My Footbag Story - How Hacky Sack Changed My Life

[@movewithveronika]

Awesome! Footbag purchased! :)

[@pleckocat1833]

please dont stop making footbag videos man, a dying breed, your video quality is amazing

[@smoovmoves]

Thank you for the encouragement! What topics would interest you in future footbag videos? Appreciate you!

[@reeser2776]

This!! Keep er coming! Love kickin a footbag everyday! Hello from Calgary Canada!

[@GlizzyMonger]

​@@smoovmovesyou should try footbag with everyday objects!

[@Retronize84]

We use to play with the Guatemala "hacky sack" in high school. It was good times. Now, 20 years later, I picked it up again. Absolutely loving it! Also, like you said, it's an awesome ice breaker. I am a school teacher and find it a great way to bond with my students. I'm surprised how little hacky sack videos get viewed. I think it will definitely make a come back.

[@smoovmoves]

Thank you for chiming in with your story! Awesome to hear that you’re sharing it with future generations and you’re feeling the come back! What age and subject do you teach? Also, if there’s anything specific that you’d like to have covered on this channel, please let me know. Footbag related, movement related, healthy mindset, I’m all ears for topics and questions. Thank you for sharing!

[@Retronize84]

@@smoovmoves I am a high school English teacher in Japan (I am Australian). Any tips for improving faster would be great! After feeling comfortable with all the standard moves, I am trying to do some harder moves like round the world. I have no idea how people can move their leg that fast, lol.

[@coffeeshangarworkshop8051]

I'm 58 years old, I've been hacking for about 10 years now, seriously for five. I kick it on my knee when I'm walking down the street. It's funner than walking. I am practicing kicking it on my knee up and down stairwells, I'm a courier... and encounter them everyday on the job. Fast moving elevators are a lot of fun to hack in, the gravity shift makes for a interesting session whether going up or down. Hacky sack lets me keep fit even while I'm working my regular job. I love your comment about it being the most competitive non-competitive sport there is. You compete with yourself to improve, and you assist your fellow players to improve. It's the most cooperative sport that I know of when you get a group of people doing it together. The huge rush everyone gets when a circle manages to get the sack around and everybody gets a kick at it, HACK!!!

[@smoovmoves]

Dude! I can’t believe I didn’t reply to this comment. Thank you so much for sharing this incredible perspective. Your insights inspire me immensely! Keep on kickin it in them chucks!

[@Mani_Matter]

😃👍

[@toddrickson3903]

@@smoovmoves I’m 50 and just started last year. we play every Sunday in Yellow Springs Ohio at the train station at 2 pm. We have about a 4 hour session every time we play. We have had as many as 15 players in the circle at once. Swing by if you’re ever in the area. We have music blaring, with a couple superstars, and plenty of people just learning. Plenty of spectators and Everyone’s welcome. Get here ASAP

[@smoovmoves]

@@toddrickson3903 Epic! Time to hit the road! Thanks for sharing Todd! Love hearing these stories and excited to connect in the future

[@cindygallimore6563]

People really do respond positively to the footbag! I’m a beginner and what I’ve noticed when playing in public, people see my fails and they encourage me to keep at it! I love my little bag of sand, it brings out the goodness in people. Keeping it simple is rewarding :) thanks for your videos! 🎉

[@robertgarcia7142]

Just got a knitted type as a gift. Wow this is a work out, and stress relief all in one lil bag ! You are right it makes me light up and start laughing immediately ! 😃

[@smoovmoves]

Apologies on such a late reply here. Love it! Keep lighting it up Robert! Please feel free to hit me with any questions or topics you want covered in future videos!

[@GlizzyMonger]

I typically train parkour but after a few injuries recently and me realizing i need to strengthen my hips and knees and ankles, i decided to pick up a footbag! Since i started my recovery has been great and i've found it has brought up my overall athleticism significantly! Only regret is not finding out about it sooner!

[@jvasche75]

Fantastic! I stumbled across your channel the other day and have really enjoyed your hacky sack/footbag videos. This one in particular was really great, very encouraging and inspiring. My hacky sack journey began in college too and, though there have been seasons where the hack lay dormant, I'm glad to say I'm still kicking after almost thirty years. This has inspired me to get out and spend more time hacking the sack in parks and elsewhere, because you're right -- start kicking, and people will notice and want to play. Just the other day, I was kicking at my kids' gym and ended up with a couple parents and a few kids joining in. I even shared your three starter exercises with the newbies. More hacky sack videos, please!

[@smoovmoves]

Jason! Thanks for sharing your story. Really appreciate this comment. Here's to continued footbag play for life! If there is anything you'd like covered in future videos, hit me with those topics. Much appreciated brother!

[@jvasche75]

​@@smoovmoves Here's a topic I haven't really seen addressed much in footbag videos -- what would you say are the most important stretches/movement/mobility exercises for before and after kicking sessions? Also, are there other movement modalities or practices that you think complement or overlap particularly well with footbag?

