SERIOUSLY...How long do you think you'll play?

Splint · Post by **Splint** » 17 Jun 2004 09:49

I've been playing for 9 years and the passion for footbag still pours through my veins. I mean I think about footbag 24/7/365. My wife knows when I'm dreaming about it because I kick her in my sleep. She even woke me up on a couple occasions to ask what I hit

(no joke).
However, between Shin Splints, Back Surgery and Herniated Disks I know my time as a hard trick freestyler is running out. Like I said though, freestyle is in my blood so I think I'll always freestyle in some form or other.

There are other players out there like Pete who's been kicking for 16 or 17 years or Kenny for christ sake who's been kicking for 24-25 years.
Then there are people like Noah Dubriel (sp?) and Kyle Crawford who blazed up in the sport, made BAP even, and then disappeared after only 3 or 4 years in the sport.

So how long do you think you're in this game for? Is it true love or just a passing fancy?
Answer carefully. I've met several players over the years who thought they were all in and then they just fizzled out.

Whatsfootbag? · Post by **Whatsfootbag?** » 17 Jun 2004 10:17

well i started playing last summerish and then since i can only shred solo for so long then shred with dave once or twice a year,i lost intrest...i may get back into the sport but i dont know..shredding solo with no one to have a good time with gets depressing

Jeremy · Post by **Jeremy** » 17 Jun 2004 10:45

I imagine I will still play to some degree when I'm fifty so long as I can still move my legs...

I think once I get passed my prime I'll spend more time in circles pulling a few tricks and passing and just doing it for fun - rather than taking it fairly seriously like I do at the moment.

mosher · Post by **mosher** » 17 Jun 2004 10:47

Ive put tons of thought into this.
I would love for footbag to become one of the things that sticks with me, but it's really hard to tell.

Being really ADD and OCD means that I throw myself 10000% at a million different things.

Ive been a 'for life' kind of guy about so many things that have since fizzled out of my life, but footbag has something the others lacked.

It has what skateboarding (going on 17 years of dedication) has. Footbag is a loner sport, or a group thing. I think that is what will keep me going. Since I can play almost anywhere at anytime I think the chances of my keeping the lust alive are much better.

I suppose it comes down to time.

I sure hope I dont run off on some other tangent.

richardabshire · Post by **richardabshire** » 17 Jun 2004 10:47

20 years and still going. I have more shred miles than the energizer bunny has beats on that little drum. Play smart and stay strong and healthy and rest when you need to not when you want to. Some players overwork their games without resting and this will slow anyones game down.Hope this helps,Richie

bigdirtyfoot · Post by **bigdirtyfoot** » 17 Jun 2004 11:52

Yeah... I've been playing for a few years but not progressing very much. So I'll probably keep playing through college until I get really serious about Jazz, and then I'll have to dedicate all of my time to that.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » 17 Jun 2004 11:56

Well over 10 years. I Have a lot of time, me being so young.

Chris Hanratty · Post by **Chris Hanratty** » 17 Jun 2004 14:00

I think I'll always play as long as I'm physically able to. I dont think I'll be serious about it for the rest of my life, but my passion for footbag isnt going away any time soon.

Spadrick · Post by **Spadrick** » 17 Jun 2004 15:19

I think that footbag is something that I will always be involved with, to some degree.

I plan on shredding till' my body wont let me, and after that Im sure there will still be something for me to do. Be it organization, moderation, administrating etc.

Footbag for life!
~ Dex

Johnny · Post by **Johnny** » 17 Jun 2004 16:34

I'm sure there will be times when I do not want to play footbag anymore, I've already had them. I don't think I could ever give up on it entirely, just because it is a big part of what I am, and what I aspire to be. I may not always be driven to improve as much as I am driven now, however, footbag will be with me until I die.

Zeke · Post by **Zeke** » 17 Jun 2004 19:07

I've been playing for 14 years (freestyling for the last 7) and I'll continue to play until it ceases to be fun.

Tsiangkun · Post by **Tsiangkun** » 17 Jun 2004 19:30

I've been playing about 8 years i guess.

pill · Post by **pill** » 17 Jun 2004 20:33

i'm in it till it stops being fun, if it's still fun by the end of the summer i'm in for several years probably

sPinko-Mania · Post by **sPinko-Mania** » 17 Jun 2004 20:35

I've been kicking for 2 and a half years now, which seems like a crazy long time, but I think I'll be kicking (if able) for another 5 years or so. It's impossible to say, but I'm still enjoying it.

I'm with Zeke, the day I stop enjoying it will be the day I stop playing. I've had certain moments (I think everyone has) when I get frustrated and don't want to play, but it's only passing. I think a good indicator for me, telling me I've about had it is when I stop playing out sick moves and links in my head. Often I do this when I get distracted from work I'm trying to do, or as I'm about to fall asleep I'll think of 'em.

shredj · Post by **shredj** » 17 Jun 2004 20:37

as it stands right now I'll be playing footbag until I break my hip when I'm an oold man

After that I'd definitely support the sport and attend/run tournaments and such.
Footbag for life!

sampotter · Post by **sampotter** » 17 Jun 2004 21:44

As long as footbag is interesting and healthy, I'll play. Footbag really gives me something to concentrate on and to discipline myself with, but watching players that have to take so many pain killers to keep going, with horrible shin splints and pains can be discouraging at times. Ultimately, I'd like to play like Kenny and Abshire, who have played healthily and are, as Richie said, energizer bunnies. Even though I'm a scrawny 5'8", 137 lbs. guy, I'm ordering CT300s anyway. I love footbag, and I'll do what I can to keep at it.

Speaking of which, any tips from Richie or anyone else who has played a very long time would be much appreciated, fitness-wise.

B_Man · Post by **B_Man** » 17 Jun 2004 22:19

As long as I have the time and health to be involved with footbag, I will do so.

Not much needs to be said about that

ShredPirate · Post by **ShredPirate** » 17 Jun 2004 22:35

judo lasted me 10 years, and so far footbag has lasted me just about 4. i know i'll be playing til im at least 30. the thing about judo is it's all or nothing. footbag is more relaxed, and i can still do it even if i'm not in top condition. everyone should be physically able to play footbag til their 50's.

King Monkey · Post by **King Monkey** » 17 Jun 2004 23:45

i hope to play until my body cant really hack it anymore (no pun intended lol) and when i cant shred full on anymore, i hope to stay in the scene by travelling to various places to meet shredders, promoting the sport with demos and events etc, and teaching upcoming local players

most of all id like to make videos, get a wicked camera set up and produce some top notch shred vids with high quality players from at home and abroad, and hopefully a documentary on footbag explaining it from A to Z, as a promo thing

i dont know if ill achieve all this, the future contains many an unknown thing...

BalinorNZ · Post by **BalinorNZ** » 18 Jun 2004 03:11

Ill play till I wreck my ankle again probably, because the next time its unlikly ill recover.

Sad really that something like weak ankles can limit ones passions, but its inevitable, all i can do is try not to do moves that are of high risk.