The rules of traditional hacky sacking are rather simple, don’t let it hit the floor. Players can use any body part except their hands and arms. You can kick, head, or knee the sack to keep it up. Members of the circle also can briefly “stall” the hacky sack on their foot before flicking it back in the air. There is no rule for how long a player can perform this trick, but it’s an unwritten rule not to abuse the act.
Hacky sacking first saw a rise in popularity at Oakmont because of COVID. During mask breaks, students found a way to feel connected while remaining distanced. Classmates could socialize and play a fun game while remaining safe and distanced. As mask breaks are over, students continue the trend onto their ten-minute breaks. Groups as big as 20 students can be found at the bottom of the stairs playing a game of “slap”.
Another game that uses a hacky sack called “Slap” is more a competitive individual game rather than a laid-back group hobby.
Oakmont Senior, Harris Fagan, describes slaps as a regular hacky sack game. However, after the third hit players can spike the ball with their hands, if the sack hits the player and they do not catch it they are out.
How can I hit the hacky sack properly? There are 3 main areas on your foot that you aim to make contact with. The easiest is the flat spot on the inside of your foot. Since there is not much twist while your foot is in this position it is easy to keep the sack from going to the left or the right. Another method is to hit with the toe box of your shoe; I would only use this to position the sack so you can pass it to a teammate. A trick when hitting with the top of your foot is the more that you curl your toes the closer the bag will stay to you. Finally, as a last resort players may kick the ball with the outside of their foot if the ball was to fly behind them. With any style of hitting it is important to strike the ball in an upward direction and a flat part of your foot.
Hockey players are often seen circled up pregame kicking sacks around. Why do they do this? Well, you might be thinking, hockey players don’t need their feet, don’t you shoot with your hands? While you are not wrong, footwork and foot-eye coordination play a huge role in a player’s ability to skate. According to voyagerhockey, players must have elite footwork to skate between small places and maneuver their bodies around the defense. Hacky Sack is also a good way to get your muscles warm and build team morale. Sophomore Hockey player, Cole Allaire, says that his team often would warm up with a game of hacky sack and he seems to think that it helped.
Whether you’re a Millennial who grew up playing hacky sack, or a 2000s baby who has no idea what this peculiar hobby is; the next time you’re with your friends try picking up the sack, you might surprise yourself.
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