| The origins of the modern sport of footbag (or | | | | perform a pre-scripted routine involving linking a |
| Hacky Sack) can be seen in many games which | | | | series of tricks together, often to music. The worlds |
| existed in ancient cultures throughout the world. One | | | | best players can put together some incredible |
| of the oldest can be traced back to a game called | | | | sequences which become an almost balletic art form |
| Kemari, documented in Japanese literature around | | | | as well as a competitive sport. |
| 1400 years ago. It was played by noblemen in a flat | | | | The International Footbag Committee (IFC) is the |
| area surrounded by trees and the object of the | | | | body responsible for overseeing international footbag |
| game was to keep a small deerskin ball in the air for | | | | competition and agreeing the rules of the sport (they |
| as long as possible without it touching the ground. In | | | | publish a rule book and update it annually). The |
| Kemari the ball is called the Mari and the one who | | | | International Footbag Players' Association (IFPA) is |
| kicks the ball the Mariashi, it is an extremely athletic | | | | the other large international footbag organisation, |
| activity and requires great flexibility and balance, | | | | they are a non-profit public benefit organization |
| especially if more complicated moves are to be | | | | dedicated to the growth of footbag play world-wide, |
| performed. All parts of the body may be used to | | | | as lifetime recreation and as a competitive sport and |
| keep the Mari in the air except for the arms and | | | | their long-term goal is to have the world-wide sport |
| hands. Kemari is still played today in Japan with the | | | | of footbag become recognized by the International |
| players wearing traditional costumes and often | | | | Olympic Committee and other international amateur |
| watched by large crowds. | | | | sports organisations (quoted from the official website |
| Also still popular in the modern day is Sepak Takraw | | | | of the IFPA). Every year many footbag events take |
| which is played throughout East Asia and is especially | | | | place in countries across the world and competitions |
| popular in Malaysia and Thailand. It uses a larger ball | | | | attract thousands of spectators and competitors. |
| and is often played by two competing players over a | | | | As has been mentioned, freestyle footbag in the |
| net, with players awarded points for getting the | | | | streets is very different from competition footbag. |
| takraw to hit the ground on the opponents side of | | | | There are no winners, making it very easy for people |
| the court. This game was invented by the Malaysian | | | | to pick up and have a go. There are very few other |
| Royal family around 500 years ago and has since | | | | activities where it is normal for complete strangers to |
| spread right across Asia (known in the Philippines as | | | | join in a game and for novices to be welcomed and |
| Sipa, in Burma: Chinlone, in Laos: Kator and in | | | | encouraged to try it out - a basic trick from |
| Indonesia: Raga). | | | | someone who is learning the ropes is applauded just |
| Other similar games that have disappeared over the | | | | as much as an advanced trick from an experienced |
| ages are Tsu Chu (which originated in China and is | | | | player. As someone who has spent many hours in |
| thought to have influenced the development of | | | | the sunshine kicking a little sand filled bag around with |
| Kemari), and a game played by Native American | | | | a circle of friends, I personally have a real love for |
| Indians involving kicking around a small pellet-filled | | | | the game and the things it stands for. Rather than |
| animal hide bag. | | | | being a competitive pastime, freestyle footbag is |
| The modern game of footbag was invented in 1972 | | | | more about group participation and appreciation of |
| by John Stalberger and Mike Marshall of Oregon in | | | | the skills of others. The two main rules are that you |
| the USA. They came up with the name Hacky Sack | | | | must always pass to someone else if you are the |
| but also registered it as a trademark, hence the two | | | | one starting off a game, and that there is no |
| different terms that are used to describe the sport | | | | apologising when the footbag is dropped. Footbag is |
| today (footbag and Hacky Sack). | | | | all about having fun, advancing your skills and showing |
| In its basic form footbag does not have winners, | | | | off your latest tricks. |
| losers, or direct competition between players, making | | | | Footbag is a growing sport, and with such deep roots |
| it somewhat unique among sports. Of course in | | | | in cultures around the globe it is only going to get |
| footbag tournaments a competitive element has to | | | | more popular. The values of respect and |
| be introduced and comes in two forms; footbag net | | | | sportsmanship that go with it are things that will only |
| and footbag freestyle. The first, as the name | | | | benefit the game and the people who play it. |
| suggests, is played by kicking the footbag over a net | | | | Footbag is also a great sport for improving flexibility, |
| in a game with rules similar to volleyball (and Sepak | | | | balance and reactions, and for general fitness, so |
| Takraw). The second allows a player a set amount | | | | grab yourself a hack, get out there, and give it a go. |
| of time (usually a couple of minutes) in which to | | | | |