Are the footbag forums useless?

Rieferman · Post by **Rieferman** » 09 Jun 2004 04:52

I'm just asking.. I haven't decided yet (though you may have noticed I don't post here anymore really). No flames please. Just discussion.

A lot of times, I feel that much of the conversation is either poor quality, non-footbag related, just plain erroneous, extremely repetitive, or (worst of all) argumentative and destructive due to flame wars.

In fact, the only posts that I read anymore are new video posts and journies to tournies posts.

What's the point?

kaos · Post by **kaos** » 09 Jun 2004 05:24

I think you made valid points. But I still feel that the forums have alot of value. Coming from a country that have little or no footbag history/culture, with no one really able to do anything more than ATW, the forums have proven to be the most valuable resource for me personally.

Most of what I've learned about the sport have been from the forums. Although there are some other excellent resources on the web, they cannot provide all the info I require. It is on the forums, where I can ask questions, and read other peoples questions/answers, that I learned the most. It is true that their are many erroneous posts, and I made more than my fair share of them. But the way I see it, I have to make mistakes so I can learn from them. Luckily their are always a more experienced player that will correct me if I am wrong, so I am able to learn much more than I would have been if I was to afraid to make mistakes.

I think more experience players should take it apon themselves to atleast read the forums regularly (and give their input where needed), because new players like me can learn alot from them (considering I would probably never get to play in the same circles as them).

Another great thing about modified is the community aspect. This naturally leads to non-footbag related topics. I think most members consider each other friends, and it is natural for friends to discuss issues related to all aspects of life.

Lastly, I agree that the argumentative nature of certain posts is concerning to say the least. I don't think it has a place in the community, and it should be easy to avoid, if everyone thinks twice before they post, and try to keep their ego's in check. (With that in mind, I think the moderators should take more responsibility to prevent flame wars before they get out of hand)

New video posts are the best!!!

ShredStylez · Post by **ShredStylez** » 09 Jun 2004 07:22

I would say that they are not useless because here is where we learn about our fellow community and how each person is in a way. Although sometimes things r read the wrong way and then u get lashed out at as u said in argument or flame wars.

All i know about footbag right now i believe really came from the forums. Alot of newcomers learn here.

FlexThis · Post by **FlexThis** » 09 Jun 2004 07:30

I use the forums as a way to stay connected to my footbag roots. I love footbag more than any other sport I've played, and I've played a lot. I have a ton of trophy's from basketball, baseball, volleyball, and soccer. But none compare to the old crusty footbags I have lying around the house.

Now that I am a grown man (yeah right!) I don't have the time I once did to play. I play maybe once or twice a week if my wife is preoccupied, otherwise I'm doing choirs, entertaining the kids, or working on house projects.

The forums also help the day go by faster while I'm at work. I get to branch out and daydream a little bit about what might have been, or reflect on what was. I get a sense for how the sport has grown, where it is going, and who is pushing.

The flame war aspect is a form of entertainment as well. I love it when Rob goes off on someone for something. Or a member, like myself, gets banned and everyone rallies to get him/her (me) back. It really shows that although we may say mean things from time to time, we are all still friends. Where else but Canada (modified.ca) can you have such freedoms

This forum in particular allows people to relax and be themselves. You don't always have to be right, you can edit your posts if you were in the wrong, and there is no governing body other than Rob (who kicks), Bob and Brad (who also kick). These guys are 100% quality members of the community with no hidden agendas or esoteric methods to their madness. They are genuine human beings.

But most of all, the friendships that are made is the best part of this forum. I have met more people here than any one tourney I have attended. And although I have never kicked with these people, I am still inspired by them and they keep the flame of footbag alive in my heart. So I may never forget the skills I have, the skills I have yet to learn, and the skills I have to pass on to the next generation of shred phenoms.

Worthless? IMO NO!!!

shredj · Post by **shredj** » 09 Jun 2004 08:37

imo the footbag forums are definitely not useless. new players come here to learn more about the sport and stuff about the whole footbag community. ill agree with you that there can be alot of poor, non footbag related, argumentive posts, but thats all a part of it. but hey no one is perfect. the point (obviously) is to enlighten newcomers and to talk about footbag with everyone and bring everyone together in the footbag community. when someone needs help they are dependant on this forum for it. sure there will be a post here and there about shaving pubics, picking your nose or arguing which president is better but thats all a part of it. for me personally, the forum has definitely brought me closer to know the true meaning of footbag and the community. the forum should be a place where people can come for help or questions about things anytime and find it and be able to speak their mind. especially when you live somewhere where there is absoulutely NO footbag scene, you can go online and learn stuff, talk it up, and watch videos to improve your game and higher your determination. i have definitely met tons of new buddies from the forum. where would we be without it?!

carl winslow · Post by **carl winslow** » 09 Jun 2004 12:33

i think most internet forums are pretty useless but what do i know? i dont even post here anymore!
-i do think the reason that there is so much non footbag talk here is because no one can talk only about footbag it gets boring.

max · Post by **max** » 10 Jun 2004 00:03

are internal business meetings useless? Are club meetings useless? Not really, but they do ALWAYS go off-topic, people rant/vent/flame they're repetitive etc... Just try and grab the 10% usefull stuff that's actually said.

sPinko-Mania · Post by **sPinko-Mania** » 10 Jun 2004 03:21

Na, there is a lot of repetitive stuff here, but it's a great, accessible way to talk about stuff and learn new things. I've learnt a lot of stuff about footbag from forums. The old .org lists had a sort of charm to them, but forums are better.

