Growing scene; Sewing.

Hey guys. Every week I am surprised when I realize that one could actually say we have a thriving scene here in middle TN. I think I can say that this is thanks in large part to the efforts of Elliott, no doubt that catalyst for most footbag activity in the area. I know he's put in a lot of work for the growth of the sport in the area and it's nice to see it paying off. Thanks Elliott for everything you do, we'd probably all be lazy bums on Sundays without you.

Also, I am eagerly awaiting the arrival of the facile fabric I ordered from Fields Fabric so that I can get to making some freestyle bags of my own. I've already started one and hopefully can fine tune the craft and put together some kickable bags. If I can get good enough at it I'd like to start selling some (with a Nashville crew discount of course), and maybe pick up some spare cash doing something footbag related (how cool). Elliott's done a great job getting us all interested in net, now maybe if I can put together some nice 32-panel bags for everyone we can start developing some advanced freestylers. Well I'll see you guys tomorrow, and maybe by next week I can have my first completed 32. Take it easy Nash-town.

Communications

So for the past 4 months I've been alerting everyone about practice via e-mail. It works for some people, but actually only 1/2 of our crew bother to check their accounts. I wind up having to make a few phone calls regardless, and it takes too much time to organize if I have to speak with people individually. So next weekend I'm moving over to texts because it's faster, easier, & nearly everyone has a cell. I think this will resolve a few of our communication issues.

Elevation

As the newer members are getting more experience, the level of competition is increasing. It's nice to see that everyone is growing more comfortable with at least one spike. We're beginning to see more "jousting" on the court as a result. For those unfamiliar with the term, a joust is when 2 players on opposing sides of the net both make a play for the bag. This was our first practice at Patterson Park & it went pretty well, despite Andrew nearly being stampeded by a horde of unattended children. It's a shame I don't have a picture of that as well.

Joust - Thomas vs. Alex A.

Patterson Park Community Center

This Sunday we'll be kicking at a new location in Murfreesboro. Patterson Park Community Center is located at 521 Mercury Blvd. just down the road from MTSU Blvd. 615-890-5333. They have racquetball courts for net & a nice area for circle kicking. We're going to have to chip in some cash & get a premium membership; it's $60 for the card, but it's good for 30 visits & all of us can use the same card until it runs out. I'm bringing my ping pong gear for the rec. room & Andrew's gonna get a beatdown - shakehand style. See ya'll on the court.

Memphis Footworks Photo Reel

Here's a nice montage of footbag in Memphis through the ages. Alex G. & I make a couple of appearances in the photos. The Memphis boys have a thing for the "monkey", in fact I'm suprised they haven't worked it into their logo somehow. I hope that explains the poor choice of music. Happy viewing....

Nashville '09

We got off to an excellent start this year with six members turning out to kick. Alex G. & I did a brief clinic on sole pushes. The practice mainly consisted of drills, but we played a few games near the end of the session. I took some photos with my cell. Enjoy some blurry pics.

Nashville Originals: Elliott vs. Alex G.

New Members: Justin & Alex A.

Circle Kicking: Andrew & Nikolai

X-mas Footbag

Footbag action has been pretty slow over the holidays. We took the weekend of X-mas weekend off, but we did manage to pull off a session on the 4th. I figured that Alex & I were just going to be playing singles seeing how nearly everyone else was still out of town. So I was about to set up the net, then I looked to my right & there were two people (I didn't even know) who were already kicking. We've had new people playing footbag at every practice for the past two months. I'm puzzled as to why we're recruiting more people this winter than we have in the past two years combined! Is footbag in season again or am I finally doing something right?

Merry Christmas from some of my co-workers