In a slump

ashleyd · Post by **ashleyd** » 29 Sep 2004 09:43

This is kinda like "Dealing with footbag Frustrations" with my spin on it.

If you dont know i moved from Bethlehem PA to lakeland FL in December 2003. David Clavens and I would shred together, and i would get alot of motivation from him. Now that i have moved i feel that i am not making the progress that i want.
In Florida i have tried to get some of my friends into footbag, but my attempts result in nothing. No one truly gets it, or is willing to put the work into it. So ive accepted that, and now i really want to know how people are pushing themselves to be top solo shreders. What are you doing to motivate yourself? What are you thinking about when you playing? Alot of the times I go out and shred, then get frustrated and stop playing. Usually David would be like "Come on, keep playing pansy" or something along that line. And id be like "fine", then hit some massive combo. Anyways, what are you doing to overcome the issue of having no one to play with. The only thing that helps me is to watch a sick video, then i go play. But i want some input from other players.

Ashley Danowski

mc · Post by mc » 29 Sep 2004 09:49

one of my favorite things to do while solo shredding is find some weird trick or set or concept that not many other people do, and work on that for a while. That kind of thing is a lot easier to get nailed down when you're all alone, instead of trying to shred well in front of someone else. Having a weird new trick or set always makes me feel rewarded. Then, I sit down after my sesh, have a beer, and write about it in my footblog or tell the Cleaver about it or something.

so, my advice to you is to work on fun tricks, then get online and talk to your friends about it to keep excitement up.

KEEP SHREDDING, ASHLEY!!! you're so good!!

sen · Post by **sen** » 29 Sep 2004 10:38

I think I first heard this from Byrin or Tom. . .and it really helped me. Shred hard to improve in anticipation of playing with someone. Then when you go to a tourney or get together with someone they will notice your improvement lots. That's what keeps me going now.

footjoe · Post by **footjoe** » 29 Sep 2004 11:22

I have never gone to a tourny and shred alone most fo the time somtimes with john but what keeps me going is setting goals. Like set some goals to hit specific drill or tricks for the end of the week. Also if i look back to when I was a noobie and look how far ive come now it's impossible to just like give up If you have come this far. I think a lot of modivation has to come from yourself. And if your feeling blah just try some new stuff you have never tried before that always gets me happy

sen · Post by **sen** » 29 Sep 2004 11:31

Joe said some really good stuff that I forgot to mention like setting goals. I do that all the time.
I guess Joe and I both have a bit different circumstance than you. We are both used to playing alone and have never had the fortune of a friend to shred hard with and who would push us. Just start playing more for yourself than for anyone else.

wicked · Post by **wicked** » 29 Sep 2004 11:40

Set up a kickin scheduele then follow it. Say your going to kick without fail on Sat, Sun, Tues, and Thursdays, or whatever. If u have no one to motivate you put a calender on the wall with the days marked off that your going to shred. If you dont shred that day you will feel way more guilty than if you never set a date 4 yoself... Dont just say your gonna kick on such and such a date, write it down

. Sometimes footbag is so hard that our minds want to shred but our bodys dont let us. On top of that, when ur in a slump u play sucky when u play so its even more demotivating

. Stay strong there is light at the end of that tunnel which is where u want to be anyway and people are waiting 4 u there.

sampotter · Post by **sampotter** » 29 Sep 2004 14:17

Wicked put it best. Have a shred regimen, but make sure it allows you time to recuperate.

Iain · Post by **Iain** » 29 Sep 2004 14:31

god it's so tuff playing solo. Well since dave was ur motivation before, try using him as ur motivation now. Like busting a 10 contact fearless combo in his face the next time u meet up with him. Think about the future and tell urself u'll never get there unless u do something about it now.

And play in public as much as u can. Like staying after school to play. You might catch the right person at the right time and get them interested.

wicked · Post by **wicked** » 29 Sep 2004 19:35

i gotta give props to penske for being one of the heinest solo shredders out there. He once told me of days where he would throw a vid on his dad's big screen TV and play in his living room as if he were actually playing with the players. He'd watch a few runs then bust a run.

If you think about it even when your playing with people your still truely playing solo. Your just taking required breaks between thier kicks. Know what i mean? I think sometimes when I play solo I dont give my self enough time between shreds and i get tired. When your playing with people your forced to take breaks. Playing with people and playing solo is only differnet in your mind if you think about it.

sampotter · Post by **sampotter** » 29 Sep 2004 19:40

I think if you're learning it's different. For example, in a solo session I'll have to make a concious effort to play with a certain style. However, when sessioning with other people, I notice how they pivot and perform certain moves; their breathing patterns, their posture, etc. With a lot of players you play with I only pick that up through short crappy runs and poorly performed moves, usually. At that point it's often that their style and play style is really brought out. It's different with the really smooth runs of videos. However, that is a really good idea by Jim Penske... I'm going to have to give that a try. Thanks for the inspiration.

