Poland’s Bocian won our first contest with an amazing new roll move.  I took a minute to find out more about the creator of this amazing move:

Snake says:

First of all I’d like to thank you for taking the time to do the interview and for participating in the freestyle central move contest, and of course congratulate you on winning

Bocian says:

Thanks, it was fun…it’s all about fun, right?

Snake says:

First of all could you tell is a bit about yourself and how you got started freestyling?

Bocian says:

Oh, in the beginning there was a fascination of AND1…I tried to play basketball with tricks. But when I got better and better in game and in tricks I realized that it would be better to separate those 2 things. It’s all because too many players didn’t tolerate this type of basketball. So there was no fun. Than I saw some freestyle clips for the first time. And since that day I’m freestyling

Bocian says:

I don’t remember who’s free was the first for me, but I remember some freestylers…for sure there was Ghost and later Tommy Baker…

Snake says:

OK.  And you’re currently part of the Polish freestyle crew SPC right?  Can you tell us what that crew is all about?

Bocian says:

Yes, at first I was doing freestyle shows with some people, but not as SPC…there wasn’t any official crew…and 2 years ago when we had to do a show at the Triobasket 2008 tournament organizers told us that we have to get a name. So this name was a fast decision. And after that show we are acting as SPC. Now we have about 6 official members and some people that are sometimes doing shows with us.

Snake says:

OK, and who are the official members?

Bocian says:

For now ?au (aka Wow), 4Eyed, Ariel, Bart, Sylwia and me

Bocian says:

I’m not sure if you know them all

Snake says:

OK

Snake says:

So tell us about the move that you won the contest with.  How did you come up with it?  Where did you get the idea?

Bocian says:

For the last moment I didn’t know if I would record anything. But some people told me that I should try so I went to the court with my man ?au and after few minutes I came up with idea. I think it was luck. I’m not good at inventing new tricks just when I want. Usually ideas decide when they want to be invented, not me. But I’m happy I made it.

Snake says:

Your style as a freestyler seems to incorporate many different styles such as the Japanese style, flow freestyle, and spinning tricks, but when you freestyle these elements don’t seem like separate parts, but rather combined as one new style.  Was this something you decided to do or did it just happen naturally for you?

Bocian says:

I think both ways are true…at the beginning when I couldn’t do everything clear I was doing just tricks…flow freestyle was taken from basketball…and spin was something like a filler. I wanted to do both things, but after some practice those things connected naturally. And about 2 years ago I saw the Asian style for the first time. It was something new to me. It was not only a freestyle, it was more like dancing. In this style you have to put all your moves into one constant move…You can feel it better, but it’s just my opinion. However when I was trying and trying my style had changed. Every time I was trying new styles they affected my old style

Snake says:

What freestylers influenced your current style the most?

Bocian says:

Let’s see…I think Shiro and guys from Ball Rocking Crew (Hero and Show5)

Snake says:

Who are some of the newer freestylers that you like right now?

Bocian says:

I really like 4Eyed’s freestyle because of the progress he makes…and N-Tray for his style

Snake says:

What are some of your goals with freestyle? Is there anything you’d like to accomplish in terms of your ability or maybe doing certain projects or events?

Bocian says:

For now I just want to freestyle and improve my style for myself…Just because I like it. Of course there will be some shows or contests, but it’s now on the first place. I just want to feel good with it. Just like I said earlier, it’s all about fun. And I think I won’t release clips for some time

Snake says:

Why is that?

Bocian says:

Because I want to make big progress…I want my next clip something different than the last one. Like two parts of a movie…same character, different stories.  I realized that if you release clips too often, you won’t surprise anyone. People don’t have to agree but it’s my own point of view

Snake says:

I see.  Well I think that’s all I have for questions.  Is there anything else you’d like to say?  

Bocian says:

   I just have some advice for all new freestylers.  You have to remember why you are freestyling.  The most important thing is that it has to be a pleasure for you.  It has to be fun.  Then everything will be much easier.