Freestyle for College Project

[Damiano]

When did you start freestyle?
April 2010

How did you find out about it?
Friend told me to watch John Farnworth video

How often do you train?
1 hour per day unless i have school work to do

Why do you like it so much?
No limitations like in football(tactics,coach, positions)
Its fun always trying to push my personal limits and improve
Cool Community and freestylers always seem to be nice people

Is it a sport or an art?
It's an sport with artistic elements in it

Do you think freestylers have their own style of clothing/slang phrases etc.?
Unique terminology, Many people were monta,tekneek clothes which is unique. But hardcore people wear sports clothes and some others wear jeans

What other subculture do you think its most similar to in relation to the tricks themselves and the community? (eg. skating, graffiti, hip hop dance, bboying)
Like footbag but similar to many other urban activities like bboy, parkour

What is the single best thing about Freestyle for you?
Landing harder aircombos/ Freedom!

Would you consider Freestyle as a source of income?
If theres jobs there will be money. If there are no jobs there won't be money.

[anhkhoashevakt]

When did you start freestyle?
January 2007, still remember that up the top of my head. Official first time when I started ... juggling haha.

How did you find out about it?
Joga Bonito, and Touzani part 1. But I made my mind up to follow freestyle after these 2 videos:
Emil J part 1, and Palle and Daniel part 2.

How often do you train?
On average 2 hours a day.

Why do you like it so much?
It takes my mind off classes for a change. After a freestyle session I always feels like I'm ready for anything. (well, except really bad sessions xD)
And also the more I get into freestyle, I began to realized that I can actually express myself through it. It's really fun and rewarding at the same time.
Furthermore, it allows you to make friends with so many people around the world.

Is it a sport or an art?
Both. Everything in my definition is an art form. Freestyle is definitely a sport, just like basketball freestyle or footbag. But the art side of freestyle is immense, because you can do stuff with it alone, and your style dictates who you are. It's like playing a flute or a piano, only with a ball and using your feet.

Do you think freestylers have their own style of clothing/slang phrases etc.?
Clothing, yeah! Just look at Monta, Calle, Tek Neek... oh man... there definitely are a lot of them.
Slang phrases, definitely! I think from ATW to AEMATW, we have so many phrases that can make the untrained person feel dizzy before reading them!

What other subculture do you think its most similar to in relation to the tricks themselves and the community? (eg. skating, graffiti, hip hop dance, bboying)
Footbag, Basketball freestyle, and Bboying. But it's freestyle, you can combine it with anything, as long as it doesn't look ugly and "wierd".

What is the single best thing about Freestyle for you?
Being able to make friends with so many people around the world. The freestyle community is like a big family!

Would you consider Freestyle as a source of income?
Somewhat. As a 2nd one, definitely. But I also have a college degree to work up to.  

[62zahiir]

When did you start freestyle?
January 2008

How did you find out about it?
Touzani video from a friend mobile then i started to search on youtube,metacafe etc.. Found Joga Bonito and a few clips of nike pub !!

How often do you train?
2Hours every weekend

Why do you like it so much?
Its fun for me i enjoy myself a lot mixing tricks and to impress people  I can make friends all over the world with freestyle its a universal language !!

Is it a sport or an art?
I would say an art because simply everybody has its own style of doing the tricks !!

Do you think freestylers have their own style of clothing/slang phrases etc.?
Yeah Tek neek and Monta clothes are coolest !! But i made my own shirt 

What other subculture do you think its most similar to in relation to the tricks themselves and the community? (eg. skating, graffiti, hip hop dance, bboying)
Freestyle is related to the urban art !! Yeah in freestyle football bboying i would say !!

What is the single best thing about Freestyle for you?
When i land a new trick i become happiest person on earth 

Would you consider Freestyle as a source of income?
Not really yeah i get a small amount of money from my live performances but can't make a living !! I must continue my studies

[giniu]

When did you start freestyle?
2003/2004

How did you find out about it?
Thanks to Psona

How often do you train?
I never trained or train, I just freestyle few times a year.

Why do you like it so much?
Dunno.

Is it a sport or an art?
Both in fact, but in sport it's all about the results, and the art is more complicated, so for me freestyle is rather some kind of recreation.

Do you think freestylers have their own style of clothing/slang phrases etc.?
Style of clothing - nope, but the slang of course, at least in Poland.

