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Phoenix Open: Updates

Air Jer reporting from the battlefield of scorched earth, Phoenix:

Today was doubles day, the footbag oasis eagerly awaited by all teams after yesterday’s long day of singles. Seedings for doubles were as follows: 1) PT/Walt Houston 2) Chris Siebert/Tuan Vu 3) Jack Harris/Air Jer 4) Cory Current/ Scot Hansen 5) Rob Adams/Amy Westburg 6) Brian ?/Edwin Veltman 7) Jake and Josh DeClercq 8) Sam Gregory / Chad Devlahovich. 2 pools of 4 teams, with “steal the seed” in full effizect.

In pool 1, after both of the top teams defeat the lower seeded teams in their pool, Jack and Jer defeated PT and Walt Houston in 3 games, securing the top spot of the two teams. Both teams advanced to the semis. In pool 2, Chris Siebert and Tuan defeat Cory Current and Scot Hansen to secure the top spot from their pool. Again, both teams advanced. The semis were set: Jack and Jer (1) vs. Cory/Scot H. (4), and Chris and Tuan (2) vs. PT and Walt (3).

To put it concisely, Jack and Jer advanced in two games, with scores of 15-9, 15-9 (approximations, as I don’t remember exactly). Cory and Scot played solidly, but made a few too many mistakes when it counted. We’ll take it.

The semi of the day was definitely the grudge match between Chris/Tuan and PT/Walt. 3 grueling games, lots of side outs, excellent defense from both teams, numerous blocks, several contact fouls, a couple of net crashes, and a broken coupling. First game went to Chris and Tuan fairly easily, or so I hear (didn’t see it). In the second, PT and Walt stave off a match point with brilliant defense and a fair amount of heart to take the second game 16-14.  The momentum had clearly swung. The crowd eagerly anticipated a third high level game, and the teams did not disappoint. The third game was a back and forth battle, with several momentum swings. There was a deadlock at 14-13 for about 10 minutes. Finally, Chris and Tuan got the game. Final game: Chris and Tuan, 15-13.

So, the finals are set for tomorrow: Chris Siebert/Tuan Vu vs. Jack Harris/Jeremy Mirken.
And in singles: Chris Siebert vs Jeremy Mirken.

Stay tuned!

Phoenix Singles

The Phoenix Open is happening this weekend.  Saturday was the singles bracket elimination and open doubles competition starts today, Sunday.  The championship matches will be played Monday, MLK day.

At first, Chaos was hesitant to attend the event not wanting to hijack Obama’s inauguartion news cycle.  In the end, we decided the show must go on and good thing!  Jeremy Mirken, Chaos #25, will be in his first singles final against Chris Siebert of NPR.  Jeremy went through Cory Current and Rob Adams to get there.  Chris Siebert defeated Jack Harris, Chaos #2, in the other semi.

The Green Cup - What It's All About

Happy New Year to all from Chaos!

Do you have a resolution?  Does it include getting to The Green Cup this year?  Do you have your tickets yet?  Mark your calendar May 24th through the 26th and get your ass on a plane, train, automobile to join us.  I guarantee you won’t regret it.  You may wear it harsh but you won’t regret it.

Here’s a collection of highlights from last year’s event.  You can download a high resolution version here (right click and save/download target)

Thx for sharing this Manu!  Check out more footbag vids edited by Manu at footbagnet.com.

Updates and Clarifications

What we saw in most South American players is that their desire for immediate gratification by winning games supercedes the desire to acquire a foundation of basic kicks. Less that half of the players use back kicks. Interestingly, however, even the VZ kickers with only one really good kick, typically an inside, are able to play great singles matches. In fact, two different VZ players beat a gringo in singles competition, and two more gave us quite a scare.

Not only was Chaos#25 sick for 3 of the 4 tournament days (incl. chest congestion, fever, chills, sore throat, head cold), he also got heat stroke on the second day after plowing through the doubles and singles fields in 30C heat, making his way into the semis. He ¨recovered¨ the next day to play his doubles matches and last year´s VZ champ, Jairo Lagos.

Jack spent a great deal of energy playing pick up games, eventually exhausting himself, and a great deal of down time reading a book at the event sites . . . that socialite.

We signed autographs and took pictures with players (and their babies) on multiple occasions, for about 10 minutes. We even had caricatures drawn of us.

