Stick with it

[oZonE-juNkie]

This may be my first thread start here on modified, so all the "new thread haters", cut me some slack, mmmkay?

So, just thought I'd ramble for a few minutes. Waiting for a delivery from fedex (new sound card ), and have some time...

I've been "hacking" for years, but really just got into freestyle last year. With practice, and some good tips from members here, I've good a pretty solid clipper on my strongside, and some decent basic skills. I do need to spend more time drilling basics, I know this.

Some more background. I'm 35 (!). I'm pretty athletic - I run 3 or 4x a week, and workout prolly 2x. I've recently lost ~15 lbs. of fat, which has actually improved my game and stamina a bit.

Building some more excuses: I've been playing mostly with some New Balance running shoes lately, for a number of reasons. For one, it greatly reduces my shin splints. I've never owned (nor tried) a pair of lavers. But I do have a pair of shoes that are a bit similar (skateboard style - good toe platform). But I also like the NB running shoes because of the sort of "clipper rail" they have. The toe box is crap, but that rail is really key for me, especially because of my right ankle. It's crap. It just does not bend properly. It's not a matter of stretching - that doesn't help. My left foot has been able to bend into clipper position since day one. Trust me, my right ankle sux. The rail helps me catch, as opposed to the bag flying off.

So, the point of all this:

I've been trying to hit paradon for a good month now. I've probably put over 10 hours into paradon alone. I've made progress, and have had it on my foot a number of times, but haven't sealed it yet. Each time I practiced it I could see progress being made (timing, foot placement, speed of dex, etc.). I will seal it. THis I know.

I see guys like Vandall, and Chris May, and others (not sure how long she's been playing - Ashley D) - and I'm amazed at how good people can get after a short amount of time. But I realize that we all progress at our own rates (I'm fortunate that my skydiving skills progressed quickly).

Ultimately, I hope that I've reached at least one person - about perservearance. If you're thinking about giving up cuz you can't hit some trick you've been working on for a while, maybe think of me. Keep at it!

[brian relly]

Word.

Just think, though. A lot of these people who are starting out and hitting big moves, are hitting just that--big moves. They spend more time worrying about that than their style, or making their strings longer. I mean, sure, it can be impressive if you can hit 4 or 5 guiltless contacts (sorta), but it's more impressive to hit 30-40 contact semi-simple tiltless runs, with a few uniques thrown in here or there. It pleases everyone in the circle much more.

Oh, and I can't hit paradon, either. I landed it probably ten times a few months ago, but it was sloppy and I just stopped worrying about it. I'll learn it again when I feel like it.

[bigdirtyfoot]

Yeah man I always get discouraged when people play for a week or two and tell us all that they hit ripwalk or something. I've been playing for 2 years and I still haven't hit ripwalk (Of course, I don't have a clipper game, and I'm still stretching out my left leg/ankle from my injury... so I still can't hit clippers with my left foot). Yeah it gets really depressing sometimes. But I have higher priorities than footbag now as well, and so I have to focus on those, and therefore footbag gets the backburner for a while.

[richardabshire]

For paradon, make sure your upper body balance is correct. If not then watch what your arms and shoulders are doing. It might show you the way. Hope this helps,Richie

[B_Man]

Chris May is a real talented player - very diverse in his strings and he has such a solid foundation of tricks to use. I know he sometimes (used too, not sure about it anymore) envies me whenever I hit a new, big trick but he doesn't know that I envy him when I hear about the long runs he hits (long for us ) that are not solely based on Butterflies, Pdx Mirages or Osii.

I think he could be genuine if he really wanted too. I wouldn't be surprised if he could within the next few months, to be honest with you.

[joplick]

try a little hop right when you set the bag. and school datw's. thats what did it for me. for the longest time i couldnt hit it. then i added that hop and i hit it within 3 times.