Today's footbag manufacturers have brought freestyle play to the everyday, recreational kicker by producing a variety of footbags with soft, user-friendly cover materials and stall-friendly fillers. These pliable fabrics are washable, come in a variety of colors and, most importantly, dramatically accelerate the learning process.

The vast majority of footbags are made with synthetic (man-made) materials and come in a variety of names, grades, and colors. The thicker and consequently most durable grades of synthetic suede's are ultra suede and poly-fleece. If the outer cover material of a footbag is listed as "synthetic suede" it is most likely a medium grade material, which is a nice balance of softness and durability. Crushed Panne makes for an extremely soft outer cover and is growing quite popular with freestylers. Facile, generally considered to be the softest of all cover materials, has an almost "buttery" feel to it and is a common choice of elite-level freestylers.

Although most of today's footbags are made from one of these materials, there are still a few made of pigskin and cowhide, which provide excellent durability and "bounce." Specialty footbags for net play use a resilient vinyl cover that provides the advantages of cowhide in all weather conditions. Readily available and inexpensive crocheted footbags are made of rayon or cotton and can vary considerably in their size and density.

Another variable in footbag manufacturing is panel design. In recent years, multi-panel footbags have become increasingly common as innovation and craftsmanship advance. In general, multi-paneled designs improve roundness. The more panels used, the rounder the footbag, resulting in a truer and more predictable kick. However, these beautiful designs usually require increased labor to produce, which in turn increases consumer cost. But there's more to consider than price when choosing a quality footbag.

For beginners, the softer the footbag, the more control you'll have with the least amount of effort. Softer footbags are forgiving, slower and more predictable, allowing you to link a rally of kicks together more easily.

SAND VERSUS PLASTIC PELLET-FILLED?

In recent years sand-filled footbags have emerged as the most popular footbags on the market. Why? Because a sand-filled footbag is easier to "stall" or "delay" on your shoe. Most sand-filled footbags are filled about one third full of sand, are heavier and "deader" than a pellet-filled footbag. A general rule of thumb is that a sand-filled footbag will be easier to stall and do tricks with and a plastic pellet-filled footbag will kick "truer" off your shoe with less effort. Most synthetic suede plastic pellet-filled footbags will soften over time to make for a good all-around footbag for delays and consecutive kicking. Many freestylers will own a sand-filled footbag for skoolin' their new delay tricks and a nice worn in pellet-filled footbag to use once they've honed they're delay skills.

Unfortunately hand-made, sand-filled footbags will have a tendency to loose sand over time. The good news is sand can easily be added in minutes with a "scratch awl" (e.g., blunt, tapered instrument used for piercing wood or leather). If you don't have a scratch awl you can actually use a sharpened pencil. Carefully ease the awl (or pencil) into a seam, gently rotate it as you push it deeper between the stitches creating a small opening. Add sand through the small opening. You can then close the hole by simply rolling the footbag between your hands to again pull the stitches uniformly throughout the entire footbag.

The WFA staff carefully selects and tests all of the footbags we carry for workmanship, durability, and performance. In addition, all footbags meet the International Footbag Committee (IFC) standards for use in competition.

Due to the delicate qualities of our footbags, only limited guarantees are available.

Not only are today's higher-tech footbags easier to use, they're considerably easier to break in than some of their stiff predecessors. In other words, gone are the days of backing over your footbag with the car, stomping it into the pavement, and saturating it with an assortment of mysterious oils and lotions. Now the best way to get them ready for play is to simply roll them vigorously between your hands to help soften the cover material and stretch the seams flat. Often within minutes, your new footbag is ready to go and will continue to break in with repeated use. Sand-filled footbags may require no break in procedures.

Although there have been countless footbag games created over the years, the four mentioned below have emerged as the most widely played and standardized. [For complete, official rules, consult the International Footbag Committee rule book, online at http://ifc.footbag.org, or on sale through FootMart, our online ordering system. Naturally, along with these specialized games, there has been an evolution of specialized footbags to accommodate them.

Most players will naturally gravitate toward FOOTBAG FREESTYLE as their game of choice since the type of footbag used is apt to be quite similar to the one they learned with. Just as soft, pliable footbags enable easy control and the development of fundamental skills, they're also perfectly suited for the innumerable delay tricks and graceful movements of freestyle play.

