How to Buy a Hacky Sack

Hacky sack, or footbag, is an American phenomenon first introduced in the 1970s. The purpose is to keep the footbag in the air by only touching with the knee or below the knee. While freestyle is the most popular type of play, hacky sack has grown into a competitive sport with tournament play as well.

Instructions

1. Consider how you want to use a hacky sack. Freestyle play involves a few people standing in a circle, passing the hacky sack and performing tricks. It and individual play often work better with looser footbags. Tournament players who pass over a 5-foot high net often choose a harder bag that travels longer distances.

2. Discover the many types of footbags. While a traditional 32-panel vinyl or leather bag is filled with little beads, you can also find cloth bags filled with other materials. A popular hacky sack is the brightly colored, crocheted Guatemalan footbag.

3. Look for hacky sacks under many names, including footbag, dirt bag or sand bag. Sometimes the name refers to the material inside the bag.

4. Decide how much you want to pay for a hacky sack. You can find bags at sporting goods and toy stores for under $5. You can also order professional quality footbags online from the World Footbag Association's online catalog for $20 or more.

5. Check for footbag clubs in your area. Talk to the players about the different kinds of bags. Perhaps club members will offer to let you try out the different types.

6. Think about the construction of the hacky sack. Cloth and vinyl ones can rip, while a hemp hacky sack is the sturdiest. Additionally, sand filled bags are harder on the foot, while bags filled with plastic beads tend to get looser over time.

Tips & Warnings

• The term "Hacky Sack®" is actually the registered trademark for footbags made by Wham-O, Inc. However it has become popular to call any footbag and the game or sport itself "hacky sack."

• As long as bags stand up to repeated kicks, worn footbags work best for freestyle play.

• The International Footbag Players' Association, Inc. monitors and promotes the sport of footbag or hacky sack.