Hacky Sack Returns, Just in Time for Summer

HUDSON – Hacky sack is back. But for Gen Z, it’s all new.

Hacky sack was brought back through TikTok trends, and students have been loving it. Here at Hudson High, students are circling the courtyard during lunch and after school.

In fact, it’s been so popular that an ARC enrichment filled up with people wanting to play. During the hacky sack ARC enrichment, students play competitively but make great memories while doing so.

Hacky sack is played with friends, usually in a 6-person circle, where you kick around a bean bag trying to keep it from touching the ground. Students have been posting hacky sack TikToks and leaderboards for schools in Massachusetts.

The game started in Oregon with two friends, Mike Marshall and John Stalberger, who had met each other in 1972, when Stalberger shared his experiences in the military, where he learned a fun game from a Native American that consisted of kicking and bumping a bean bag.

During the ARC enrichment, students circled around as laughter filled the cafeteria; most people were barefoot or wore HeyDudes to get better stalls off. Tricks like the around-the-world, where a student wraps around the beanbag, were celebrated by the students.

“The environment the whole time was positive, everyone was always helping each other,” freshman Mance Brookins said.

The enrichment was a success, and many of the students are hoping it becomes a recurring activity during ARC.

Staff at Hudson High also remember playing hacky sack in their youth; some staff members say that they all used to play during lunch in the courtyard.

“I’ve noticed that students are inserting all kinds of different tricks … you guys are filming and trying to get the fanciest round you can.” Leah Vivirito said

“It didn’t change not one bit, it’s kicking around a bean bag with some friends and some good old high school fun with no phones,” said Dan McAnespie

Although playing hacky sack requires skill, it also creates memorable times and connections between players.

“I like hacky sack because it brings a group of your friends together… it just makes memories,“ senior Anthony Roman said.