Hacky Sack Stick KickBall

Anyone interested in playing soccer but doesn’t seem to have the ability to perform the skills? You may want to try the game below. If you’re a beginner, you’ll enjoy this activity, similar to hackysacks (foot bags). All you need is a 1-foot-long dowel, a 3-foot-long thick string, and a large-size wiffleball.

Hacky Sack has been around for 50 years. Coincidently, it was invented in 1972 by an athlete, John Stalberger, who wanted to rehabilitate his knee after an injury.

The name Hacky Sack means “Footbag,” which became a modern, non-competitive American sport that involved kicking a pellet-filled cloth pouch (about the size of a plum) and keeping it off the ground for as long as possible.

It can be played individually or as a group in a circular formation. It’s a wonderful way to challenge one’s abilities and improve one’s eye foot coordination and fitness level.

The only rule to the game is that you can’t use your hands or arms while trying to keep the ball from dropping to the ground.

Certain techniques that are required to keep the game going involve kicking the hacky sack using the inside curve of your foot, the outside of your foot, and your toes to keep the ball in play. It can be bounced off your chest, head, or back. Just not your arms or hands.

For Beginners

Stick Kickball Activity

Supplies needed:

A 1-foot dowel
A Wiffle ball
A thick string measured from one’s waist to the floor

How to make it:

Tie one end of the string around the middle of the dowel.
Tie the other end of the string through 2 holes of the Wiffle ball.
Description of the Activity
Begin by holding the stick with both hands with your arms straight out in front of you so that the ball is resting on the floor.
Bend one knee and gently kick the ball using either the toes, inside or outside of the foot.
Kick the ball continuously at each return.
Use both your right and left foot to keep it in play.
Move around the room as you kick the ball.

Variations:

★ Walk the Dog – Hold the stick at one end. Make sure the ball is on the floor. Walk around the room as if you are taking a dog for a walk.

★ Striking the Ball in the Air – Hold the stick at one end. Swing the ball along your side. Try to strike the ball with the other end of the stick as the ball swings upward.

★ Striking the Ball on the Floor—While kneeling on the floor, strike the ball with one end of the stick to make it move side to side.

★ Roll it Up and Down—Do you like fishing? Place your fingers from both hands on the stick and start to roll it continuously in one direction until the ball moves upward and touches the stick. Release and reverse the motion of the roll.

★ Jump over the Ball—While the ball is on the floor, swing the stick so that the ball moves towards your feet. Jump over the ball and continue moving it in a circular rotation. Jump over the ball each time it approaches your feet.

Adaptations:

For those individuals who use a mobility device:

While sitting in a chair or wheelchair, make the rope shorter so that its length starts at your belly and the ball reaches and touches the floor.
If you don’t have minimal lower body movement, hold the stick at one end with your dominant hand, swing the ball into the air, and try to strike it with the other end of the stick.

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This post originally appeared on our January/February 2023 Magazine

Hacky Sack Stick KickBall