Ben Skaggs

professor · Post by **professor** » 16 Jun 2005 20:15

I shredded today with Jeff and Kaitlyn. It was good to be back playing after such a long break from footbag...okay it was only 2 days, but it felt like forever.

I hit some pretty decent things, but I'm not at the level I want to be. I wish I was more consistent. Oh well I'll be better tomorrow.

professor · Post by **professor** » 19 Jun 2005 07:53

Yesterday, I arrived early at UNLV, where we play, and Sephen was with me. Stephen and I played for like 45 minutes before Loren arrived. We played with Loren for about an hour before Steve, Jeff, and Sarah got there soon followed by the rest of the club. I had to leave early so I only got to play with everyone for about an hour.

I was surprised that I did so well though. Last Thursday, when I played, I wasn't playing well, but yesterday I was doing pretty well. My runs were pretty long and I was hitting good stuff mid string. My ankle feels back to normal, but you can never be 100% sure.

professor · Post by **professor** » 20 Jun 2005 21:16

Tonight, after work, I shredded at Steve's house with Steve, Jeff, and a new kid John. I had never played with John and I'm glad I got to today. He's been playing for around a month and he hits around the worlds like they're nothing and he hits smears on one side consistently. I swear he has Vasek and Evan (also good guy in our club) legs. Except he doesn't have Vasek ankles, he only likes toe tricks. Jeff and Steve were progressing fast as always. I didn't hit anything spectacular, but some nice and long runs.

travismontoya · Post by **travismontoya** » 20 Jun 2005 21:24

ah thats cool, You know if john is gonna come next saturday? Hopefully Ill be able to make it probably have to be on pain killers or something

newayz peazzz out dawg

professor · Post by **professor** » 21 Jun 2005 19:52

I played for around 2 hours today with Jeff and John. It was pretty sweet. We played at this skatepark by my house and showed all the skaters what footbag is all about. They were like

. It was cool. I hit some nice runs with eggbeaters all over and all sorts of cool stuff. It was awesome.

FootbagginBum · Post by **FootbagginBum** » 22 Jun 2005 18:19

1. Skateparks are my favorite place to play, we NEED at least one weekly west side skatepark sesh, and let me have some influence so I can make sure I can get there.

2. I met Jon long ago at a concert or two, played with him about 2 months ago when he was hitting bad ss pickup style atws, and have been trying to get Jeff and Steve to get him to come. I'm so excited he's progressed that far. I'm ewxpectant to play with him soon.

Peace,
Bum

professor · Post by **professor** » 24 Jun 2005 14:49

Today was mega fun. Steve, John, Jeff, and I played footbag in my garage for about 30 min, then we decided to go to the skatepark by my house. Now, if you've seen the Vegas funny video, you know whenever Steve and Jeff are around something funny is bound to happen ( and John is no different ).

We were shredding at the skatepark and we were all doing pretty good, when the skaters started the whole: "Do you like playing with guys sacks?!?!", thing. So, John replied with a, "Ya, I'm gay...no really I'm gay." (which he's not) This went on for awhile then they came over and kept saying stuff. Well John and Steve start saying that they love having Michael Jackson over to their houses, how they really liked rainbows, and something about sandwiches...it was hilarious.

After that we got some Subway and played at this other skatepark near my house. The skaters there were cool and we played for only 20 min. or so and then we left for our homes.

I hit some pretty long strings, one I remember in particular because I hit PS whirl bsos and mobius one side, but almost on the other side. Well tomorrow should be good.

Peace out G...wow I'm white.

travismontoya · Post by **travismontoya** » 24 Jun 2005 18:19

haha figures, typical skater punks. Newayz nice mobius!

Ill try to be there tommorow if not bleh!! :S peazzzzzzz

P.S: GET ON AIM!

professor · Post by **professor** » 29 Jun 2005 21:05

Yesterday and today I had 2 hour sessions. Yesterday I decided to change my technique/style. It started slow and I wasn't sure if it was going to be a good idea, but I knew that it would take some time to really see the difference. Well, it didn't take too long because tonight I felt much more balanced than I ever have before. When I shred now, it feels easy. I still drop about as much, but it just feels more controlled and steady. I can't wait to play some more so I can get better.

Highlights from tonight:

15, 16, and 18 ripwalks... my stepping is really benefiting from this new style.
12 flipside spinning clippers
I think there was someting else too, but I forget.

Oh well, so I'm feeling good about my decision. Hope to shred tomorrow.

HG · Post by HG » 30 Jun 2005 04:02

Props on the ripwalks. But care to elaborate on the change?

professor · Post by **professor** » 30 Jun 2005 16:39

Not until I'm sure that it will help me get as good as I think it can...if that makes any sense?

No footbag planned today because my ankle is a tad sore.

professor · Post by **professor** » 30 Jun 2005 21:25

Ok I couldn't resist playing today after watch some shred footage, but I only played on my flipside. My quads and hips were pretty sore because of my new technique I've been using, but they were ok once I was warmed up. I was doing pretty good despite only being able to use my flip clipper. I still feel so much more balanced, it's awesome.

Highlights:

7, 8, and 8 flip spinning butterflys
sidewalk > sidewalk > blur > dimwalk > pdx mirage > dimwalk > blur (everything was flip except 1st dimwalk and pdx mirage)
5 flip ducking osii
5 flip sidewalks - these were the only things that were giving me balance issues

Last, but not least...
21 flipside whirls
The only reason I dropped was because I was so tired.

