When presented with the term ‘freestyling,’ one’s mind might jump to a liberal hairstyle or a common swimming stroke. However, for junior Francisco Ascencio, freestyling is a way of life. All he needs is a ball.

Ascencio describes freestyling as a form of breakdancing with a soccer ball, kicking it about while performing awe-inspiring moves to express emotion. Instead of a sport, Ascencio said freestyling is a ‘spart’: a combination of a sport and an art.

“Although freestyling is a recent activity that has only become big around ten years ago, it has changed my life,” Ascencio said. “I started the Robinson Freestyle Football Club so I could change the lives of others as well by teaching them the skills.”

Ascencio approached security assistant Brandon Ward to host the Freestyle Football Club in early December because he wanted to spread the ‘spart’ locally. Ward said he jumped at the opportunity because he enjoyed the concept of freestyling.

“Freestyling is a new, unique idea the school hasn’t had a club for in the past,” Ward said. “I also have an interest in what the club has to offer because it is soccer-related, and I love the sport.”

Because the club has generated more student interest over the past month, Ascencio said he has to teach a wider variety of people, each with different abilities.

“Usually, I put the club members into groups and teach them tricks appropriate for their level, every Friday afternoon” Ascencio said. “Sometimes, my friend, Chris Buruss stops by to teach with me. He’s one of the top three freestylers in the country, so we’re able to combine our talents to teach a lot of material in just half an hour.”

Ascencio said the competition friends like Buruss provide motivates him to improve his freestyling.

“I feel like I’m good, but he’s better, so I’m going to try and become as good as him by the end of the year; that would be good,” Ascencio said.

Freshman Amelia Jindra has participated in the Freestyle Football Club since its first meeting because she is good friends with Francisco, who issued her an invitation.

“Francisco makes freestyling look easy; he’s a good teacher, and makes the club a lot of fun,” Jindra said. “It’s really a challenge, and I’m up for that.Jindra said, although she would rate her freestyling skills a three on a scale of one to 10, she is still eager to continue the enjoyment she finds in the club.

Junior David Rosales said he is a poor freestyler since he only joined the club recently, but looks forward to developing his skills through Ascencio’s lessons.

Rosales said, “By the time Francisco is done teaching me, I want people to be afraid of how good I am at freestyling.”

With Ascencio as his teacher, Rosales is confident that, eventually, people will be.