With school almost over and spring in full swing, Amador students are spending time outdoors now more than ever. It’s hard to miss them. On every corner of campus, a group of students gathers in a circle tossing around a mini bean bag with their feet.
“I started playing about six months ago. I love playing because you get this kind of dopamine rush; I play six hours a day. It’s eat, sleep, sack, repeat,” said Jacob Darby (‘29).
History of Culture
Hacky Sacking was a national phenomenon that was invented in 1972 in Oregon City. It was originally made as a therapeutic tool to help rehabilitate a college football knee injury. But it became widely popularized in the 1980s and now a Gen Z social media trend.
“I started playing a couple of weeks ago; I love playing because it just brings people together to just have a good time. I play every day at school,” said Molly Weiss (‘29).
Social Media Fuels Comeback
Recently, a resurgence of Hacky Sacking has taken social media by storm, inspiring students to try the activity as they see more of their peers playing it. Students are increasingly engaging in the game, such as during lunch or during access.
“The game usually goes on however long it needs to. Like if it’s during lunch, it’s like, goes till the end of lunch. If it’s like during a period, it goes to the end of the period,” said Connor Atkinson (‘29).
Skills & Strategies
The game is played with a small round beanbag filled with sand or beads. Players stand in a circle and work together to keep the footbag in the air using only their feet, knees, chest, and head.
“[While playing] I never know what’s going to happen next, and then doing fun tricks also makes the game more exciting. Being good at it requires good hand eye coordination, foot eye coordination, and those types of skills,” said Weiss.
The game’s mechanics are inspired by ancient foot-juggling games, in Native American and Asian traditions. Originally the design included a square denim bag filled with uncooked rise. It later evolved into the classic round, cowhide-leather style.
