Posted: Tue Sep 06, 2005 12:44 am Post subject: Footbag Guide!
If you want to freestyle, you'll need the right equipment. The right equipment consists of the right shoes, shorts, and footbag. Here is a quick guide to picking out what you need.
To begin footbag, you need the right footbag. Don't buy a sipa, you may as well use a big fuckin rock. A footbag specifically designed for freestyle footbag will help you develop your skills, not to mention make everything a whole lot easier! The right bag to begin with is going to be a Mr. Sandbag from
Freedom Footbags - Click here
If you want to upgrade to a 32 panel, get a handstitched bag from a professional stitcher. They will always be better than machine made. They are great quality, and you will pay for what you're getting. If you're interested in a
handstitched 32 panel footbag - Click here
Footbag wear is next at hand. Undoubtedly, you're going to need the right shoes. Despite what this and that pair of shoes seem to be like, you're going to want to start with what everyone recommends for a reason! If you're serious, and you really want to freestyle footbag, you are going to need the right shoes. The right shoes are Rod Lavers. Modify them to your needs, and the day you begin to truly footbag, is the day you strap on your first pair of modded Lavers.
Shorts: Wear 'em. Easier than in pants.
This is a quick guide to answer all of your first questions. If you've any more, ask away.
I was hoping this would be made into a sticky, because it contains most of the answers beginners search for. Unfortunately, some threads are filled with confusing answers-so I took advice from top freestylers and quickly compiled it, that way, searching would a lot easier, less threads would be made, and the answers would already be available off the bat
I just wanted to make it as easy for newcomers as possible, with the right answers.
Joined: 23 Feb 2005 Posts: 321 Location: Orillia, Ontario, Canada
Posted: Wed Sep 14, 2005 12:45 am Post subject:
It would be a good idea I think, but newcomers seems to all have this HUGE problem with reading the already existant Sticky's. Except one, that guy was especially cool... I'm not going to say anything against your guid, it would prolly be a good thing to have available. But I'm just letting you know, in the off chance you haven't noticed: Newcomers almost ALWAYS go straight to posting, never reading... Sry to be negative, but I just figured I'd remind you.
do not misunderstand me, but i have been freestyling for maybe 4 years until i got my first pair of lavers.. also i have never used a mr. sandbag until 3 weeks ago.
so i do not think you *need* any of the two to become a freestyler. it may be disturbing for a beginner to read this, making him think he shouldn´t even try without the "right gear".
Joined: 24 Mar 2005 Posts: 732 Location: Queens, NY, USA
Posted: Fri Sep 16, 2005 3:21 pm Post subject:
I guess referring the Mr. Sandbag, a proper 32 panel bag, and having Rod Laver shoes would be a 'preferred' standard than having it imposed as something you *will* need to freestyle with. When trying to draw in beginners wanting to learn more about this sport, its proper I believe to go easy on them and not force them to do anything they're not ready to do.
However, its good to let them know that these items are things that most pros use, and even for some pros these items don't fit their need to freestyle with. Again, its good to note that there's a huge and wide alternative selection of shoes besides Rod Lavers (like New Balances, Reebok G-Units, Adidas Climacools, etc.) and those shoes might be the type that would fit their needs in footwear. There's also a huge variety of bags out there, but in a sense its common knowledge that the smaller the bag, the better for your dexes and for your game. But if you can change accordingly to size, then by all means go right ahead; it's your learning curve. You don't need to play with a 32 panel bag, and you can play with other bags besides the Mr. Sandbag, but those are the two things most pros prefer. Hell, you can go along and use the Facile version of the Mr. Sandbag or a x# panel bag to use for yourself. Its just that the function of the number of panels and size has not yet failed to this day. Basically:
Freestyle pellet bag: Up to 32 panels maximum.
Freestyle sand bag: Up to 14 panels maximum.
Net bag: Up to 62 panels maximum. (I'm not too sure about this, and I hope to clarify about it soon. Roundness and larger amount of panels actually aid in play to make for a firmer and direct bounce, I believe.)
So really, to sum it all up, go right ahead and have fun. We're here to counsel you with whatever needs or concerns you have, but be sure to search a topic to find answers on the questions you have in mind. It'll save a lot of us some time in explaining it for you. The Guide is helpful only to an extent, and you can never discount the creativity and alternative items out there that can fit your preference.
we could collect some more posts with basic tips and other aidful things ... then Allan or me can make it a edited sticky.
i do agree with all the above, all i wanted to stress is that it might sound a bit too much like "its a must to have this and that".
but maybe i read this in a different way, since i am not a native speaker.
but i like the idea of having all the stuff that was asked for a hundred times in a sticky on top of all. even if only some new faces here will have a look at it.
some thoughts from me:
-lets refer to the shoe as "adidas rod laver". i think it´s easier to find then... otherwise people might search for "lavers" and find all kind of things.
-lacing is described here http://www.footbag.org/faq/show/941276901 where else?
-there is of course also this http://www.footbag.org/faq/
-the mr. is also available in other shops... so maybe we could make a (international) list of quality supplyers for the footbag community.
@emo: for me on netbags the material is more critical than the number of panels. and again its a matter of personal preference. i hate vinyl bags. but 62 is my choice too.
@jay: its cool that you started this topic. if we keep up on it we should have a nice little guide for beginners/advancing by the end of next week or so.
Joined: 23 Aug 2003 Posts: 643 Location: Victoria, BC, Canada
Posted: Sun Sep 18, 2005 6:10 am Post subject:
I just stickied this for now (upon Jay's request) because it's better than nothing, I suppose. If someone wants to post/edit something better and/or more cohesive, post it as a separate thread called something like "Footbag Guide (revised)" or something appropriate; then come in here and let this thread know; then email me - allan [at] footbag [dot] org - and tell me to sticky it.
Or we could just leave this thread ...
One thing I will note is that all newbies should READ THE FAQ's before doing anything else.
Joined: 23 May 2006 Posts: 1 Location: South Thomaston, ME, USA
Posted: Tue May 23, 2006 12:17 pm Post subject: ehh
excuse me, but i thought you didnt want your site to turn into a market place..... i am the only one seeing some mild product placement in this. im new to the site. and ive just started linking my tricks. however, if you are going to hold us children to such harsh standards, i think every one shoulc apply
Joined: 07 Dec 2005 Posts: 37 Location: Dunedin, Otago, New Zealand
Posted: Tue May 23, 2006 12:41 pm Post subject: Re: ehh
William Ball (mckoolaid) wrote:
excuse me, but i thought you didnt want your site to turn into a market place..... i am the only one seeing some mild product placement in this. im new to the site. and ive just started linking my tricks. however, if you are going to hold us children to such harsh standards, i think every one shoulc apply
Product placement? I am fairly sure Josh has nothing to do with Adidas or with Freedom or any 32 panel hand stitcher... it's just common sence!
Look at any pro footbag video, what shoes are they wearing? Rod lavers. What bag are they using? A hand stitched 32panel unless it's Jim Pensky who uses freedom 4panel sand bags.
Josh is just trying to make your life easier, not everyone on this forum knows the standard equipment that is deemed best to footbag freestyle, it's nothing to do with trying to sell someone's product.
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