How would it look?
I had some feedback that tricks tend to look the same. What kind of tricks do you consider being public friendly as in understandable and impressive?
any feedback from your friends, or whoever?
Would love to see your thoughts on this subject.
Public friendly footbag
When I show footbag to non-footbaggers, I like to build slowly, so they can progressively understand that tricks get bigger and bigger. As part of this, I also like to repeat tricks, since it essentially gives the viewer a second chance to process what they just saw, sort of like a replay.
Here's an example.
1. I will start off with inside kicks, then show toe kicks, then a mix.
2. I then show toe stalls, back and forth.
3. I show inside stalls, in the hope they see how similar they are to toe stalls.
4. I then freeze an inside stall, and do a wrap so they can understand the clipper position.
5. Mix of inside stalls, and clipper stalls.
6. I explain dexterity by doing ATW. I do it many times, so they can process it.
7. I then do clipper set legover, so they can see the concepts combined.
8. After they understand these basics, I will then either introduce spins or ducks.
9. Spinning/ducking clipper many times in a row.
10. Fliers, also in a row.
11. Two-bag juggling.
So the basic idea is to start with concepts that are easy to grasp, and then slowly build off of those so they understand harder concepts (dexterity, clippers), and then at the end put it all together so they see that footbag is mixing up these concepts.
Here's an example.
1. I will start off with inside kicks, then show toe kicks, then a mix.
2. I then show toe stalls, back and forth.
3. I show inside stalls, in the hope they see how similar they are to toe stalls.
4. I then freeze an inside stall, and do a wrap so they can understand the clipper position.
5. Mix of inside stalls, and clipper stalls.
6. I explain dexterity by doing ATW. I do it many times, so they can process it.
7. I then do clipper set legover, so they can see the concepts combined.
8. After they understand these basics, I will then either introduce spins or ducks.
9. Spinning/ducking clipper many times in a row.
10. Fliers, also in a row.
11. Two-bag juggling.
So the basic idea is to start with concepts that are easy to grasp, and then slowly build off of those so they understand harder concepts (dexterity, clippers), and then at the end put it all together so they see that footbag is mixing up these concepts.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=No0fAw5Rw-s
This post of course, only for trick selection.
Starting at 3:40 or so with footbag.
Pay attention to when the crowd makes noise... Should be an indication as to what they see as "good". Then again at 6:08 or so, when he gets back into normal footbag.
I know Jorden spent the last few years seeing what people liked, both alone and with circus coaches, so he probably is along the right path.
This post of course, only for trick selection.
Starting at 3:40 or so with footbag.
Pay attention to when the crowd makes noise... Should be an indication as to what they see as "good". Then again at 6:08 or so, when he gets back into normal footbag.
I know Jorden spent the last few years seeing what people liked, both alone and with circus coaches, so he probably is along the right path.
Jay Boychuk
Thanks for your input Ken and Jay 
in terms of routinish shred it sounds great
What about if we think of circle shred. What concepts people love, without having the build up preparation.
I had some feedback on smooth, more dexless game being great. Shuffle seemed messy, but probably impressive also because of the fast movements.
Swirls,whirls,blenders certainly are easy enough to catch if done consecutively or mixed.
in terms of routinish shred it sounds greatWhat about if we think of circle shred. What concepts people love, without having the build up preparation.
I had some feedback on smooth, more dexless game being great. Shuffle seemed messy, but probably impressive also because of the fast movements.
Swirls,whirls,blenders certainly are easy enough to catch if done consecutively or mixed.
sorry for the double post.Commodore wrote:It looks so cool in that costume. He should wear something like that at worlds =)
had quite a few feedbacks that shred in longer shorts looks cooler. Jorden costume looks quite uncomfortable especially with the chains, he certainly did a good job there going dropless.
Ok already, we get it.
'The public' is a broad range of people. Some will never think it's cool, but I think most of us feel that footbag could be significantly more popular than it is now. I believe that freestyle footbag is one of the most impressive things that humans have learned to do with their bodies. There is a large number of people that would embrace it if they had the right exposure.
However, footbag can look uncool. There's no doubt about that, which is why I think this conversation is good. I've said it before, (and maybe I should go out of my way to say it to the right people) but I think modified should have its own section devoted to promotion, presentation, and footbag's future.
I think that shuffle and high-dex/high-complexity shred can look bad to the uninitiated. So does awkwardness and dropping. Single dex tricks that are done in a flashy way rule. I would take a big, sweeping paradox whirl over a blurriest swirl any day. Repeating tricks is also a great suggestion.
'The public' is a broad range of people. Some will never think it's cool, but I think most of us feel that footbag could be significantly more popular than it is now. I believe that freestyle footbag is one of the most impressive things that humans have learned to do with their bodies. There is a large number of people that would embrace it if they had the right exposure.
However, footbag can look uncool. There's no doubt about that, which is why I think this conversation is good. I've said it before, (and maybe I should go out of my way to say it to the right people) but I think modified should have its own section devoted to promotion, presentation, and footbag's future.
I think that shuffle and high-dex/high-complexity shred can look bad to the uninitiated. So does awkwardness and dropping. Single dex tricks that are done in a flashy way rule. I would take a big, sweeping paradox whirl over a blurriest swirl any day. Repeating tricks is also a great suggestion.
