BailongBall Forms – an Example, Part 1

In this series of blogs, we introduce you to BailongBall Forms. After having launched respective series on the disciplines of Multiplay and Freestyle, this series covering the discipline Forms, aims to complete your picture of our sport. The series breaks down a particular BailongBall Form into several parts. In each part, we show you round about two elements. At the end of the last part, you will have covered the Form and you will pick up tips and tricks while progressing from one part to the next.

But before we get started, let us shed some light on what a BailongBall Form is all about. Like with the other two disciplines, you can practice alone or with others. Like with Multiplay, a Form features a certain repertoire of moves, actually elements, to perform. While Multiplay moves are finite (after all, there are only so many techniques of playing a ball to your partner), Forms strech possibilities much further into your realm of imagination. Much like Freestyle, you move the ball with your rackets, to the music. Unlike Freestyle, however, your moves are precisely predefined and often meticulously “timed”. It is a bit like ice skating – you can play ice hockey (Multiplay) or perform figure skating with free elements (Freestyle) and compulsory elements (Form).

Of course, there are many other BailongBall Forms you can practice. Every Form has its unique highlights, different focus and even particular style. This one is just an example and it cannot be respresentative for all the others. However, it features many elements, that you will also find in other Forms. But without further ado, let us get started. The first elements you will learn, are the preparatory element and a version of the “mirror”.

The preparatory element is to get yourself ready and to set the stage for the Form. Remember though, you are following a script and every move is linked to a plan. We will show you different camera perspectives, including leg and footwork, to make this plan easier to follow. Here we go:

Preparatory element

Front view:

Rear view:

Footwork:

Some tips:

• Lower your body and bend your knees a little
• Maintain this “lowered stance” – it supports your balance and helps shifting the weight to your hind leg
• When shifting your weight to your hind leg, your head, belly button and the heel of your hind leg form one straight line – both sides of your hip are level (no side is lowered)

“The Mirror”

Front view:

Rear view:

Footwork:

Some tips:

• Both arms are in parallel and “draw” a big circle in front of your body
• The circle affects the entire body – knees, hips, etc.
• The racket turns around the ball at its highest point, to keep the ball on the racket

Interested how this continues? Here is a sneak preview of what is coming in the next part:

Join us and “form up” 🙂

Olga Ardasheva
BailongBall Instructor