The Torch

Issue date: 2/4/10 Section: Sports

Media Credit: James Anderson Ryan Rosenbaum delivered a well-timed outside kick that pops the footbag straight up. The kick allowed him to keep it in play [Click to enlarge]

If endless practices followed by strength training and rigorous dieting aren't for you, but you like the idea of a fun easy game that offers a light cardio workout, try hacky sack.

Hacky sack is a game where players try to keep a footbag in play by kicking it and keeping their hands off of it.

Jeremy Witson has hacked for years and just recently got back into it. "It keeps me from becoming old and crippled," he said. "I worked a lot of manual labor jobs and my legs paid the price. Kicking the bag allows me time to stretch the muscles."

Hacking has gained notoriety and a near cult-like following since its creation by John Stalberger and Mike Marshall from Oregon City, Ore. in 1972. Stalberger was recovering from knee surgery and found Marshall kicking a handmade beanbag. Together, the two created a game that they agreed to call hacky sack.

The International Footbag Players' Association was formed to help promote competitive amateur play. The IFPA cover various types of play including footbag net and freestyle footbag where players create routines that utilize music as a key component.

With only four basic moves, hacking is easy to pick up and highly addictive. The inside kick is the easiest of the four to learn and can be done by almost anyone. While standing, players hold their hand palm down between their legs, bring the side of their foot up and kick their hand. People who do this simple exercise are well on the way to fun and relaxation.

As with a lot of physical activities, skills will develop as muscles gain memory. The outside kick is the second move and a bit tougher. By placing their hand at their side, palm down again, and trying to kick their palm, players can get a general feel of the movement involved. The knee shouldn't move all that much.

Next, there's the knee kick. By imagining oneself high stepping and bringing their knee up to meet the footbag, a player can pop the hacky sack straight up. This is a great move to keep the sack in play, but don't try to pass with your knee. More often than not, a knee pass puts the footbag on the ground.

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