Recently at Centaurus, during lunch and other free time, students have been finding numerous ways to stay busy without their phones. At Centaurus and other schools in the area, there has been an obsession with the game of hacky sack.
Since the phone ban was put into effect, many students have been finding fun ways to socialize at school without their devices. Some have been playing cards, relaxing outside with friends, or participating in fun activities in the fishbowl like ping-pong, air hockey, and foosball. However, many students have also begun to play hacky sack with others in their free time. The basic rules of the game are simple — you have to hit a small bean bag with any body part but your hands, and the game continues until someone misses or drops the bag. The whole group stands in a circle, and serves the bag to each other while trying to keep it in the air for as long as possible. Everywhere at Centaurus, students can be found playing hacky sack in circles, enjoying their lunch or free period time.
Hacky sack is generally described as a fun and inviting game. The rules and setup are simple. “I think it’s a fun game you can play with your friends, and you don’t need a lot of materials or space. It gives everybody a fun activity to do at lunch!” CHS Junior Juna Nordstrom-Lane notes. A small circle will do, and everyone is involved. The only thing necessary is a hacky sack, which makes it convenient and easy to play.
There are also different rule variations, which means it can get creative quickly. One set of rules seems to be called “Dog”, where an element of throwing the hacky sack is introduced. It is unsure why this is named “Dog”, but Juna shares that it includes a specialized and exciting ruleset.
“Three different people kick it, then somebody can catch it and throw it at somebody. It’s very versatile! Also, our rules are that nobody can self-serve, and if you catch it, then the person who threw it loses a life. We have three lives,” said Juna. Different sets of rules provide for variety and extra excitement. There are many ways to play the game, and each group makes it unique for them.
A new hacky sack club has also started up at Centaurus. With the popularity of hacky sack, many embrace the trend while others remain indifferent about it. Only time will tell if hacky sack continues to remain popular.
