You may have noticed it. During lunch in the courtyard. After school on the turf. At sporting events, in backyards, virtually everywhere, you’re seeing it. We’re talking, of course, about hacky sack.
Hacky sacking, once popular among teens and young adults of the ‘80s and ‘90s, involves kicking a ball in a circle. To start, one player tosses the ball onto the chest of another player, who then kicks the ball to the next. If a player drops the ball, they are out, and the last person standing wins. Some people “make up” their own rules to make the game more interesting. However, after its large following in the late 20th century, the game has since gone out of style. But recently, after gaining popularity largely through social media, hacky sack is “trending” yet again.
After the enactment of a bell-to-bell phone ban this September, Nanuet students argue that the “old-school vibes” imposed by the absence of cellular devices has created a perfect atmosphere for the return of the humble hacky sack.
“We’re trend hopping through the olden age,” claims junior Bhavesh Patro.
Although some adults might be offended by their high school years being referred to as an “olden age,” they are also excited to see the game’s resurgence.
“I’m glad it’s made a return,” commented Mr. Salerno. “That was a very big part of my adolescence.”
He recalls fond memories of “growing up, sitting around in a circle, outside of the school, playing hacky sack before the bell rang or at recess or after school.”
“It’s mostly nostalgia but I’m happy to see it’s back,” Salerno said.
Kids who weren’t alive during the initial rise of hacky sack find its “vintage” nature to be part of the appeal.
“I think of when my parents were younger and they probably were doing the same thing, so it’s like I’m reliving what they did,” said sophomore Trinity Aulet.
It seems that students, lacking their usual technology during the school day have reverted back to older forms of entertainment.
It may be a mix of both social media and a lack of social media that has brought on the second coming of hacky sack. On one hand, students are forced to socialize face-to-face during the day. But when students come home, they are greeted by hacky sack players, also known as “sackers,” across their for-you page. Some social media accounts have even made hacky sack school rankings for Rockland and Westchester schools, although they are not usually based on any real or official competitions.
In the midst of college commitment and prom preparation for the Class of 2026, and with finals season fast approaching, a little stress relief can mean all the difference. And what better way to destress than to connect with other students, get some fresh air and some light-hearted fun?
Teachers and students alike say that hacky sack is a fun and healthy way for students to enjoy the springtime weather.
“I think it’s awesome,” says Ms. Byrnes. “[Hackeysack] used to be a trend way back, and I think it’s amazing that these trends are coming back around. And, it’s something that distracts you guys from going on your phones.”
Students say the game is really easy to get into, if you’re willing to put some work in and aren’t afraid of being a beginner.
“You just have to be coordinated with your feet,” suggests sophomore Ayaan Ali, who added that he finds hacky sack to be low-impact and low-stress.
“You need to have good coordination and just, teamwork, you know,” says freshman Afraz Rizwaan. “It’s fun, but you need to be good at it.”
Students also have noticed that hacky sack has sported a different crowd since its revival.
“In movies, it was always the stoners that were playing hackysack,” says sophomore Abbie O’Connor. But now, many athletes are joining in on the game, much to the chagrin of those who liked hacky sack when it was “niche” and “less mainstream.”
Hacky sack’s return has been generally well-received. However, there are still some critics who find the game to be boring and don’t see the appeal.
“I don’t see the point,” says sophomore Leann Boh. It looks pointless and they just keep making new rules.”
According to Boh, there’s no way everyone playing hacky sack actually enjoys it.
“It’s trend following, everybody’s trend following,” comments junior Rilan O’Neill, who admits he has never played the game. “I’m a judger,” he says, jokingly.
I have to admit, I was skeptical at first, and considered myself another “judger” like Rilan.
But after seeing the eyes of eager sackers light up as they rush to the nearest lawn or turf and hearing their stark defense of their newfound game, I changed my tune. It might not be the game for everyone, but it’s hard to deny that people who play genuinely enjoy playing.
Yes, hacky sack is a trend, fit to come and go when kids tire of it. But is that really such a bad thing? Of all the things social media has inspired kids to do, from buying overpriced water bottles to stealing soap dispensers from bathrooms, is hacky sack really the worst the internet has to offer?
People have been led to believe that “trendy” means consumerism, exclusivity and looking down on those that don’t participate. Hacky sack does not meet those criteria.
Even hacky sack enjoyers acknowledge that it is a “trend” or that they are “trend hopping.” Still, students are having fun with the game while its popularity lasts.
In spite of the criticism, hacky sack enjoyers claim the game is a light-hearted activity that unites students.
Ali encourages the haters to try it for themselves.
“You get to play with your friends and everyone enjoys it,” he says, adding that if people don’t give hacky sack a shot, “then they’ll [just] complain about it.”