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