Flamewars are funny as hell sometimes, as long as the mods don't break them up, and I like seeing argumentative. It would be pretty damn boring if things didn't get argumentative.

NotHisRealName · Post by **NotHisRealName** » 10 Jun 2004 04:13

The two threads I always check when I log into Modified are Videos and Kicking Circle.
That's because I love seeing what everyone is up to, and I love hearing what everyone is up to.
If I've got the time, then I'll check the other threads.

I do agree that there is alot of repetition here with threads like "Help with clippers" and whatnot. But there's still an opportunity to learn. For example, for me I started a discussion about what denotes a set, and learned something in the process.
Another example is the Alpine Rubberman thread. If that's not pushing the boundaries and advancing the sport, then I don't know what is.

Not useless.

Splint · Post by **Splint** » 10 Jun 2004 05:50

Totally useless? No, but I agree with everything Bob said.

There is often so much garbage in the footbag sections of this forum.
Over the last month I think I've posted in those sections 2 or 3 times. Not even due to the repetitive nature, but more because of the stupid topics and ideas that tend to get posted there...I'm no exception to that by the way.
Now I just tend to be more selective as to what I post in there. I've mostly decided that some of the newer thoughts and ideas are totally flawed and destructive to being able to talk about freestyle and understand one another. I'm tired of reading trick names where 5 people made up different names and no one can settle on one name or seeing "oh I thought it was called Smegma, but you say it's Pantheon, well I like Smegma so that's what I'm calling it". Concepts are even worse. The whole Gyro conversation left a bad taste in my mouth so I left it alone after a while. Basically I'm at the point of freestyling and letting other people tell me what I hit if it has a name or I'll just describe it by components or whatever.

Signing up multiple user names and posting under all the different names is pretty damn retarded also. I can see doing it if there is a point to be made and people's preconceived bias of what an individual might have to say will interfere with getting the point across, but using multiple names just to be funny is just fuckin dumb. ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU DON'T EVER POST YOUR REAL NAME IN YOUR SIGNATURE.

What's worse is just plain stupidity, and there seems to be no end in site for all of humanity... again, myself included.

Matt · Post by **Matt** » 10 Jun 2004 08:17

I like the misspellings

The only section I read is Kicking Circle.

Rob · Post by **Rob** » 10 Jun 2004 08:35

I think the forums are useless because it's really made talking footbag boring to me. 9/10 times when someone starts to talk about footbag I start thinking of what movies I want to download or listening to queen in my head.

I got sick of seeing threads regarding which trick was better, people adding nothing to the forum but bragging about whatever they're hitting and the general garbage I saw on a day to day basis.

Kicking Circle is where the party and fun is at. The rest of the forum is like the library I refuse to walk into.

SpaceMonkey · Post by **SpaceMonkey** » 10 Jun 2004 09:29

I only check The Kicking Circle and Discussion because everything else I have most likely already read and all the new stuff is way over my ability.

Anz · Post by **Anz** » 10 Jun 2004 10:38

Our sport hasn't got anyone to make the "rules" freestyle has. The community makes them and one of the best ways to do that is with forums.

Newbies (hacky sackers) also find the real freestyle from internet - forums.

- Anssi Sundberg

bigdirtyfoot · Post by **bigdirtyfoot** » 10 Jun 2004 11:01

I enjoy the community... a part of me has grown up on this board. I feel like I know all of you, and I realize that y'all have your disagreements, and some of y'all will simply never get along. Even if the forum doesn't have constant ingenuity flowing through it, there are still certain threads on it about footbag that make me enjoy coming back.

Matt · Post by **Matt** » 10 Jun 2004 22:13

I agree completely with rob and espeically with david. I have brought many a problem to these boards and people have really helped me out. Its a very comfortable place for me if I need to talk to some people. I agree with Rob that, I don't really care anymore what new moves people are hitting or what tournies are going on over on the east coast or whatever. Its fun to discuss cureent issues and whatever else

MegaFighter_X · Post by **MegaFighter_X** » 11 Jun 2004 01:37

Repetitive garbage a lot of the time, yes. It does get old, granted, but if you look though, sometimes there is that little bit there that puts a whole new perspective on things. It's also a good place to meet new people and help them out. I don't mind being repetitive (too much, at least) as long as it helps someone out. This is a good thing we have here, being able to talk to newbs and pros alike. I doubt many other sports enjoy that.

bob · Post by **bob** » 11 Jun 2004 18:43

I'll always dig this place. I hardly ever post, but i love seeing new videos. and plus, how will i ever know which new move that vasek hit to gawk about!

I really think the forums are great to be honest with ya although it should be stated that i VERY VERY rarely ever look in the "new moves" part of the moves thread or the stitching section. For me though, I really feel like it helps my game by giving me new ideas. plus it's great if you are holding a tourney to let everyone know about it. I know that I hardly ever check footbag.org anymore for tourneys. I come here.

bob glasser

Spadrick · Post by **Spadrick** » 15 Jun 2004 20:31

I love the forum. I love the feeling of being in touch with hundreds of footbagers. It brings the ever expanding comunity closer together.

I frequent the newb channels, Getting started, General, Tournies, Kicking Circle. I check each out at least once a day to make sure that I keep up with the goings on.

I like it cause I cant get enough of footbag, and this is one way to quench my footbag desire whilst sitting behind a desk at work.

Forums rock.

marc · Post by **marc** » 28 Jun 2004 04:47

I haven't been on these forums very long, but they are helpful. They let people like me see whats going on with the sport, and learn about it. As far as the conversation here being poor quality, I can tell you it's alot better then alot of other forums on the internet. (Non footbag forums)