Footbag

A typical freestyle footbag

Crocheted footbag

A footbag is both a small, round bag, and the term for the various sports played with one - characterized by controlling the bag by using one's feet. Although often referred to generically as a Hacky Sack, that is the trademarked name of one specific brand.

Footbag-like activities have existed for many years. There are documented examples like Wu Style Tai Chi Chuan practice^[1] and policemen are seen playing it using a shuttlecock in the 1955 movie To Catch a Thief, but the current Western incarnation of the sport was invented in 1972 by Mike Marshall and John Stalberger of Oregon City, Oregon^[2] with the Hacky Sack, the rights to which are now owned by Wham-O.

Equipment

For circle kicking, it is very common to use a crocheted footbag, which is usually filled with plastic beads. Casually, footbags are often differentiated as normal (indicating a plastic-pellet filling), or as "dirt bags" or "sand hacks" (indicating a sand filling). Sand hacks are typically considered ideal among casual, beginning, or intermediate players, who use them as a learning tool, as they are easier to control and stall than a crocheted bag filled with plastic pellets.

In the freestyle footbag discipline, a 32 panel bag is the generally accepted standard (the number of panels on commercially available bags can range from 2 to 120 panels). Most professional stitchers use some combination of Plastic Poly Pellets, BB's, steel shot, lead shot, seed bead or even tungsten shot. Bags usually weigh between 40 and 65 grams, depending on the type of filler and amount of filler used. 32 panel bags do not stall as easily as a "dirt bag" or "sand hack," but set truer from the foot, allowing for more complex tricks. Professional footbags are usually made out of the fabrics ultrasuede light, facile, or amaretta. While these bags can last a long time with proper care, they are quite fragile relative to their more common crocheted cousins.

The footbag net discipline uses a distinct bag, characterized by a harder outer surface than other footbags. These bags are not suitable for freestyle, and vice versa.

There are also several novelty products available, including glow in the dark, chain mail, and even flame retardant bags that can be set on fire and played with. The fire footbag has been banned in South Australia.^[3]

A popular variation of Footbag Lacing, as used by some footbag freestyle players

Shoes

Most advanced freestylers wear Adidas Rod Laver tennis shoes, Adidas Clima Cool 1s or lowtop Reebok G-Unit G6s while playing.^{[citation needed]}

The quantum^[4] shoe made by planetfootbag^[5] is the first shoe designed specifically for freestyle footbag and requires no modifications.

Shoe modification

Several shoe modifications are common in freestyle footbag.

In order to make toe stalling easier, many players use special lacing patterns that pull apart the sides of the shoe near the toe area, creating a broad, rimmed platform. Modified lacing is augmented by cutting away the stitching that joins the row of eyelets to the toe. The area that is created by completing these modifications is called a toe box.

Shoes can be further modified for freestyle footbag by removing layers of fabric from the inside, outside, and toe surfaces.^[6] These modifications are advantageous because they allow players to more accurately feel the bag on their foot.

Freestyle footbag

Main article: Freestyle footbag

Freestyle footbag is a sport in which the object is to perform tricks with the bag. The ending position of the footbag on one trick becomes the starting position of the footbag on the next trick. Tricks are created by combining different components between contacts with the bag (contacts can be either stalls or kicks, though stalls are more frequent). Components can be spins, dexterities (using a leg to circle or cross the footbag's path in mid-air), or ducks (letting the footbag pass a few inches above the neck). Contacts are usually on the inside of the foot behind the opposite support leg (Clipper Stall) or on the toe, however many inventive possibilities remain and are used to create an endless list of tricks. A partial list of freestyle footbag tricks can be found at the official Footbag WorldWide Information Service.^[7]

Various styles have developed as the sport has become more popular. Players can choreograph routines to music, alone or in pairs, executing difficult moves in sync with the music—the result is something like a cross between rhythmic gymnastics and figure skating.^[8]

There is an annual footbag world championships held each year. The current freestyle world champion is Milan Benda, of Czech Republic.^[9]

Footbag net

Eric Wulff executing a Roll spike at the 2008 Green Cup, San Francisco, CA

Main article: Footbag net

In footbag net, players (either playing individually or with a partner) volley a footbag back and forth over a five-foot-high net. This game combines elements of tennis, badminton, and volleyball. The court dimensions and layout are similar to those of badminton; the scoring is similar to the old scoring system in volleyball (a player must be serving to score); and serves must be diagonal, as in tennis. Footbag net games can be played to 11 or 15 points, although the winners must win by at least two points. Rallies in footbag net look a lot like volleyball (e.g., bump, set, and spike), with players spiking from an inverted position in mid-air (over the net) and opponents often digging very fast spikes into bumps or sets. Play in footbag net is very similar to Sepak Takraw. However, in footbag net, it is an "upper-body foul" if the footbag touches any part of a player's body above the shin.

