And I'll attend the inspinning workshop as well. Though I think double-spinning is cool, I'm not up to that level yet. Still working on my own spinning technique. But I would totally attend this workshop as well.