So, not too shabby of a day. I plan to rest tomorrow...maybe.

professor · Post by **professor** » 02 Jul 2005 09:38

Ya, I didn't rest yesterday like I planned...surprise...surprise, but I'm definitely not going to play much today. I know this because my quads are REALLY sore. It's hard to walk down my stairs. I think that this is a good sign though because I've never had my thighs hurt from playing footbag, but my new technique is forcing me to use different muscles that I've never used before.

I have a feeling though that once I get past the first week of playing, my sorness will go away for good. Which is amazing because I'm usually always sore after I shred hard, but I've shred hard 3 days in a row and the only thing sore is my thighs.

Still only working on flip clipper cause' of my ankle.

Some good stuff from yesterday:
flip diving butterfly > blurry whirl (so easy, but I used my bad ankle)
9 flip spinning butterflys
flip reverse swirling whirl
pixie ss mirage > magellan > repeat (I have been trying this almost all last week, but hit it easy yesterday)
flip spinning clipper x3 > flip spinning butterfly > flip spinning whirl > hand catch because I was so surprised that it was that easy
flip rev. swirl x2 > flip whirl > flip swirl
7 contacts of flip whirl > flip rev. swirl

That's it for yesterday had to quit playing after 2 hours because:
1. My right leg was killing me from doing only flipside clippers.
2. While doing a pdx illusion my left ankle popped and hurt really bad, so I wanted to get in the house quick and ice it so both my ankles aren't dead.

Both my ankles are good today, but still gonna take it easy. That's all for now and if I don't see you later...Good Morning, Good Evening, and Good Night!

professor · Post by **professor** » 03 Jul 2005 21:05

So, I had a 4 hour session...by myself. I hope my ankle can forgive me, but I really want to get a lot of time in footbagging. I'm tired of this not being as good as I want to be. I hit some pretty good strings and runs. I'm focusing on staying balanced, centered, and increasing my string length. I'm probably not playing tomorrow, but hopefully Tuesday night.

professor · Post by **professor** » 05 Jul 2005 16:39

Today I decided to quit playing footbag...

...with my right clipper. I'm sick and tired of my ankle being sore every 2 weeks or so. I'm not going to do any right footed clippers for AT LEAST 2 months. I'm going to end up being sideways, but I don't care. My ankle will heal whether it likes it or not.

FootbagginBum · Post by **FootbagginBum** » 05 Jul 2005 20:25

SORE QUADS!!!

I've been waiting!!! "They'll never get sore after weight training all of high school." I haven't even played with you in forever and yet I know the exact change you made...I've been telling ya'll forever. I bet you can do the head-high-set-without-kneeing-me-in-the-balls thing easy now. I can't wait to see it. Maybe you can get Brian and Evan more into it, they still need that transition. (If I'm wrong about the change I'm gonna feel pretty silly)

whew, cutting off right clip is gonna be tough...even for me to watch...I'm gonna give you some joint stuff and talk to a doc for ya, maybe we can get to fully healed in a month and keep you balanced.

Oh and mega props! On the reverse swirling whirl, the flip vaseky combo, and on the pixie same side stuff. I don't think Evan can do the pixie one, and getting a one up on him with shuffle is hardcore.

Peace man, come play soon, I hate only getting guiltless circles on Saturday, even though last Saturday was real fun even though I was the only guiltless.

Bum

PS: And don't tell people I don't come on a lot, I did sign up as a compulsive modified checked, I was just out of town for 4 days, running around to take care of shit when I got back, and played footbag all day on the other days since I posted.

professor · Post by **professor** » 05 Jul 2005 23:32

Well then prove me wrong.

Also, I have no idea what you are talking about with the set thing...

professor · Post by **professor** » 06 Jul 2005 19:48

Today my mom got me some Double Strength Glucosamine (500mg)/Chondroitin (400mg) vitamins. I'm taking them for my ankle. They help rebuild/strengthen cartilage in your joints. I figure it couldn't hurt and plus it will help the rest of my joints remain strong. So hopefully in about a month it'll start helping my ankle. I hope to play tomorrow.

FootbagginBum · Post by **FootbagginBum** » 06 Jul 2005 19:55

Very good

Just do lots of easy stretchy rolls with it to make sure there's always a lot of blood and oxygen in there and with your positive attitude it will be good as new in no time

Peace,
Bum

FootbagginBum · Post by **FootbagginBum** » 06 Jul 2005 20:21

professor wrote:
FootbagginBum wrote:I have one of the strongest footbag clubs in the country
YOU have??? I didn't know you owned the club...

Hey! It's your club too, but how do you think you all know about it, and how'd you all get so good. The club would have disappeared in the beginning of 2001 when Dave moved if I didn't find it and get Shawn and Anthony to help get it going again with me. You might have known how to play without me/Noe by now, but there sure as hell wouldn't have been all those awesome Saturdays in your memory.

Any good group needs a leader...and since I've filled that position for a long time, teach you all, am the most well known among us, and still the best in the group at the moment (though it is getting much harder for me to say that with total confidance...so good job), I will continue to be a bit possesive about it. And...I see nothing wrong with that

Peace,
Bum