Topic: Monday Slump

[bmtran]

So I learned the rollover a few weeks ago and it quickly took the place of the pull as my main shot. Last week, I worked on my snake every day for quite a few hours and got it down to what I feel is a pretty decent speed; it was in good shape. And then I took off the weekend and my snake is dead slow and inconsistent. I don't know what's wrong. I can't figure it out. I don't want to go through all that effort for all of it to be gone when i come back next week again.

Any ideas on how to retain improvements over a weekend?

PS: I don't have my own table, so I can only play on weekdays at work

[MR.STEVE]

I don`t think you can be cosistant in the short time it took to learn that shot, you might need to take each shot real slow make sure you are standing the same way and not rushing your self..

[bmtran]

Well my shot was pretty consistent, at least I was able to hit just about every hole (except far pull side) accurately and quickly... it was at least enough to beat my coworkers. Now, not so much. But I think I've gotten back most of my shot in the past day just practicing it. It still doesn't feel as snappy and fast as it used to, but I'm sure that by the end of the week it'll be back... before it dies again this weekend.

Also, talking about the snake, should I use wraps? I see videos of everyone using wraps on their handles. The table I play on has hand tool handle paint stuff on it. How do you put the wraps on anyway? They don't really show people putting it on in videos.

[snake eyes]

Couple of different ways to put them on. Start with the square wide end at the first knob on the handle, hold the end of the wrap down with your thumb and roll counter clockwise each time covering half the width of the wrap...when you get to the end of the handle whip out your trusty black rubber keeper (provided with each and every wrap foosball.com sells) and secure it around the skinny end of your wrap. Some guys go from the butt of the handle towards the front. It's whatever you feel comforatable with. And yes you need a good wrap with the Rollover, I suggest the (Lime Green) foosball.com wraps they are nice and tacky with alot of cushion...My 2cents worth.

Snake

[bmtran]

i think i figured out a way to at least avoid the monday slump a little bit: by taking video of myself. i took some video at the end of last week and last night i went over them and i could actually see what i was doing wrong when i went to go do it today. hopefully this will work next week too, hah.

[Will17]

just go to your local sport check and pick up some tennis wraps for 5 bucks if you want. you definately need a wrap to learn how to shoot a rollover good, i have seen a lot of people that have really good rollovers shoot well without wraps too though. I know i couldn't learn a rollover without a wrap and it came pretty quickly when i had them on.

[bmtran]

well, doing research on it online, I found that the general consensus is that doing it without a wrap is less likely to cause injuries... which is a great thing, but it seems like just about everyone who does it fast uses one.

[Will17]

i have never hurt myself or even come close, it hurts your wrist much less with a wrap too because it is softer, don't even bother reading more about it just go get some and try it, it will make your shot much better imediately. i was in your shoes last january and everyone told me this, i went and bought wraps and it is ridiculous the amount of improvement that happens right away. worst case scenario if you don't like your only out a few bucks.

[foozkillah]

have never hurt myself or even come close, it hurts your wrist much less with a wrap too because it is softer, don't even bother reading more about it just go get some and try it, it will make your shot much better imediately. i was in your shoes last january and everyone told me this, i went and bought wraps and it is ridiculous the amount of improvement that happens right away. worst case scenario if you don't like your only out a few bucks.

Wraps are cheap.  For those of you who get self-conscious with friends who don't wrap ..  There's an alternative.  Get a football receiver/runningback gauntlet.  They're made of stretch fabric (lycra?) and have a patented "gripz" surface on the inside that is used to grip or lock a football between the hand and forearm.  Works in the rain and mud.  Lasts a lot longer, nicely padded and with a little 1inch fold, looks like you're just wearing a wristband!  Go to your local KMart, Walmart, Target, etc.. to the youth football equipment section.  Walmart and Targets have them discounted for $5 a pair.  They're tapered and so's the gripz strip, so put the gauntlet on narrow end (reverse) towards your elbow, so you have the widest gripz strip at your wrist.

Now I just bring one gauntlet and put it on before entering any foos venue.  No wrapping? Just get it on!  And if it is a tournament, the gripz REALLY works even better, with a wrap, too!  Keeps your wrist warmed up for a long foosball night, and the fabric protects against overextensions and sprains too.  Wash off stains and oily substances and beer in the washroom.. AND they play as well when WET!

The strip does wear out those thinner wraps... but using only wraps that get sweated up are nowhere near the performance of these hitech patented gripz strips.  Beer, hotwing sauce, mayo ... they are great and one wash and they're back.  Best non-foosball thing for foosball ever invented.. better than wraps.  Especially if you've shot pulls for decades without a wrap... then they still give very good wrist support.  Wanna snake? Palm roll?  Works even better.  And none of that snotty "Oh he's a pro or something...".

[Fastert]

Well my shot was pretty consistent, at least I was able to hit just about every hole (except far pull side) accurately and quickly...

Maybe try to practice one hole for an hour and then swap to another hole so you print the movements and standings for a hole deeper in you muscles and brain, so when you start again on a monday your body feels(= remembers) the wright movements and standings faster...