Hacky Sack: The Group Activity That's Just as Fun Solo

Hacky sack is not just for hippies. I am nowhere close to a hippy and I think hacky sack is an awesome hobby. The best part about it is that it requires very little equipment, in that you only have to have a footbag or hacky sack, and you anyone can do it (as long as you have legs). Hacky sack is really a great activity, and believe it or not it's an aerobic workout. Sometimes if you're are playing with a group of people it can get a little physical but nothing major, and it's always fun.

A hacky sack also called a "hacky" or "hack," is actually the brand name of the small ball that you play with. The generic name of a Hacky sack is "footbag." There is actually a difference in hacky sacks and footbags. Not all footbags are hacky sacks in the technical sense.

Hacky Sacks

Hacky sacks come in all different sizes but usually are about 2-3 inches across. They are very strong and will last a long time, but they won't last forever. I have had a many of hacky sacks retired, or lost for that matter. If you can keep them in site, there is no problem with washing the things and they'll last a while. A couple of things you shouldn't do is intentionally run over them whether it be a bike, a car, or anything else. You should also avoid jumping or stomping on your hacky. Perhaps the most durable type of hacky is hemp, as it really takes a lot to rip or stretch it out.

Hacky Sack Designs

Hacky sacks come in a whole bunch of different designs like the classic eight ball or smiley face. There are a series of mushroom inspired hacks that come in an array of different colors and patterns all incorporating the mushroom into the design at some point. The design is woven into the fabric, which is usually a solid color of natural hemp or dyed cotton.

Freestyle Hacky

Freestyle hacky is perhaps the most popular form of hacky sack. It is way more common to play freestyle hacky, and this style is commonly what someone means when they ask you if you "wanna hack for a little bit." With freestyle you can practice by yourself, with a partner, or even a group of avid hackyers. Players who do freestyle hacky show off their skills by performing a series of tricks. Freestyle hacky sack is not really that competitive, but can become so if two hackyers are performing routines to show who has more skills. Some hacky sacks or footbags are better for freestyle. For freestyle it's better to use a looser bag, commonly filled with beads or sand which makes it easier to perform delay tricks (catching and holding the hacky on your foot, head, knee, etc.) or other individual moves.

Formal Footbag

The game of hacky sack or footbag also comes in a more structured form. Usually in this form a circle of people compete not only with each other but with gravity as well. The purpose is to keep the hack in the air for as long as possible through use of any body part except the hands and arms. A game is usually played to a scored of either 11 or 15 points depending on the rules.

Most people think hacky sack is just a game hippies play instead of doing anything productive. This is the case a lot the time, but it's not entirely. There are actual competitive hacky sacks leagues who have serious rules and regulation kept in check by the International Footbag Committee. Games such as footbag net are extremely popular; sort of like volleyball, team members use their feet to move the hacky back and forth across a net that is five foot high.

Whether you are the real competitive type or just like to hack, either way you'll have fun. I've found that freestyle hacky sack is a great way to make friends as would-be passer byes tend to join in in the circle. This is a fun time, but just be sure that if your hacky, you keep tabs on it at the end of the game!