Circle kicking

See also: List of circle kick variants

Video of four players circle kicking

Circle kicking is the most common game played with a footbag, and is often what people mean when they use the term "hacky sack". Players stand in a circle and keep the bag moving around the circle, with the goal of keeping the bag from touching the ground. There are a variety of terms used by different groups of players to note when the footbag has been touched by every member of the circle.

Circle kick is generally accompanied by an unwritten set of etiquette guidelines designed to keep the game fun, friendly, and open to everyone including new players. The most basic rule is to respect all other players. Some other general guidelines include picking up the footbag after you drop it or kick it away, rather than having someone else retrieve it; not serving the footbag to yourself; not spitting in the circle; and not hogging the footbag (often called jestering, or the player may be called a hack-hog) and making sure to pass the bag to players who have not gotten it recently. Most circles are very open to new players and will not ostracize anyone for being less coordinated or well practiced than the rest. Some circles have an unwritten rule that there is no apologizing when a person drops the footbag. This guideline is designed to keep the new players from feeling as if it is their fault that the game is slow, and it keeps the experienced players from having to constantly reassure the new players that it is not their fault. Also when and if the "Kicking Circle" gets large to the point that it becomes difficult to get the footbag to the opposite side of the circle (usually around 10 or more players) it is common for a player to give up their place on the outside and move to the center of the circle (Usually a more experienced player will take this position) when this happens the center player is most often referred to as the "Nipple".

Variations on circle kicking are numerous and spontaneously created.

Footbag Games

Basse is an old Norwegian foot bag game reminiscent of bag ball, where a player defends their circle. Usually there are five to six players - where everyone plays against everyone. The aim of the game is for a player to defend their own field whilst attempting to land the Basse inside the field of an opponent. There are World Cup rules, Series Games and Cup Games. Read more about Basse.klenäter

Buce is a game in which players in a team must juggle the footbag across a field to the opponent's half and score a goal, by kicking the footbag into a small, cylindrical container, usually a bin or pot plant.^[10] The sport was invented in Australia in 2007^[11] and is played there with two annual national competitions.

Elimination (also known as, Wackey Sack) was created by a group of students in San Antonio, Texas. The idea of the game is for a player to take out their opponents. Played with two or more people in a normal circle, the hack must be kicked by three different people, then anyone can catch it by hand. Once caught, the hack can be thrown at any opposing player to eliminate them. If the other player is able to catch it, the hack can be throw at any other player, eliminating the other player. Once eliminated, a player must sit out until the next game. When it comes down to two players, they juggle the hack individually. The one with the most hits wins. If necessary, the players may create boundaries or change the number of people that need to hit it before it can be caught in the interest of time, skill, or fun.

Knockout is a game that can be played with any number of players, in which players are eliminated by failure to hit the hack. The hack is passed around randomly to any player, and the goal is to keep it going indefinitely; if the hack lands on the ground near another player who could have hit it (within 2 feet of him/her), that player is eliminated for the failure. If the hack lands drastically out of range of any player, then the player who kicked it out of bounds is eliminated. Some groups can apply a more strict rule where, when the hack drops, any player who lifts their foot off the ground in an attempt to kick it is eliminated.

Shotgun Is a game that can be played with 3 or more players (best played with 4 or more) where the hacky sack must be hit by 2 or more players and then the third person can take a shot at someone else in the circle. When the hack is ready to be shot at someone, it's "loaded". If you are hit with the hacky sack and do not hit it with your foot before it hits the ground, you have one shot on you. If you get 3 shots on you, you are out of the game. If you take a shot to the face, you are instantly out of the game (if you fail to save it before it hits the ground). This is best played with a crochet hack filled with bb's so it's more intense. A game of shotgun can take all night with a big group so plan ahead to have lots of time to complete it. This game is ideal when you have way too many players to play a normal game of hack.

Kill is a game created by a group of players from Mastic, New York, in which you have to hit the sack a certain amount of times then kick it at an opposing player. Once a player gets hit by the sack they are called 'Fish'(As a Fish you are removed from the game unless you Fish back in, in order to do that you have to hit it the set amount of times as for the kills, and you cannot serve or be served unless you fish back in, or until the game ends). If they get killed again while a fish, they are called 'Dead Fish' and cannot play again the next game. To save your self from getting killed, when the sack gets kicked at you, either avoid it or have it bounce it off your body and kick it before it hits the ground, this variation of play can be with any amount of people.

