During class change and after school, more students are starting to gather in circles with a small colorful footbag, trying to keep it off the ground for as long as possible. What used to seem like an old trend is starting to become popular again, especially in middle schools and high schools. 

Hacky sack, also called “footbag,” started in the 1970s. Two men named Mike Marshall and John Stalberger created the game in Oregon. The idea was simple: players work together to keep the small bag from touching the ground using only their feet, knees, and other body parts except their hands. By the 1990s and early 2000s, hacky sack became a huge trend. Students played before school, during lunch, and after classes. Many people even clipped hacky sacks onto their backpacks. 

Over time, though, the trend started to fade away. Phones, video games, and social media became more popular, and fewer students spent time outside playing games like hacky sack. For years, it seemed like the trend had disappeared. 

Now, social media is actually helping bring it back. Schools are making hacky sack Instagram pages and posting clips of students doing tricks, juggling for long streaks, and competing with friends. More students are joining circles during their free time, and some schools are even creating unofficial teams. 

One student helping bring back the trend is Owen Davis, a junior at C. Milton Wright High School. Davis said he started playing with friends during school and quickly got into it. 

“At first, I just tried it because everyone else started playing,” Davis said. “But after a while it became a trend that I enjoy doing.” 

Davis is also part of the C. Milton Wright Hacky Sack team, which posts videos online of tricks and juggling clips. He said the videos helped more students become interested in joining. 

“A lot of people see the videos and want to try it themselves,” Davis said. “It’s not about being super competitive. It’s more about hanging out and getting better among each other.” 

According to Davis, one of the best things about hacky sacks is that almost anyone can join in, even if they have never played before. 

“You can start out not knowing anything, and after a few days you have already improved,” he said. “It’s cool because everyone helps each other learn tricks and try getting the perfect video to post.” 

Davis  also said hacky sacks give students something fun to do away from screens. 

“Most people are on their phones all day,” he said. “Hacky sack gives people a reason to go outside, talk to each other, and actually do something.” 

Part of the hacky sack’s comeback is because it is simple. All students need a footbag and a group of friends. The game is easy to learn, but difficult enough that players to always want to improve and learn new tricks. 

Even though hacky sack first became popular decades ago, students today are giving it a new life. From school sidewalks to Instagram pages, the game is becoming part of student culture again. What used to be considered outdated is now turning into one of the biggest trends in schools.