[@smoovmoves]

@@jvasche75 stay tuned bro! That’s what this channel is all about. Lots more coming to support you in building a strong foundation in movement for all aspects of your life PLUS how to apply that foundation to skills like footbag, ground movement, rhythm/dance, locomotion, and more. All stuff that I have found incredibly complementary to footbag. Thank you for the direction man!

[@ED-xz3kk]

SMOOV, you are on the journey to find the shaolin footbag master. Just like me. I've been kicking the bag of sand around since I was about 10 back in the 80's. Still kicking today (I have taken breaks and keep coming back). Everything you said was right on. Start kicking the bag in a park, and within 10 minutes you'll make new friends. The most competitive non-competitive thing you can do. love it. You get it. Good luck on your journey.

[@Chinsen90]

best sport in the world. this beanbag made me travel the world and kick with people from all over the globe. all because of a little bag with sand, kicking it with fellow hacky lovers... awesome

[@KerryWaldrip]

As far as balance, can confirm. Ruptured my Achilles in 2015 as an older gentlemen and was absolutely wussing out. Footbag probably saved my sanity. Oh, and I bought one of your bags. I'll let you know how it goes. If you're ever in west Texas, stop by for a beer.

[@smoovmoves]

What an incredible healing tool the footbag is! Such a great story Kerry! Sent out the bag today, stoked to get it to you down in West Texas! And I'm going to take you up on that! A beer and some baggin!

[@DYSS10]

I discovered hacky sack this summer by a friend and immediatly liked it so I introduced it to my highschool friend group and at first everyone was laughing at me. But now things have changed and we play everyday of the week. This is really cool to know that we aren't alone to know this little thing exist. Anyway thanks for your video and greet from switzerland !

[@smoovmoves]

Thanks for sharing! So great to hear your story. Keep kickin it and spreading the word!

[@curioustoy]

Played a lot in the 90s and recently been thinking about that time. Picked one up today and introduced my young daughter to it. She loves it too. Been having a blast.

[@Hustrulill]

I played soccer for a very long time and loved it. Nowadays it's more movement, strength training and such but your videos have inspired me to start hacky sacking. I have ordered a few hacky sacks. One for the office, one in the gym bag and one at home. Thank you for sharing this.

[@chrisannegalvez4449]

Today is my 70th birthday and I'm still kicking! It's almost impossible to find anyone, old or young, to kick with. I started kicking at 34 in the mid 80's. I play pickleball now, but always ready to kick. I have 3-4 in the car just in case!

[@smoovmoves]

I'm feeling a renaissance with the bags. Always keep em handy!

[@SpiritofAnatomy]

Love your videos dude! Picked it up 3 weeks ago and your tips have elevated my game in just a few days. Love the way you explain the residual effects. I'm a movement coach and this has helped with hip and knee range of motion. Fun and good for us. Love it 👌🏼

[@smoovmoves]

Incredibly helpful and encouraging comment! Thanks so for watching AND putting in work with the bag. That’s what it’s all about! Keep going and please let me know if you’ve got any further questions. I got you with the guidance. Inspired and going to kick the bag right now because of it 🙏

[@SpiritofAnatomy]

@SMOOV love it man yea went on vacation to Mexico today and I realized that as long as I have this little sack bag now, I'll always have something to practice and work on. Love the spiritual aspect you bring to it. That's really what inspired me most. How it brought joy to friends, brought us outside more and overall Improved living by improved movement. Thanks man. I teach hip health and foot health as a physical therapist so hacky sack has literally come at the perfect time. Keep it up bro I barely need questions, your videos got me set up! Especially lifting the hip at 90 instead of just kicking with a straight leg. ✌🏼 peace!!!

[@II-GHXSTWRLD-II]

Man this is great. Gotta raise awareness of the footbag! Bring it back! Absolutely amazing

[@errollgnargnar9534]

Been watching ur footbag videos everyday. Thanks mayne

[@gootyeriz]

My bag is the type that is a knitted material with what feels like beads inside. I recall other bags that are more soft and feel like they have fine sand inside. What are the pros and cons between the two?

[@smoovmoves]

Hey David, great question! The knitted bags with beads typically have a lot more pop and play more like a ball. Lots of fun to play with in a group but the characteristics do make it a tougher to control, especially stall tricks. The sandbag is a great bag for individual and group play. This is the one I play with every day. Easier to control and more forgiving as you develop touch with your kicks. It simply comes down to a different feel. Whenever I bust out the knitted bag with beads, its an adjustment but I'm able to find my groove in just a few minutes. If you're just getting started or challenged by the bead bag, I'd recommend giving the sandbag a go. There's a link in the description to purchase a bag if you feel inclined. Thanks for the question brother. Curious, would a video on this question be helpful for you and others?

