"Footbag Dance" FREE online - Page 5 of 12
A basic beginner's instruction book on kicking a footbag in the Bloughchi style
By Danceman Steve Blough ® published in 1984, online since 1996.
 Chapter 2
The Stance
The stance is very basic and very important. It is done by assuming a
relaxed and upright posture. Your feet should be about 15 inches apart and most
important of all, your knees should be slightly bent. This stance enables you
to lift either the right or left leg and at the same time maintain your balance.
Once one's leg is lifted, the other becomes the support leg, and is always thus
no matter what kick is being executed.
I will stress the stance throughout. It may sound repetitious but it is
crucial, and must be remembered. If bad habits are formed in the beginning
stages, breaking them in the later stages is most difficult.
Other Pointers
Performing the inside front kick requires the foot to be raised in a
sideways position, (Illustration C), upward to the inside of the body, carefully
watching the footbag at all times. The meeting of the footbag, that is, the
height of your kick, is arbitrary to the individual. Ideally you will want to
meet the footbag as low as possible; just be comfortable in the process. The
impact of your kick should be on the center of the instep (Illustration D).
Try to relax as much as possible. This posture will cause your arm
movements to be automatic and very graceful. Whether the inside kick be right
or left-footed the corresponding hand will have a tendency to roll over to a
palm-up position. (Illustration E)
Try to relax and let these movements happen in a very natural manner.
This is the beginning motion of Footbag Dance. Beginning kickers seem to be
sensitive to the awkwardness of this motion. Awkwardness is your own...you will
get over it. Enjoy the moment and know that what you are doing for your body
and mind is healthy and invigorating and you will be rewarded as time moves on.
You can practice the front kick by holding the footbag about chest high
and dropping it to yourself. At first you may repeatedly kick it off to one
side or the other. The problem, most likely, is that you're not putting your
foot under the footbag. Practice until you find smooth repetition with the
kick. Above all do not favor one leg or the other. Balance it out! The inside
front kick -- left and right -- is only a setting kick. I would suggest to not
get too involved with this kick at first. You will come across many
illustrations as you move along through this book. Study them closely, and by
all means refer back to them as much as needed.
 
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