Interesting topic about the fun element of freestyle

[AstaMace]

I may be incorrect.

To me it seems the just for fun, laid-back, friendly sessions that once existed, where one freestyler selflessly congratulated another and both enjoyed each-others creative tricks, those sessions with music, laughter, banter and overall fun is disappearing, it may just be me who's seeing this.

Do not get me wrong - I'm all for personal improvement and making freestyle the best it can be and am all for these hardcore competitive scene nowadays but (and bare in mind this is only my opinion and not a statement) I feel freestyle has turned into on big competition, people trying to be the best, with a lot of hatred, people trying to make money from it and selfishness. I used to go to a meeting and it'd be chilled out, social and people would motivate each other, you'd make friends, perform, it'd just be such a good feeling and most importantly you'd improve.

Now I turn up to a session and you almost have groups of people, everyone for themselves. The advanced hardcore fsers doing hardcore lower combos and the upper fsers doing uppers and creatives with creatives and beginners with beginners. i don't see beginner freestylers having a session with top 10 freestylers or beginners getting encouragement from higher level fsers everyone has a label and stays within that group it seems. It's almost like for example - a freestyler will go to a meeting for their own selfish satisfaction - many bring cameras with them nowadays and they record good clips and once they have those clips they go home happy they have clips to make a vid.

Don't get me wrong freestyle is still incredibly fun and advancing a lot, people are loving meetings and travelling the world but i feel there are a few downsides. This is not a rant at all this is just an interesting idea i thought of, maybe some people prefer the scene to be competitive, i can see the fun in that also.

Anyway this is just one point of view, it is interesting and open for discussion, any opposing views are welcome. Was bored so thought i'd start something so people could contribute. Peace out ppl xxx

[Olly NZ Frestyle]

Interesting topic, i have a similar view.
I recently uploaded a video, my style is creative/block. I had a lot of hate on the video from people in the FS community. I feel there is so much pressure to do these air combos. I have respect for every style and enjoy it, but over the last few years i have watched freestyle evolve from an art form to a competitive sport. People so focused on landing the next big trick, the style has gone. When people ask me what Freestyle is, i say its an art form of self expression, i love to mix dance and love to FS to music and try tricks out.I really love it, but there is so much hatred within the community now, i do not like to come to the forums often anymore as they are not discussions but more arguments. I just wish everyone could respect each other styles and level of ability.

I couldn't agree more about the point about beginners not being able to FS with advanced, it really seems that way, and its sad that is the way freestyle has evolved. I love to help beginners and love to teach and share my passion with others. Anyway, maybe i am wrong.. but i have been thinking about this a lot recently.

Respect to all, peace

[AstaMace]

Interesting topic, i have a similar view.
I recently uploaded a video, my style is creative/block. I had a lot of hate on the video from people in the FS community. I feel there is so much pressure to do these air combos. I have respect for every style and enjoy it, but over the last few years i have watched freestyle evolve from an art form to a competitive sport. People so focused on landing the next big trick, the style has gone. When people ask me what Freestyle is, i say its an art form of self expression, i love to mix dance and love to FS to music and try tricks out.I really love it, but there is so much hatred within the community now, i do not like to come to the forums often anymore as they are not discussions but more arguments. I just wish everyone could respect each other styles and level of ability.

I couldn't agree more about the point about beginners not being able to FS with advanced, it really seems that way, and its sad that is the way freestyle has evolved. I love to help beginners and love to teach and share my passion with others. Anyway, maybe i am wrong.. but i have been thinking about this a lot recently.

Respect to all, peace

This is precisely what i'm trying to express Olly. Anyway i'm going to look at these point of views that me and you have as a positive - because we will carry on enjoying freestyle for what it is - just plain and simple FreeStyle.

[Kako]

is a good point. I think the freestyle is based on himself overcome day to day, not trying to be the best
would give a better answer on this, but my English is very limited
haha

[redsforlife]

The whole thing is freestyle is supposed to be something you do for yourself, not to prove anything to anyone else. None of us are required to like anyone's videos. This doesn't give you the right or mean you need to criticize others videos for not being a style you like. I honestly probably dislike over half the videos I see, but I normally just watch the video and move onto the next one. I don't understand  any of these cliches that have come in the freestyle scene. The scene isn't big enough for these cliches. Separation into different groups and hatred towards others will only help to make the freestyle scene disappear.

[gufreestyle96]

Oh, what a coincidence, I have a similar opnion Asta Mace
I may be incorrect.