[@gootyeriz]

@@smoovmoves Thank you. You answered my question. A video would still be great. There might be some out there that are unaware there are different types of bags. In high school, my friends and I would play during lunch. I recall it was the soft sand type. That was almost 20 years ago. Last year for father's day, I recieved the knitted bead one I have now. I showed my kids and then they lost interest and my bag sat on the dresser until this last October when I made sure I packed it for my "deployment" to Kuwait. I brought it out one day and it attracted some people and now we take breaks from work to hack. I will definitely look into acquiring the soft sand bag.

[@smoovmoves]

@@gootyeriz sounds good my dude! I’ll get it added to the list of future videos. Thank you for the subscribe! Excited to share future content with you David!

[@chambergym]

Loved it!! Just ordered my bag!

[@Chinsen90]

man how awesome is this sport and the community of footbaggers. gotta love it. awesome video. will kick today

[@semirecumbentoneYT]

Hey just great man and everyone can see you look def healthy ! Have to try this ! DIY I guess because can't find here to buy...why not unused out-of-date coffee beans just wrap inside a cloth circular shaped and sewed quickly by hand together? Hey let's try this & get healthier !

[@marsmarv]

great vibe

[@smoovmoves]

Thanks so much for watching! Do you kick the bag?

[@chrisb3389]

You make a lot of great points in this video. I am just getting the fever back for footbag after a many year break. I learned in the mid -90's and hacked regularly for about a decade or more. Had some pockets of times I did it with co-workers or friends since then, but was only very occasionally. Recently I decided to introduce it to some kids I lead in a youth group. One of the kids had fun doing it with me. Hopefully I can get others to. Just met up this week with a co-worker who used to kick with me and we had a good session. I think I'm going to get a regular meetup with friends and open it to local people. So many benefits. It's like the perfect communal re-connector needed in these digital isolation days. I think people desperately crave fun and accepting chances to interact with people and also get active. At 47, I also have had inline skating fun and most recently these things called free skates. I think the foot coordination and speed of footbag will help on the free skates too. Anyways, thanks for the video.

[@smoovmoves]

Thanks for sharing Chris! It's awesome to hear that you see the same benefits. Lifelong activity for sure. Keep Kickin!

[@FootbagStuntMaster-vi9hw]

I Agree! Love it. I'm 56 and I been kicking over 40 years, I still do Footbag Stunts. I have video: Footbag for Fitness.

[@steveyoung9522]

Awesome video Grant!!! Thanks for sharing the history too, and your journey. I like what you said about deciding that you would suck for a while lol. Like Animal Flow it’s hard at the beginning but I’m inspired to continue and improve. I still need to get my footbag though 😂 thanks for the inspiration! Aloha Steve

[@smoovmoves]

Glad you enjoyed it Steve! I heard a great Zig Ziglar quote today that applies. "Anything worth doing is worth doing poorly until done well." Keep going, its not going to be perfect, its just going to get better! And I gotta get some more bags for sale! I'm all sold out. Check out sandmaster footbags, really solid.

[@steveyoung9522]

@@smoovmoves Thanks Grant! Zig Ziglar, wow that’s old school lol but solid advice. I’ll check out sandmaster! Thanks 🙏

[@joefier1286]

Wow dude, you inspired me to get one. I don't know what I'm doing, but will soon :)

[@Mani_Matter]

thank you for uploading

[@johnhue8933]

Do you do soccer ball juggling as well as Hacky Sack?

[@smoovmoves]

Been playing around with the soccer ball a bit here and there. Its been a tougher feel for me personally AND that's a great opportunity to give it more space in my practice. Thanks for the nudge John! What does your kicking practice look like?

[@johnhue8933]

@@smoovmoves I have not started Hacky Sack yet, I am up to 42 kick ups in soccer ball juggling and it is getting better, the plan is to get to 50 then try and stitch 2 50s together, that worked when I started bouncing a golf ball on a golf club, I was not very good at it at first and getting to 10 was tough at first but when I got to 50 I started stitching them together and got into 100s my record on the right hand is 369 and left hand 299.

[@dj-jester]

So that bag of sand will get me jacked and ripped like you? I’m IN!!!

[@zach4thlife]

Okay, that's what I thought thank you

[@smoovmoves]

Love your channel Zach!

[@user-jn6lk2kx6q]

Whats the difference between a footbag and a hacky sack?

[@smoovmoves]

I use the terms interchangeably. But some people will call the crochet beanbag a hacky sack and the sandbag style a Footbag.

[@zach4thlife]

Great

[@ParishPflibsen1984]

I kick mine daily on my work breaks. The ladies like to watch.

[@kiwifruit701]

Watch it from China now

[@49684]

🍕🍕🍕🍕🍕

[@mathiaslwolf]

bro, it's a hacky-sack. ha, ok, spoke too soon. Sure, cool story. I hacked for years as a teen, still got mine. I had a few. they tear. There was fad with a koosh for a while. the koosh-balls sucked but it added a challenge to the hack. Can't get away from the old soft leather bag though. We used to have circles of 6-8 guys in the street hackin. good times!

[@tronpig]

Thats awesome, my church has been playing hackysack in-between services, and before / after youth group for a while now, its great. Keep it alive!