Are You Gathering New Players?

Zeke · Post by **Zeke** » 06 May 2004 20:17

Today, Dan , Reile and I did a 7 hour footbag promotion marathon where we exposed and taught highschool kids about footbag for 7+ hours. Footbag was one of the many stations that the kids would stop and participate in their activities. For doing so, they received a sticker proving that they did the activities and moved on to another station. I believe 8 stickers was the minimum and any more than that was eligible for prizes.

The school provided us with a table to display bags and video cases plus a TV with VCR to play footbag vids throughout the day. We were also assigned a student helper for the first four periods. We asked him to keep an eye on the table and make sure nothing was stolen. This guy was fucking awesome! Nothing was taken those first 4 periods and after his shift with us was done he volunteered to come back and help us count kicks and hand out stickers. He had also never played before today and by the time we left he was able to kick it 15-20 times in a row and do toe stalls and was close to flying clipper.

We didn't shred hard for any lengthy period of time, just enough to catch their attention. For their sticker we made them kick a footbag 5 times in a row. We gave stickers out to people who didn't reach 5 but showed that they honestly tried. For large groups of kids we put them into several circles and they all got stickers for getting a full hack before the bag hit the ground.

Most of the kids were content to just get their sticker and move on. But there were a few that wanted to watch the vids or stick around and learn a bit more about the sport. It was a bit chaotic at times with swarms of kids coming in and starting circles of their own. The cirlces. though, were the best chance to teach tricks to a bunch of kids at the same time.

Next year I hope to be more organized with more info on the sport in the form of flyers and have more freedom footbags to hand out as prizes. Hopefully we can have more club members show up to help out too. 4 square on the sidelines would be the shit...

My legs are sssssssssooooooo freakin' SORE

quadgun · Post by **quadgun** » 06 May 2004 20:20

sounds like a lot of tiring fun

Popinasmint · Post by **Popinasmint** » 06 May 2004 22:18

Dude Zeke and the rest of the gang. Thats so awesome. 7 hours is looong~!! I used to freestyle in a circle that had a majority of circle kickers. I got one of them into freestyle. I talked to him lastweek and he said he was schooling DLO. I usually kick every friday on a track of a school i use to attend. Other than that I kick in my room

max · Post by **max** » 06 May 2004 22:47

In the last year, the Paris crew has grown another two VERY MOTIVATED freestylers (= they play EVERY day at least 2-3 hours), hitting stuff like smoke, frenzy, torques, symple swirls and LONG runs. Just recently in the last month we've somehow recruited an 11 yr old that also practices everyday, he's hitting legovers, pixies and basic stalls.

Last monday at our weekly training in a gym, (both net and freestyle) there was an all time attendance record of about 35-40 players including 8 girls (usually there's half those numbers) AND SUMMER HASN'T EVEN STARTED YET!!!

But yes we play outside whenever we can, preferably in public places (parks, touristic spots and the like) and do some serious propaganda towards cirlce kickers that may be there or crowds that look interested.

Playing outside and in public is tha way to go.

sNale · Post by **sNale** » 07 May 2004 03:13

max wrote: Playing outside and in public is tha way to go.

Thats true

Zeke · Post by **Zeke** » 10 May 2004 06:39

The 4 panel Freedom footbag is a great way to gather new players. Me and the guys buy them in bulk (relative to footbag

) and sell them for a bit more than what we pay for but cheaper then what most crocheted bags cost. Then we're able to buy more sandbags with the extra money and reach out to even more players. The great thing is that we can start teaching them basics or new tricks right there.

sniikeri · Post by **sniikeri** » 10 May 2004 07:53

You Zeke should get some kind of medal. Pro Footbag!

maverick-morley · Post by **maverick-morley** » 09 Aug 2009 12:41

i play alot at home because i cant get around.

but in sunny east sussex i have managed to get 2 more poeple to start playing in a month. im hoping to get more playing! my goal is 10 people before the year is out!

WyrmFyre · Post by **WyrmFyre** » 10 Aug 2009 04:11

I also play at home with one friend, but at the moment, all I can put together are relatively uninmpressive kickless strings and once in a while throw an ATW in there.

At least thats how I feel anyway. That, plus the fact that even though I have a training partner of sorts, he wont play in public either, and I dont relish the idea of being alone and doing it, at least not yet. Something about safety in numbers.

