The Hacky Sack was invented in 1972 when John Stalberger met Mike Marshall and observed him kicking around a handmade beanbag. Stalberger believed the beanbag would be beneficial as physical therapy for his football-injured knee and began using it. The two created a game called Hack the Sack in which they kicked the beanbag back and forth without it hitting the ground.
Seeing the potential appeal of the game, they trademarked the name "Hacky Sack" and began marketing the toy across the United States. Marshall died of a heart attack in 1975 at the age of 28 but Stalberger moved forward and formed the National Hacky Sack Association which established official rules and helped to control the growth of the fledgling sport. In 1983, Stalberger sold the rights to the Hacky Sack to the Wham-o Manufacturing Company and the popularity of the toy exploded.
Aided by the National Hacky Sack
Association, the game evolved into an official sport
called footbag. Combining elements of volleyball, tennis
and badminton, players attempted to kick the ball back
and forth over a five-foot high net. A variation of
the original concept of Hacky Sack (which many called
Freestyle Footbag) remained popular as performers kicked
the ball in the air accompanied by background music
and choreographed different tricks and maneuvers. An
official rules committee has been developed (the International
Footbag Committee) to govern the competitive sport.
As players of Hacky Sack attempt to keep the ball off
the ground by using their knees and feet, certain competitions
are held to see who can do so the best. The world record
holder for consecutive "kicks," kicked the
sack 63,326 in eight hours, fifty minutes and forty
two seconds on June 14, 1997. Hacky Sack competitions
continue as does the game's popularity. Perhaps its
acclaim is due to the comedy that accompanies the attempts
to keep the small beanbag in the air, or perhaps it
is just another pleasurable way to waste away the day.