Seath · Post by **Seath** » 29 Sep 2004 21:09

Shred in a busy public place with music

mosher · Post by **mosher** » 29 Sep 2004 21:28

Oh man, this is such a topic that is near and dear to me.

Is solo shredding torture? Meditation? I suppose alot of it is in how you look at it. Someone mentioned above that I use the anticipation of the next session with whoever to help motivate me. But alot of it is the knowledge that if I put in time on whatever trick today I will be alot closer to hitting it tomorrow even if I don't today.

The only thing that is certain is that if you do nothing you won't get better.

blow your own mind with your progression, expect to get significantly better each day.

I bet if you keep to that you will find another well of motivation that can help to push you on the lonely days.

Above all, enjoy yourself. You found the goldmine that is footbag, cherish it.

Senor Grommet · Post by **Senor Grommet** » 29 Sep 2004 21:36

For me, Sen said it best. TOP SECRET**** Other than to please myself, I shred to impress the Los Angeles footbag crew. We (Sam C, Chris P, and I) all started playing at approx. the same time yet our styles are all completely different. I shred to hit that bomb ass new move or combo that they will find mind-blowing because it came from ME. When Chris hits bladerunner, its run of the mill, but when he sees ME hit bladerunner, I get massive props from both he and Sam. THAT feels good. Its the same for them tho. When I see Chris busting hard stuff from clippers I give him mad props becase I recognize the game expansion. I truly do shred to see the reactions of others when I bust new and innovative stuff. Its a great feeling. It works for me. Maybe you will find that it can push you too Ashley.

Splint · Post by **Splint** » 29 Sep 2004 22:03

You know I'm going to go with Matt on this. Weird tricks or tricks that you might not normally do in shred are awesome to keep the footbag spirits motivated.
I recently moved back to Denver where there isn't a lack of people to play with so much as there is a severe lack of time for me to play. In the meantime I have found that some of the less shredable moves have become extremely satisfying. Multiple x-body rakes are tons of fun to just throw a bag down and mess around with. So are inside and outside set/delay ATW's. For me Frigid-osis is always a must. Heel stall ATWs are awesome to work too. I love when I hit the very first one and then don't hit another one for 10 more tries.

Keep up the spirits. For every thousand passers-by there is going to be one with a mild interest. Just be sure to kick in public places and always stop what you are doing to join a "hack" circle.

innersmile · Post by **innersmile** » 30 Sep 2004 00:10

Hey,
This is a topic I deal with everyday. 95% of my shreds are solo right now but I actually enjoy kicking just for me.

I agree with the routine thing but don't bo too paraat (sp?). Shred when you are able to and want to, be flexible and most of all, go easy on yourself. Don't be affraid (not the best word) to just go back to basics and have an easy sesh, working clippers and stuff you're comfortable with.

One thing that really helps me is to keep a strict blog of what I've been working on and where I am with stuff. I do my best to update after every sesh and it's really great to look back and see the progress you've made, even when you think you've made none.

Also, try vary your sessions. Don't shred all the time. Work on fittness, flexibility and some strength or balance training to add the spice of life into your baggin'. Other training should supplement your shredding so even when you train and don't shred, you're working on aspects that'll improve your game.

I hope that helps. If all else fails, find some dude, put a knife to his throat and say, "listen fucker, I'm sick of shredding alone so I'm going to teach you. Got it? Lemme see your clipper boy!!

". I'm sure you can get a pretty decent group together that way.

Peace,

mc · Post by mc » 30 Sep 2004 05:06

innersmile wrote:"listen fucker, I'm sick of shredding alone so I'm going to teach you. Got it? Lemme see your clipper boy!!

funny you should mention that, that's how the Rochester Footbag Association got started. unfortunately, Mike's ankles were a little stiff that day to get a clipper, and I had to cut him.

ashleyd · Post by **ashleyd** » 30 Sep 2004 05:07

wow. thanks guys that REALLY helps. ill have to try everyones idea a diffrent day and see witch one is best. agian, thanks, it helps me out alot.

-Danowski

RipWalker · Post by **RipWalker** » 30 Sep 2004 06:42

Oddly enough, if you're ever feeling down... you did the right thing!

Post about it on modified and we'll all encourage you and give you ideas to keep shredding. That's what I would do if I ever got into a slump. Unfortunately I'm addicted to it, which isn't good for my shin splint

Keep shredding! Peace.

Shredster · Post by **Shredster** » 30 Sep 2004 11:39

I doubt I'm a top solo shredder...in fact, I KNOW i'm not a top solo shredder...

But

I have a lot of determination to get better. I really think thats all it takes to get better, besides practice of course. You, of course, cannot simply sit there, with determination, lying on your bed, and get better

Videos help too, but a lot of the times, it makes me push harder which doesn't always help myself. It gets me frustrated early because i can't hit spinning mobius swirl...lol

So anyways, there is my ________(insert amount there) cents/dollars.