Footbag is an international sport sanctioned by the IFPA (International Footbag Player's Association). Footbag involves using your feet to manipulate a small round bag filled with plastic, metal, or sand. Footbag is derived from the more commonly known 'hacky sack'.
There are many forms of Footbag such as Footbag Net, Footbag Freestyle, Footbag Routines, Footbag Shred, and Footbag Circle Shred. Each is its own discipline and requires many hours of practice in order to master. Levels of play vary from beginner, to intermediate, to open or professional.
Footbag Net
Net is played similar to volleyball except with your feet instead
of hands. The game ball is generally a leather 32 panel footbag slightly
larger than a golf ball and jam packed with plastic pellets. The objective
is also similar to volleyball and is played one on one or in pairs
like tennis.
Footbag Freestyle
Freestyle is the manipulation of a footbag with the goal being to
perform as many tricks back-to-back as you can before the bag hits
the ground. Freestyle is generally an inform circle of players each
taking their turn in succession. Tricks can range from kicks to extremely
complex stalls. There are many different levels of play as well as,
many unique tricks. Tricks derive their names from their inventors
or by combination of technical terms used to describe tricks. Competitve
Freestyle consists of Routines, Shred, and Circle Shred.
Footbag Routines
Routines began as an artistic display of foot coordination set to
music. Routines last approx. 2 minutes and are generally judged by
a panel of experienced professionals in the sport. Routines consist
of a series of footbag tricks performed back-to-back without dropping
the footbag. Participants plan their routines in advance complete
with music and choreography.
Footbag Shred
Shred is what avid players refer to the sport of Footbag Freestyle.
Like surfing, the term is used to represent an unmeasurable amount
of enthusiasm for a difficult to explain sport. Shred also exists
as a competitve aspect of the sport. Competitions are held to determine
the best shredder based on technical ability. Each participant is
allowed 30 seconds or 3 drops to perform as many high level and unique
tricks as possible.
Footbag Circle Shred
Circle Shred is a newer addition to the competitive side of the sport.
Circle Shred combines the aspects of Footbag Freestyle with the difficulty
of Shred. Each participant takes a turn just like in Freestyle. Tricks
are performed in higher levels of difficulty for high scores like
in Shred, but there is no time limit. Once the bag drops it is passed
to the next competitor. Circle Shred lasts a given number of rounds
and themes and is generally spread out into pool play to accomodate
all of the competitors.