Horse is a game that can be played with any number of players and is a great way to improve one's freestyle. One of the players performs any freestyle move he/she chooses, then passes it on to the next player who then attempts to perform the same move. If he/she performs the move correctly then that player performs a different move of their choice, and then passes it on. If he/she fails to do the move then they get a letter "H"(if they miss again on the next round they get an "O") and passes it on to the next player who chooses a new trick. Once a player spells the word "Horse" they are out.

Kick Back is a game at which a player can kick the footbag against the backstop of a handball court, alone or with others. It needs a very firm footbag to bounce back. A simple score can be kept or not.

Numbers is a game in which players form a circle and the person who starts kicks the hack once. Then the second person kicks it twice and so on and so forth. If the hack touches the ground before the player achieves his/her number the player gets one chance to start where he/she left off. If the player does not achieve his/her number he/she passes the footbag on to the next player, and if he/she achieves that number the previous player is out.

Slaps is a game in which players must keep the hack up for a chosen number of kicks (charges) and slap the hack at someone in the circle when that many kicks has been reached. If a player is hit by this slapped hack then he/she is out of the game. However if the player who has been hit kicks the hack after being hit, or if any other player kicks it, they have saved themselves from the out and may attempt another "kill". Circles may decide for people to have a certain number of lives before being kicked out of the game but it is generally one. Instead of slapping the hack, a variation calls for the player to kick it to the other players once the charge is reached. This variation is commonly known as "Kill." This game is also known as "red dot".

Stripes is a game in which players hack normally but if a member of the circle kicks at the hack and misses, "whiffs", the other players are allowed to hit him/her until he/she picks the hack up off the ground. Similarly if the person self serves everyone in the circle gets to punch him/her. The same applies to catching the hack or using one's hands. Also known as "Red Dot."

Both games can be played at the same time, i.e. playing slaps with stripes and giving "Red Dots" or "Stripes" for the same reasons, but using an out system.

War is a game for any number of players. The footbag is served and after a predetermined amount (usually 3) of kicks (whether by one person, or collectively as a group) everyone tries to catch it. The person who catches the footbag throws it at one of the other players who try to either dodge or catch it. If the footbag hits someone they are out, but if they catch it the person who threw it is out. The game can be played with any number of outs. Also known by the names "Pelt", "Three Balls of Fire", "Three Hit Kill", "Three Hack Wack", "Red Dot", and "God".

The X is a game that can be played with three or more people. The first player to "mess up" the hacking circle becomes the X. They are the X until a different player messes up, then that new player becomes the X. If the X serves it to a player, then that player must catch it. If they play the X's serve, then they become the X. A player may serve it to the X in order to make them mess up again. If someone is already the X and mess up again they get one strike. Once a player receives a strike, it goes back to no one being the X, until a player messes up the circle again. Once a player gets three strikes, they are eliminated. Also known as "the Bitch".

Ladder is a game in which can be played with as many people as desired. All stand in a circle and the first person hits the ball once. The next person has to hit it twice. Third person hits it three times and so on and so forth. The player is allowed two tries. For example, if the player had to hit it 5 times they can hit it 3 the first try and 2 the second try and they stay in. If a person fails to hit it the number of times that they need the next person in the circle has a chance to eliminate them. A player does this by hitting it the number of times the person before them did. This is repeated until all players are out.

The Chomper Stomper is a game created by students in York, England. It calls for players in a circle to keep the ball afloat, as with standard games of circle kicking. However in "The Chomper Stomper", the final player to touch the footbag must perform a "Chodson", or signature trick assigned at the beginning of the game. If the player fails to perform a "Chodson", he must play "Chomper" for the round and stomp around the circle until the footbag is dropped. If everyone completes their own "Chodson", the round is deemed a "Godson".

Footbag world records

The Guinness Book of World Records has recognized footbag consecutives world records since the 1980s. There are several categories of records, all variants of the "consecutives" discipline. The current records are listed below.

• Men's Singles footbag
  • Ted Martin
  • Total kicks: 69,812
  • Total time: 7 hrs. 38 min. 22 sec.
  • Date of record: November 15, 1995
  • Official event: Classic Footbag 1995 (Chicago, Illinois, USA)

• Men's doubles footbag consecutive
  • Rob Stevenson/Mitch Nelson
  • Total kicks: 73,642
  • Total time: 8 hrs. 23 min. 45 sec.
  • Date of record: July 2, 2010
  • Official event: Cornerstone Festival (Chicago, Illinois, USA)

• Women's doubles footbag consecutive
  • Constance Constable/Tricia George
  • Total kicks: 34,543
  • Total time: 5 hrs. 38 min. 22 sec.
  • Date of record: February 18, 1995
  • Official event: Heart of Footbag Freestyle Tournament (Portland, Oregon, USA)