The thing of it is, people aren't going to take it up if it looks uncool. If it looks cool and they can understand what tricks are being down, then they have a better chance of picking it up and learning that it's fun.Commodore wrote:Do you guys even want people who take up a hobby to look cool not to have fun?chris dean wrote:However, footbag can look uncool.
Ken has the right idea.
It's important to make tricks look effortless. Choose tricks that are simple enough so people could visualize themselves doing it (i.e. they understand what is happening with the bag in relation to the body), but hard enough that they know they couldn't actually do it. The most advanced tricks should stay on the cusp of their understanding, not surpassing it.
It's also very important to build the difficulty slowly, and to start off at a rather slow pace. Let them live the routine through you. Too much technique or complexity at the beginning will deter your connection with the audience.
Good Tricks:
All kicks (important to be relaxed, have good rhythm and to alternate)
Flyers (jumping is dynamic as is the increased height of the bag)
Toe stalls + Movement (show diff. rhythms, travel forward/backward, etc.)
ATW (circular, easy to understand)
Switch (people get it - it's around with the other leg)
DATW (fast and spectacular)
Wrap/Walk or Hopover (leads into clipper)
Clippers (new dimension of stall - show off your sense of rhythm here)
Mirage (done repeating looks difficult and spectacular)
Down (the figure 8 pattern of infinities is aesthetic and not too complex)
Osis (done b2b with back facing audience, or far repeating done muted)
Unique Stalls/Upper Body (easily understood, adds variety, shows control)
Pendulum (magic!)
Spins (very dynamic)
Ducks (shows off your bag control, also very aesthetic and stimulating)
Acro - Mosher's tail, Bboy Freezes, etc. (cool and unexpected)
Basic Shuffle (to show how elements combine. The audience will label this as "fast stuff" and it all looks the same to them. Therefore, keep it easy!)
Foot Juggling ("wow, he can do 2 at once!")
Bad Tricks:
Random/Out of Control kicks (looks better to alternate the same types of kicks, make it look effortless)
Pickup (unclear that your leg went around it)
Illusion (unclear what is happening to an audience)
Rake (unless it's done with a huge swinging motion it looks unimpressive)
Symposium (they won't get it - all see is a 'jump'. better off doing flyers)
Elbow Squeeze/Pincher/Lap/Between Feet (covers up the bag if it's small)
Complex Shuffle (people will lose sight of it and won't know what is happening)
Really Big Risky Tricks (not worth the risk if you drop - people won't be able to appreciate it anyways!!!)
Don't let this list scare you though. Try it out for yourself! The best way to improve performing in front of crowds is by doing it constantly.
There's no other way. Try out everything. Experiment, make mistakes and most importantly LEARN from those mistakes. It's fun, rewarding, promotes the sport and you could even make some CASH along the way.
Good luck everybody.
JM
It's important to make tricks look effortless. Choose tricks that are simple enough so people could visualize themselves doing it (i.e. they understand what is happening with the bag in relation to the body), but hard enough that they know they couldn't actually do it. The most advanced tricks should stay on the cusp of their understanding, not surpassing it.
It's also very important to build the difficulty slowly, and to start off at a rather slow pace. Let them live the routine through you. Too much technique or complexity at the beginning will deter your connection with the audience.
Good Tricks:
All kicks (important to be relaxed, have good rhythm and to alternate)
Flyers (jumping is dynamic as is the increased height of the bag)
Toe stalls + Movement (show diff. rhythms, travel forward/backward, etc.)
ATW (circular, easy to understand)
Switch (people get it - it's around with the other leg)
DATW (fast and spectacular)
Wrap/Walk or Hopover (leads into clipper)
Clippers (new dimension of stall - show off your sense of rhythm here)
Mirage (done repeating looks difficult and spectacular)
Down (the figure 8 pattern of infinities is aesthetic and not too complex)
Osis (done b2b with back facing audience, or far repeating done muted)
Unique Stalls/Upper Body (easily understood, adds variety, shows control)
Pendulum (magic!)
Spins (very dynamic)
Ducks (shows off your bag control, also very aesthetic and stimulating)
Acro - Mosher's tail, Bboy Freezes, etc. (cool and unexpected)
Basic Shuffle (to show how elements combine. The audience will label this as "fast stuff" and it all looks the same to them. Therefore, keep it easy!)
Foot Juggling ("wow, he can do 2 at once!")
Bad Tricks:
Random/Out of Control kicks (looks better to alternate the same types of kicks, make it look effortless)
Pickup (unclear that your leg went around it)
Illusion (unclear what is happening to an audience)
Rake (unless it's done with a huge swinging motion it looks unimpressive)
Symposium (they won't get it - all see is a 'jump'. better off doing flyers)
Elbow Squeeze/Pincher/Lap/Between Feet (covers up the bag if it's small)
Complex Shuffle (people will lose sight of it and won't know what is happening)
Really Big Risky Tricks (not worth the risk if you drop - people won't be able to appreciate it anyways!!!)
Don't let this list scare you though. Try it out for yourself! The best way to improve performing in front of crowds is by doing it constantly.
There's no other way. Try out everything. Experiment, make mistakes and most importantly LEARN from those mistakes. It's fun, rewarding, promotes the sport and you could even make some CASH along the way.
Good luck everybody.
JM
Jorden Moir
Even though they probably don't understand it, normal clip set symp whirls probably get the most consistent positive reaction of any trick I do in public, and when I do consecutives some people lose their shit. The other tricks that get the most reactions are torque moves, ducking moves, double dexes and juggling.
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crazylegs32
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