(DivX, 2.0 meg, 368k)
When: 1996
Where: Scottsdale, Arizona
Who: Dave Lewis
Why: 1996 Arizona States warmups
While warming up for the prelims at the 1996 Arizona States, Dave Lewis did this backroll to a casual spinning gitis.
Where is Donny Rhodes?
Seeing some of the older clips Arthur is posting reminded me of Donny Rhodes. I wondered to myself if any of the newer jammers had even heard of the name Donny Rhodes. He is one of the all time greats in my opinion. In his day he combined style and content better than anyone (I will write more about this later) and I don’t think you could have a top ten list without him on it. His creativity was awe inspiring and motivated me to explore this side of freestyle more than anyone. I remember meeting him in the late 70’s at "The Venice Green" in Los Angeles – at the time "The Venice Green" was a huge Mecca for jammers – and he was just a jammer, nothing spectacular, he had average skills, nice moves and a few combinations. Then met him again 1 year later and the transformation was truly epic. I have never seen anyone grow that much in a year. He was wielding a repertoire of skills that was jaw dropping – spins, form, creativity – he went from good and decided to skip getting better and went straight to being one of the best players in the world in one year. Never seen anything like it. Leg warmers anyone:)
I have 3 candidates who might go "Donny" on us next year in Seattle – Andrea Meola, Piccio Cusma & Fabio Sanna.
See you in Seattle!
Now go Jam!
Rankings – December 2004
The big development in this month’s rankings (open | women) is that there is now more information available. I have added the nationality of the ranked players to the list. It gives an interesting snapshot of the international nature of our sport, and it will also allow players like Lorenzo Apriano to compile country-specific rankings lists using worldwide rankings.
I’m sure there are some mistakes, as I did this mostly from tournament results and memory. Let me know if I got anyone’s country wrong – or three-letter country abbreviations.
Cool Co-ops: More Joey, Laerbs and Peter
(DivX, 2.1 meg, 440k)
When: 1984
Where: La Mirada, California
Who: Joey Hudoklin, Larry Imperiale, Peter Rosing
Why: 1984 US Open freestyle semifinals
It’s hard to describe how in tune a team must be to be to make this co-op work. A triple restriction to Larry’s foot tip, then he closes it out with a gitis.
Winning Moments: 1997 Arizona States
When: 1997
Where: Scottsdale, Arizona
Who: Arthur Coddington, Dave Murphy
Why: Arizona States – Freestyle Final
In 1997, Arthur Coddington and Dave Murphy played Pairs together while Dave Lewis recovered from a pesky neck injury. Their “Sweet Emotion” routine was runner-up to Schiller/Silvey’s “Jet” routine at the 1997FPAW. After the worlds, Coddington and Murphy took their show on the road and won some redemption with this title-winning performance at the Arizona States.
Cool Co-ops: Joey, Laerbs and Peter
Big Moves: Jim Benson Spinnning Twisto
(DivX, 2.2 meg, 484k)
When: 1986
Where: Fort Collins, Colorado
Who: Jim Benson
Why: 1986 FPA Worlds Open Pairs Final
Jim Benson and Deaton Mitchell went dropless in this routine to win their fourth Open Pairs title in a row. It was an epic battle between their controlled style and an aggressive shred routine by Joey Hudoklin and Crazy John Brooks. What got forgotten was that within the control, intricate co-ops and droplessness was serious difficulty. This combo is one example. A twisto set to a spinning pull, ending in an oliver catch.
Big Moves: A Joey Bail
(DivX, 1.8 meg, 400k)
When: 1986
Where: La Mirada, California
Who: Joey Hudoklin
Why: 1986 US Open Freestyle Final
One of the reasons Joey’s game makes a statement is that he pushes things as far as they can go, but no further. At his best, he doesn’t press. This combo is a perfect example. He starts the combo in one direction, and it doesn’t work. The disc hits his leg and he saves it. Other players might try to push on in the same direction, continuing the combo they wanted, not the combo that was there. So he starts over. He “bails,” except his bail is bigger than the original combo.
Big Moves: Chip Bell Gitosis
(DivX, 3.6 meg, 1.1 meg)
When: 1986
Where: La Mirada, California
Who: Chip Bell
Why: 1986 US Open Freestyle Final
The Bud Light team got second place at the US Open – too many drops to be in contention for the title – but their routine included a ton of classic co-ops and individual moves. In this clip, Chip Bell chases down a long throw by Crazy John Brooks, then does a double legover to a double over down, then closes things out with a huge extended gitosis just feet from the crowd.
Big Moves: Jim Benson
(DivX, 941k)
When: around 1986
Where: looks like Fort Collins, Colorado
Who: Jim Benson aka Jim Schmal
Huge combo by Jim Benson ending in a restricted set to a double spinning standing gitis.