How Old(the next chapter)?

Slowsis · Post by **Slowsis** » 11 Dec 2005 16:12

How old is too old? If you aspire to be one of the best do you have to start young? Is there such a thing as being to old to really push your own level of play from intermediate to BAP?

hackeysnacker · Post by **hackeysnacker** » 11 Dec 2005 16:21

it depends on the dedication and the shape one is in.. the worse shape someone [older] is in when they start, the less potential they probably have - but if someone older is in good condition then they could probably learn as quickly as anybody.. granted if u start at 30 vs someone who starts at 14, the one who started earlier is bound to be much better when they are 35 as opposed to the older player at 35. It's like that with pretty much everything though.. especially sports

"Too old" shouldn't apply though.. it's fun

jon · Post by **jon** » 11 Dec 2005 18:24

No age is really to old, that being said I see starting footbag at an age later then 15 as being a major struggle if one intends to reach bap shred level now a days.

slapdash21 · Post by **slapdash21** » 11 Dec 2005 18:34

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that is to say, im not sure i agree. i think there are some with enough natural ability that you could start at 20 at still get to bap, provided they manage it in under 6 years. also if you are involved with other sports that use the same muscles (some track and field stuff, swimming) you have a great foundation that you can take advantage of at almost any age.

Laroche · Post by **Laroche** » 11 Dec 2005 20:27

So at 26 you have no more potential to be amongst the best anymore?

David Morawski · Post by **David Morawski** » 11 Dec 2005 20:50

jon wrote:No age is really to old, that being said I see starting footbag at an age later then 15 as being a major struggle if one intends to reach bap shred level now a days.

Interesting take. "Big Add" Chad Devlahovich started freestyling when he was around 18 (I think)..a current member of BAP. That being said, I wonder if he had a "major struggle" to attain BAP-hood.

I would have to agree with those who say that anyone who is in the proper physical condition to play footbag can be successful at any age.

Outsider · Post by **Outsider** » 11 Dec 2005 23:58

I started to shred when I was twenty. It took me just about six years to make BAP. People sometimes ask me if I would still make BAP today, and I think that the answer is no. I never really progressed to tripless shred, and have done relatively few 5 ADD moves, virtually no 6's, and certainly don't hit any of that stuff on a regular basis. Then again, I think I was not admitted to The Posse based on my ADD ratio, but rather all the stuff I was good at that nobody else was getting good at. Now-a-days I have far more stuff like that up my sleeve than ever before, though much of it feels to me as though its only at an intermediate level (though it has pro potential, and I'm trying to get it to that level, but its hard. Its not a stuggle due to age, though, simply that its hard to make those tricks consistant enough).

I like to practice alone alot, but when I kick with other people, the guy I play with the most is Jack Keller, a.k.a. Major Doody. Jack is an inspiration to me. He had been kicking around a hacky sack alot for many years, but only started to freestyle (as we define the term) when I met him about four years ago. He has NEVER stopped surprising me with his abilities. He learns more slowly than some teens I know, none-the-less he has mastered some pretty hard concepts, he has a far better barrage then I (he'll probably hit Flurry and Barroque soon, moves that I've always wanted to do but probably never will

), his double-downs are still getting better (a little at a time) and he has done a number of things that I'd bet none of you have EVER done. All that in just about 4 years, in his mid-forties, and with various health problems that I'm afraid we may all be in for eventually (not just footbaggers; getting old apparently sucks).

Oh, Jack will almost certainly never make BAP, but I don't think thats important. He has fun playing, and he is still getting better, and is already better than I had figured he would ever be. Don't give up hope, don't stop playing. Whether or not you'll make it into BAP is irrelevant (in a way, I'm not really even in the BAP anymore: I mean, really, Big ADDs? I don't DO big ADDs, but I'm still learning stuff, still getting better). With persistance you can still be great, even if you are not Vasek.
You might even become great at stuff even Vasek can't do

.

jon · Post by **jon** » 12 Dec 2005 06:47

jon wrote:No age is really to old, that being said I see starting footbag at an age later then 15 as being a major struggle if one intends to reach bap shred level now a days.

Wow I got to quote myself

Please not my words were choosen carefully. I am well aware that older bap members did not start playing until they were 'older'. However to make bap these days you will be competeting with a greater number of players with on average a high level of shred when entered bap then say 3 or 4 years ago. (Ignoring that year that vasek, honza, and ales got inducted) Most players that get these days start at a younger age. It is by no means impossible to get in when starting at an older age but think about who gets in and how old they are when they started and you can decide the odds for yourselves. I think starting at <=13 as being ideal.