It was unfortunate that, due to scheduling hiccups and changes, chronic running lateness, unanticipated venue difficulties, etc that there was very little down time to host what might be called a true ¨clinic¨ for teaching net skills. #25, however, did manage to find time to gather the intermediate players and preach about the fundamentals, differences between singles and doubles strategy, and the quickest ways to see improvments in their net games. This was greatly appreciated. Both Jack and Jer played pickup with many different partners, during which time fundamentals about court positioning and movement were expressed in broken Spanish.

Many players down here have already acquired some of the basic spikes, such as sole push and side kick, toe reverse, bitch slap, and to a lesser extent sweeps and pull downs. Flying pull downs and scissoring spikes were rare, as were toe jams (with the exception of Nelson, who cruched skulls with his).

The biggest needs are developing control with all 4 basic kicks and understanding court movement for aggressive offensive and defensive play. Spike technique also needs a great deal of refinement in certain cases, however, this must take a back seat to acquiring the aforementioned skills.

Carlos has gotten a lot better, and is one of the few VZ players who is moving around the court and using his partner (Fufa) to the full extent, like most North American players do.

Gringos Storm Sur America!

Upon arrival in Caracas, Jack and Jeremy were given a true Venezuelan welcome: After Jeremy`s flight was delayed, Chino and Diego waited for hours at the airport, then drove the gringos to Nelson and Paulo`s house.  Nelson cooked us a late-night supper and late-morning breakfast the next day.  Paolo gave us his bed.  Before our evening departure, we walked around their neighborhood with the Castro brothers.  Highlights: Unbelievably oversized bottle-rockets and mortars for sale on the street; a skate park with ambulance parked on-site; fresh coconut juice; and, of course, Mirckosoft. 

After a 13 hour bus ride from Caracas to San Cristobal and a very warm welcome from Mr. Carlos Marquez himself, we were ready to to see how how South American players do.  It`s a good thing that footbag skills are not measured by circle hack ability. We have nothing on these coños locos. Scissor behind-the-back sole digs, crazy diving saves, circle jousts, and multiple injuries are part of the game: Circle is a contact sport--fortunately (according to some) Net is not.

We were surprised by the number of net players in VZ, and especially by the fact that 9 out of every 10 footbag players prefers net over freestyle!  In fact, there were only 2 freestylers from VZ at the championships, and about 40 net players.  As you might expect, the potential is tremendous down here, though most of these guys need more disciplined training: The desire for spectacular spikes and stylish saves clearly precedes learning the basic kicks.  Yves and Jeremy spent a good deal of time teaching outside-kick technique.  These guys learn fast...look out!

Carlos arranged for some very nice venues for the tournament.  In particular, the indoor stadium for the last two days was awesome.  Unlike last year in Colombia, he decided to let the gringos compete in the tournament.  Uh-oh.  Like Euro Championships of years past, the IFPA results were to be separated from the South American results.  Translation: Jack and Jer were not going to take a trophy home. 

In Venezuela ``ahora`` (literally translated as ``now``) actually means ``later``, and ``ya`` (already) means ``now``.  Net events were chronically ahora.  Finals day went from 10am to past midnight...and the complete results for open doubles are still undetermined.  We can tell you this much: Two gringos played in the singles final, and only one was under 40.  Despite having a cold and severely chapped (mouth) lips, Jeremy mounted a serious challenge against Yves.  Fufa upset Jairo in an epic battle for the South American trophy.  In doubles, Jack and Jer handled their shit, but Nelson and Panchito (Ronaldo) put up a good fight in the final. 

One final note:  Christmas, i.e. the month of December, in Venezuela is not complete without 24-7 fireworks.  Literally.  At times, we thought Chavistas were shelling the stadium.  Nothing like an ear-shattering boom to keep your mind focused during a match.

(written by Jack, with Jeremy complaining about the lack of `epicness` of the post over his shoulder--Jeremy will post a supplement shortly)

Chaos ProAm Fund Raisin Keg Party Thing

So we think we’re still in college.  That ain’t so bad.  House Party and Fundraiser preceded by a Pro-Am competition at the Lake.  Footbag play, a DJ, Lagunitas brew on tap (Our sponsor - thx Lagunitas!).

Come out and team up with some of the best players in the world - even if you suck .  If you lose, it’s their fault cause they’re supposed to carry you.  If you win, it’s your fault because the chain is only as strong as it’s weakest link.  You can’t lose!

Check it out Saturday Dec 6th.  Here’s a link to our event on facebook.

Also, check out our calendar for more info.