With more time, and more confidence in my ability, and more ability in general

then yes, I will be out there. If after the UK jam there turns out to be a handful of people who are willing to give a little commitment to the game, then of course I will join them too.

Thats not to say im not promoting the game though, just about every single one of my friends has seen my vids or had another one from youtube thrust upon them, and im trying to get everyone I know to be free on the day of the Jam on the basis that if nothing else, theyll have seen something spectacular on what I hope to be a nice sunny day at the beach

Frank_Sinatra · Post by **Frank_Sinatra** » 10 Aug 2009 05:39

WyrmFyre wrote:...kickless strings and once in a while throw an ATW in there.

This might be the best time for you to reach new players! When I was just learning stalls & very basic tricks, it was a lot easier to get people to join me in a circle. These days we don't have a lot of luck getting people to join, and nine times out of ten the people who do join are just doing it for a laugh.

hrdcorethndr1 · Post by **hrdcorethndr1** » 10 Aug 2009 06:06

[quote="shredj" lately ive been writing footbag related sites such as "flipsider" "footbag.org" etc. on dollar bills i come across

aand im at the same situation as mosher is on playing indoor/outdoor[/quote]

Thats a freakin sweet idea, i think that every bill i come across i can do the same, perhaps i can rope a few people into my area to at least check it out!

WyrmFyre · Post by **WyrmFyre** » 10 Aug 2009 06:39

Frank_Sinatra wrote:
WyrmFyre wrote:...kickless strings and once in a while throw an ATW in there.
This might be the best time for you to reach new players! When I was just learning stalls & very basic tricks, it was a lot easier to get people to join me in a circle. These days we don't have a lot of luck getting people to join, and nine times out of ten the people who do join are just doing it for a laugh.

Your probably right, I suppose if i was out there solo busting big adds it might intimidate people, or at least dissuade them from trying.

I think its my own confidence more than anything, ive never been one for public speaking or demonstrations, though im pretty sure i could if i could get past the initial jitters.

Ill stop de-railing this thread now

Zeke · Post by **Zeke** » 11 Aug 2009 19:46

Frank_Sinatra wrote:These days we don't have a lot of luck getting people to join, and nine times out of ten the people who do join are just doing it for a laugh.

LOL, remember that incident with the cops?

Oh yeah, back to that demo....one of those kids showed up at a NYJ. He was with Andre, user WatashiI no Uchi. That's right, 7 hours brings one kid I've only seen at an event for 30 minutes - FOUR years later! That's how it goes kids, quit now and do something that brings in bitches and money!

Net is fucking doomed!

WyrmFyre · Post by **WyrmFyre** » 12 Aug 2009 03:44

I hereby pledge to find one hour this weekend, to head up to the beachfront, to find myself a nice quiet but still public spot, run through all my drills and do what I can to promote this sport.

For anyone else who so far has not done this yet, who will join me?? (In your own home town obviously, although feel free to pop over

)

There, its public, so no backing out now!

maverick-morley · Post by **maverick-morley** » 12 Aug 2009 04:29

im with you on that idea ian. thou im not that great so may have the opposite effect! lol but i will giv it a go! tho not going to the beech.

Toasty · Post by **Toasty** » 12 Aug 2009 06:18

I get to play at work since I work at a Boys and Girls Club. The kids are really intrigued by it, and some have even started playing. I've made 8-panel bags for the kids that wanted to play. And of those that want to play, about half want to learn how to stitch their own bags.

Frank_Sinatra · Post by **Frank_Sinatra** » 14 Aug 2009 06:43

Zeke wrote:
Frank_Sinatra wrote:These days we don't have a lot of luck getting people to join, and nine times out of ten the people who do join are just doing it for a laugh.
LOL, remember that incident with the cops?

Which one?

Zeke wrote:That's how it goes kids, quit now and do something that brings in bitches and money!

slapdash21 · Post by **slapdash21** » 16 Aug 2009 07:34

i play in public 90% of my sessions.

i also keep my footbagdotorg profile up-to-date. which is SO important. you have to have up to date and accurate information, and act like you're the only legitimate club in town whether you are or not. i get about 2-3 emails a month from prospective baggers. some dont wind up sticking around, some do. but if you live in a city, keeping your profile updated is just as important as playing in public.

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Are You Gathering New Players?

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