For FOOTBAG NET, you'll require a firmer footbag with a little more "pop" and durability to carry it distances of up to forty feet at high speeds. Roundness, accurate response, and highly visible colors are also factors in choosing the right net footbag. The cover materials typically used in producing high-performance net footbags are cowhide and vinyl.

In the most basic of games, FOOTBAG CONSECUTIVES, there is some discrepancy over what makes a footbag ideal. Some kickers prefer a softer footbag for added control, while others lean towards a firmer model, requiring less effort to keep it aloft during long rallies. Whatever camp you're in, you'll probably want to choose a multi-paneled footbag for the added roundness and predictability.

Finally, FOOTBAG GOLF requires several different types of footbags. In fact, golfers will often walk a course equipped with a dozen or more at their disposal. You'll usually use a tight, hard footbag (like a net footbag) for driving long distances off the tee. As you approach the hole, you can use a footbag of either soft or medium consistency to chip it in or near the hole. To putt, you'll typically use your softest footbag. Considering all of the different kicking situations golfers find themselves in, it's a good idea to have a wide assortment of footbags from which to choose.

The best way to save synthetic footbags from a premature retirement is to keep them clean. Dirt acts as an abrasive on the cover material causing excessive wear during routine use. To wash synthetic footbags run cool tap water over the footbag and massage in some dish soap-then do the same to yourself. Be sure to rinse your footbag free of soap and lightly squeeze out any excess water. Roll the footbag round again and let it dry at room temperature.

This kind of preventive maintenance is not necessary with your cowhide or pigskin leather footbag, but if they do happen to get wet it's usually not a big deal. Roll it round again and let it dry at room temperature. When it dries completely, apply a small amount of oil (mink oil, snow seal or any good leather dressing) before using. This will help prevent the leather from drying out and cracking.

Over the years, many players have developed special preferences for particular footbag weights. As a result, there's a temptation to pop open some stitches and modify the amount of filler inside. However, more often than not this kind of amateur surgery results in a severely deformed or irreparably mutilated footbag. Not good. If you've done this, you might be able to cut your losses by applying some Freesole® as described in the footbag repair section below.

Alternatively, if you want a little more or less weight to your footbag, try the following: Take an ordinary pen or pencil, and gently work it between a couple of the stitches of your footbag. You'll discover that the seams will start to spread apart quite easily, opening a hole through which you can shake out or insert filler pellets. When you've reached your desired weight, simply roll the footbag in your hands and the stitches will close up as they were before. All it takes is a gentle touch and a little patience.

To add a lot of weight without increasing the footbag's density too much, try inserting small ball bearings or BB's rather than plastic pellets. They work great and, like plastic pellets, won't break down with extended use.

Cleanliness will prolong the life of your footbag, but not indefinitely. Even so, don't abandon your old favorites as soon as you see pellets or sand start flying. A while back we experimented with a variety of different repair adhesives and discovered a particular brand that was perfect for closing up footbag injuries. Freesole® is ideal for seam repairs and damaged cover materials of all kinds.

A single tube of Freesole® (1.5 oz) should last you a lifetime if used exclusively for footbag repairs. (However, it's awesome for a range of other fix-it projects including shoes, car seats, watch bands, toys, and younger brothers.) Before applying Freesole® to synthetic footbags, be sure to wash and dry them thoroughly. Gently squeeze out a small dab onto a piece of paper and use a tooth pick or paper clip to lightly apply a thin layer over the damaged area. Remember that a little goes a long way and "less is best" for you and your footbags. You can always apply more if needed. Let your repaired footbag rest at room temperature for at least 24 hours before playing with it. Once dried, Freesole® is washable, flexible and permanent. The manufacturer recommends storing your opened tube in the freezer to keep it fresh and prolong its life. (Freesole® is available through FootMart, our online ordering system.)

The WFA offers over 50 different kinds of footbags. The wide variety can make selecting a footbag difficult, even for the most experienced players. If you're unsure of which one is right for you, you can either buy all fifty-something or call our toll-free number (800) 878-8797 to speak with a member of our all-knowing staff. Happy Kicking!