• Open doubles footbag consecutive
  • Tricia George/Gary Lautt
  • Total kicks: 132,011 (previously 123,456)
  • Total time: 20 hrs. 34 min.
  • Date of record: March 21 & 22, 1998
  • Official event: Chico, California, USA

• Open doubles timed ten-minute one pass
  • Tricia George/Paul Vorvick
  • 1,415 kicks in ten minutes
  • Date of record: August 5, 2006
  • Official event: Fun in the Park, Wilsonville, Oregon

• Women's singles consecutive
  • Constance Constable
  • Total kicks: 24,713
  • Total time: 4 hrs. 9 min. 27 secs.
  • Date of record: April 18, 1998
  • Official event: California Athletic Club (Monterey, California, USA)

• Open Singles Consecutive
  • Ted Martin
  • Total kicks: 63,326
  • Total time: 8 hrs. 50 min. 42 sec.
  • Date of record: June 14, 1997
  • Official event: 1997 Midwest Regionals (Chicago, Illinois, USA)

• Open five-minute timed consecutive
  • Andy Linder
  • Total kicks in 5 minutes: 1019
  • Date of record: June 7, 1996
  • Official event: Midwest Regional Footbag Championships (Mt. Prospect, Illinois, USA)

• Women's five-minute timed consecutive
  • Ida Fogle
  • Total kicks in 5 minutes: 804
  • Date of record: August 11, 1997
  • Official event: 1997 World Footbag Championships (Portland, Oregon, USA)

• Largest footbag circle
  • Andy Linder and 945 of his friends
  • Total players: 946
  • Date of record: July 6, 2001
  • Official event: Cornerstone Festival (Bushnell, Illinois, USA)

There is also an unofficial records list for consecutive individual freestyle moves.^[12]

Current footbag champions

Freestyle:

• Open Singles Freestyle - Jan Weber (Czech Republic)
• Open Doubles Freestyle - Martin Sladek (Czech Republic) and Tomas Tucek (Czech Republic)
• Mixed Doubles Freestyle - Tomasz Ostrowski (Poland) and Malgorzata Nycz (Poland)
• Women Singles Freestyle - Jana Sassakova (Czech Republic)
• Open Circle Contest - Milan Benda (Czech Republic)
• Open Shred 30 - Jan Weber (Czech Republic)

Net

• Open Singles Net - Tuomas Kärki (Finland)
• Open Doubles Net - Patrick Schrickel (USA) and Florian Goetze (Germany)
• Women Singles Net - Geneviève Bousquet (Canada)
• Women Doubles Net - Julie Symons (USA) and Jodie Welch (USA)
• Mixed Doubles Net - Jody Welch (USA) and PT Lovern (USA)

See also

• Bean bag
• Chinlone
• Footvolley
• Jianzi
• Kemari
• Keepie Uppie
• List of circle kick variants
• Myachi
• Sepak takraw
• Sipa

References

1. ^ Youtube.com
2. ^ "Mr. Hacky Sack still has footbag skills". Columbian.com. http://columbian.com/article/20090707/SPORTS02/707079952. Retrieved 2009-11-04. 
3. ^ "Flaming Footbag Toy Banned in SA". News.theage.com.au. 2008-06-18. http://news.theage.com.au/national/flaming-footbag-toy-banned-in-sa-20080618-2shn.html. Retrieved 2009-11-04. 
4. ^ Planetfootbag.ch
5. ^ Planetfootbag.com
6. ^ "Rod Laver Modification: Canvas Removal". Footbag.org. http://www.footbag.org/gallery/showset/canvas. Retrieved 2009-11-04. 
7. ^ Footbag.com
8. ^ Footbag.org
9. ^ Footbag.org
10. ^ "Buce- the fast-paced team sport". BuceWiki. http://buce.wikkii.com. Retrieved 2010-01-28. 
11. ^ "History of Buce". Bucewiki. http://buce.wikkii.com/wiki/History_of_Buce#2007. Retrieved 2010-01-28. 
12. ^ Footbag.org

External links

• Footbag WorldWide - non-profit information service for the sport of footbag
• World Footbag Association - founded in May 1983 as the sport's promotional arm and official players' organization
• Dragon Droppings™ - Weatherproof solid metal footbags.
• Fourkast Sports - freestyle footbag webpage and shop
• Shred Global - freestyle footbag webpage and blog
• The Green Cup, annual footbag tournament
• prokicker.ca - Footbag organization diffusing from Canada to the World
• Footbag Belarus
• modified.in - footbag forum
• Official webstite of the World Footbag Champion 2011 - Jan Honza Weber