What other subculture do you think its most similar to in relation to the tricks themselves and the community? (eg. skating, graffiti, hip hop dance, bboying)
Comparing the tricks it would be footbag, and comparing the community - none.

What is the single best thing about Freestyle for you?
Going on tournaments and meeting the people with the same passion.

Would you consider Freestyle as a source of income?
Yes. I've got plenty of money from freestyle, but I think it will be even easier to get it this way in few years.

[Andrew]

When did you start freestyle?

2006


How did you find out about it?

Guy at school did it and then i typed football tricks into the internet and saw Touzani.

How often do you train?

5 hours a day 5 days a week.


Why do you like it so much?

Because of its freedom compared to other sports and arts, I can express myself in anyway I want, sometimes I have a breakdance style with flips, freezes and creative stuff with hands but other times I train hardcore combos . Also I like that I can challenge myself with not limitations and if I want to get better and do new things then its up to me to make it happen. I also really like meeting new people and travelling around the world doing shows and sharing my freestyle. And I also like competetions.


Is it a sport or an art?

It is what you make it. Sometimes in my freestyle it is an art and others it is a sport and sometimes both.

Do you think freestylers have their own style of clothing/slang phrases etc.?

Yes to some extent.


What other subculture do you think its most similar to in relation to the tricks themselves and the community? (eg. skating, graffiti, hip hop dance, bboying)

It again in my opinion depends on the freestyler, some that do set routines only and shows think it is like hiphop dance and others may think b boying or skating I think its most similar is bboying epecially in France and Japan.

What is the single best thing about Freestyle for you?

The pussy. No really I think doing something individual which can be self motivating for freestyle itself and for life outside of freestyle and this can also inspire other people in whatever they do in life.

Would you consider Freestyle as a source of income?

Yes

[alexfs]

When did you start freestyle?
late 2009

How did you find out about it?
first I came across a few russian web-sites, then I met local freestylers, most of all I was impressed by Ilya Dynkin (he is not well-know on bf), especially by his lower abilities.

How often do you train?
usually 3-5 hours per day 6 days a week, but because of college, sometimes I can train 9 hours a day, sometimes 9 hours a week - I never force myself to practice - I force myself to rest on Sunday

Why do you like it so much?
I simply love it.
I also like the community which is quite nice.

Is it a sport or an art?
Depends. In Russia it's a sport. In Japan - may be an art - idk? Generally speaking, it can be both.
I like the Russian approach to freestyle as a sport more. Since freestyle is so competitive there, people are always challenged to progress to catch up with the rest.
I view it as a sport myself, but I respect others who view is an art, because both opinions are true to some extent.

Do you think freestylers have their own style of clothing/slang phrases etc.?
Yes. Not sure about clothing - it depends.
Slang - yes of course haha. Especially in Russia.

What other subculture do you think its most similar to in relation to the tricks themselves and the community? (eg. skating, graffiti, hip hop dance, bboying)

I agree with Giniu. Footbag - yes - sorta, similar sport imho. Yet the communities are different.

What is the single best thing about Freestyle for you?
There are lot of things I love about it - very hard to say.

Would you consider Freestyle as a source of income?
Yes, I have a freestyle related web-site, where I get money from ads, selling certain stuff like balls, t-shirts etc. Even though my fs experience is very small, back in russia I had a few lps.
I think eventually it may become more profitable for me.

P.S. I hope it's an actual college project - not like you just want us to ask this questions lol

[djalmafreestyler]

When did you start freestyle?
January 2009

How did you find out about it?
Touzani videos then i found palle videos

How often do you train?
4 hours or more everyday but i can't train like this anymore

Why do you like it so much?
first of all i think the tricks for are very beautiful and gaving this control with the ball and doing this amazing tricks is wonderfull, and tit' dun and amazing when you can exchange some combos with your friend.

Is it a sport or an art?
Art because you can create your own tricks and have your own style.

Do you think freestylers have their own style of clothing/slang phrases etc.?
Yes. I' m thinking about to made my own shirt etc...

What other subculture do you think its most similar to in relation to the tricks themselves and the community? (eg. skating, graffiti, hip hop dance, bboying)
Freestyle is alike skate for me , the difference is just the instrument and the sport is more radical.

What is the single best thing about Freestyle for you?
When i land a new trick

Would you consider Freestyle as a source of income?
you can earn some money but i think you can't live with it , maybe not yet

[JonKonik]

The days of expertfootball and NAS in 2006, that is fucking gold.