To me it seems the just for fun, laid-back, friendly sessions that once existed, where one freestyler selflessly congratulated another and both enjoyed each-others creative tricks, those sessions with music, laughter, banter and overall fun is disappearing, it may just be me who's seeing this.

Do not get me wrong - I'm all for personal improvement and making freestyle the best it can be and am all for these hardcore competitive scene nowadays but (and bare in mind this is only my opinion and not a statement) I feel freestyle has turned into on big competition, people trying to be the best, with a lot of hatred, people trying to make money from it and selfishness. I used to go to a meeting and it'd be chilled out, social and people would motivate each other, you'd make friends, perform, it'd just be such a good feeling and most importantly you'd improve.

Now I turn up to a session and you almost have groups of people, everyone for themselves. The advanced hardcore fsers doing hardcore lower combos and the upper fsers doing uppers and creatives with creatives and beginners with beginners. i don't see beginner freestylers having a session with top 10 freestylers or beginners getting encouragement from higher level fsers everyone has a label and stays within that group it seems. It's almost like for example - a freestyler will go to a meeting for their own selfish satisfaction - many bring cameras with them nowadays and they record good clips and once they have those clips they go home happy they have clips to make a vid.

Don't get me wrong freestyle is still incredibly fun and advancing a lot, people are loving meetings and travelling the world but i feel there are a few downsides. This is not a rant at all this is just an interesting idea i thought of, maybe some people prefer the scene to be competitive, i can see the fun in that also.

Anyway this is just one point of view, it is interesting and open for discussion, any opposing views are welcome. Was bored so thought i'd start something so people could contribute. Peace out ppl xxx

[jabarinho]

Freestyle has so many different styles etc it is natural for there to be disagreements. Also many freestylers are very passionate about the sport, so emotions get high and arguments happen. Freestylers are people. You get this in any community.

Also, for some fsers, it is their job. Making money is not bad. Especially if you invested a lot of time, energy and money into it.

For competitiveness, there is nothing wrong with competition. It is a fun way for some people to improve. I do not believe this has any negative effect on the freestyle scene.

Anyway the fs scene is still mostly friendly and laid-back. Look at the small facebook groups and small national forums. Even the international forums are cool........most of the time

Focus on the positive parts. Don't let a few haters and a few small arguments make freestyle seem bad.

[AstaMace]

Freestyle has so many different styles etc it is natural for there to be disagreements. Also many freestylers are very passionate about the sport, so emotions get high and arguments happen. Freestylers are people. You get this in any community.

Also, for some fsers, it is their job. Making money is not bad. Especially if you invested a lot of time, energy and money into it.

For competitiveness, there is nothing wrong with competition. It is a fun way for some people to improve. I do not believe this has any negative effect on the freestyle scene.

Anyway the fs scene is still mostly friendly and laid-back. Look at the small facebook groups and small national forums. Even the international forums are cool........most of the time

Focus on the positive parts. Don't let a few haters and a few small arguments make freestyle seem bad.

I agree with your point and you back your points up really well.

I can understand what you mean, money is important specially for those who are pro athletes and it's their bread and butter.
As for the competitiveness - 'Do not get me wrong - I'm all for personal improvement and making freestyle the best it can be'. What i meant by this is exactly that competition is important and is the element that gives fs momentum.

What i'm trying to express is slightly different and has more to do with labelling and selfishness. But just like you said freestylers are human and this is human nature. But i would definately like the scene to be more respectful towards ALL styles and levels.

[dunnowhois]

Hahaha :D
It's about what I was saying on l2f. Almost nobody from masters are going to help any beginners in their own countries. Exceptions are Russia, Brazil and, possibly, Argentina. All the others think if they're champions, it's gonna be enough motivation for beginners to grow up doing freestyle. That's the reason why many countries don't have next generation of their freestyle history.

About competitive part - yea, I'm with it. I think that each sport (and I count freestyle as a sport) must be as competition, where all freestylers can take motivation from: their friends pro-freestylers to get better than them exactly; freestyle show-groups, who sometimes earn some money, to be the same like they are; respected persons in freestyle community, whose opinion is always important for everybody, including just come beginners.
I don't likie mixing freestyle with anything else, I would also hate this video, NZ, if I watched it. I don't like when people try to make this dance-style more popular, beside the thing they've been training it already.


About topic name - if you want to use "fun" for freestyle, then it should be for cases when you've finally achieved something, not laughing with another freetyler on the meeting or chilling out from your problems doing freestyle.