For the first time ever, the World Footbag Championships leave the friendly confines of the U.S., and travel north to Montreal by Andrew Morgan It's a long way from Oregon City to Montréal. But then, footbag has come a long way since the very first Nationals back in 1980. There are more events, more players, and a whole lot more footbags. Seventeen years is a long time, and as we know, 17-year-olds get restless and like to hit the road. Photos: Yves Archambault (left) and Sébastien Verdy, from Montréal, Québec. Photos by Martin Côté.

So as the World Footbag Championships prepare to blow out 17 candles, Montréal is rolling out the red carpet for kickers from all states, provinces, cantons--heck, even Denmark! Think about it. 1996. The year the Worlds finally lives up to its name. Borders, customs, funny money and a foreign language to boot. But hey, isn't it about time our favorite tournament went on an international tour? So pack up the car, or cab it to the airport, and head north until you see Olympic Stadium. It'll be a spanking new treat for your eyes and ears, and the same old punishment for your feet. The following pages are your guide to the 1996 Hacky Sack® World Footbag Championships, whether you plan to attend as a player or a spectator. You'll get the scoop on entry fees, events, and a survival guide for first-time visitors to Québec.

Get out your map of North America and look up, waaaaay up. Now pan right until you're almost in the Atlantic Ocean. There it is. Montréal, Québec. Only 40 miles from the U.S. of A., and yet in many ways much farther. But don't be intimidated. By following a few basic rules you can ensure that your time in Québec will be most enjoyable (until Montréal net-head Sebastien Verdy knocks your Adam's apple clear down your throat on the court, that is).

Crossing the Border

Border crossings can be a lot of fun, but only if you're a sadistic border guard. For the rest of us they are simply an annoying and time-consuming part of international travel. Here are a few pointers:

• Bring proper I.D. (passport or birth certificate and driver's license or photo I.D.). This is a serious matter. Canadian customs agents have the right to refuse entry to anyone who can't produce proper identification. That means anyone, not just the driver of a vehicle in which you're riding.

• If you are travelling in a convoy, make sure the bags you are carrying belong to the people in your car, not the people in other cars. This makes things easier if the guards decide to check your stuff.

• If you are asked to pull over for a search, don't sweat it. It just means you're on the unlucky end of a numbers game. Kinda like having to play reigning Triple-Crown net champion Randy Mulder in the first round. Just take it easy; it probably won't take more than 20 minutes.

• Don't try out your new G-man jokes on the border guard. The average surly border guard has about as much sense of humor as the average surly border guard.

• Guns and drugs are a BIG, BIG no-no. Don't even think about it.

Currency

Yes, it's true. Canada is an independent country with its own currency. And when in Rome, spend as the Romans. The fact is you can get away with using American money, but it's not worth it. Merchants will ding you on the exchange rate as a way of punishing you for not using a bank or currency exchange. The best idea is to buy travelers cheques in Canadian dollars before leaving the U.S. That way you won't be running around looking for a bank when you should be warming up at the site. The good news for U.S. visitors is that for the past twenty years or so, the U.S. power buck has been clobbering the kinder, gentler Canadian looney (that's the bird on the one dollar coin). That means that your dollar will be worth about $1.40 Canadian, more or less, when you exchange it. Just remember to spend all the money you bring; the Montréal economy could use the boost.

Language

There's no reason to panic. English is spoken pretty much everywhere in downtown Montréal. And even if you do run into an ice cream vendor who stares at you blankly when you ask for French vanilla in English, well, that's part of the thrill of travel, isn't it? That being said, here is a quick and dirty lexicon that may help you get by, or at least give locals something to laugh at:

Hello	Bonjour (bone-jur)
Bye-bye	Bye-bye (by-by)
How are you?	Comment ca va? (kum-on sah vah)
Where is La Ronde?	Ou est La Ronde? (oo eh la rond)
Excuse me but you're standing in my beer	Excusez-moi mais vous avez les pieds dans ma bière (ex-cue-say mwah may voos avay lay pee-ay dawn mah bee-air)
Do you have the time?	Avez-vous l'heure? (Ah-vay voo luhr?)
Actually I'm from Sweden. I just speak great English	En effet je viens de la Suède. Mais je parle tres bien l'anglais. (en ay-fay jhuh vee-en duh la Soo-aid. May jhuh pahrl tray bee-en lawn-glay)

Above all, remember to do as the locals do and have a great time when you're in Montréal. There is an expression in French called joie-de-vivre, which translates roughly as joy of living. It is something Québecers invented and practice every day. Just smile a lot, go with the flow and relax. The rest will take care of itself. À bientôt! (Ah bee-en toe - see you soon)

Photo: Dylan Cole of Salt Lake City, Utah. Photo by John Caveney.

Professional Prize Pool

As we go to press, the Association Québecois de Aqi-Footbag estimates that the total prize purse will be approximately the same as last year, about $7,000. However, sponsorships will be aggressively solicited right up to the last minute.

Intermediates

Once again this year, intermediate players will get to take advantage of special categories in freestyle, women's singles net and golf. Format in net play will be the same as last year, including seeding, matches in pool play and consolation playoff brackets.

Strength in Numbers

1996 will mark the first time that the Worlds have taken place entirely in a major metropolis. The Montréal area has about 3 million residents, and we will be kicking up a fuss right on their doorstep. The tournament itself will take place on a small island in the middle of the St. Lawrence River, right next to the city's largest amusement park, La Ronde. In fact, the last four days of competition will be right on the amusement park grounds, which will bring us up close and personal with over 14,000 people a day. And for players who don't get enough G-forces shredding and spiking, there will be free admission to La Ronde during the last four days of competition. Just don't board the Salt & Pepper shaker unless you have empty pockets and a strong stomach. Speaking of stomachs, it will be a good idea to shop for your daily bread every morning before hitting the site, since on-site fare will consist largely of kiosk-style food--hot dogs, pogos and the like. An agreement on parking is currently being worked out. However, the site is easily accessible by Metro (Montréal's top-notch subway system).

Finals Go Synthetic

A first this year will be the introduction of a synthetic surface for the net finals. The reason for this is the location of the court, which will be in one of the highest pedestrian traffic areas of the La Ronde fair, not on a distant field. The surface is the same one used at the World Badminton Championships.

Photo: Jody Welch of Mountain View, California.
Photo by John Caveney.

Media

Local outlets have been duly warned about the event and are expected to act accordingly. Don't be shy about approaching them and telling them where you're from and why you've come. Reporters like a good feature story; give them one, and you too could be famous for 15 minutes.

Freestyle Judging Clinic

This year, all freestyle competitors are required to attend a recently-revised judging clinic Wednesday evening. This meeting is mandatory for all competitors, regardless of experience. Based on feedback, we have modified the format of this clinic, striving to greatly simplify the process. All judging assignments will be made before this meeting, so individuals will know exactly which categories they are judging in advance. At the meeting, players will report to focus groups to discuss only issues related to judging a particular category or card; players will be assigned as judges to their categories throughout the event. If you have a strong preference for a particular category, be sure to indicate it on the entry form on page 32. If you are unsure, leave it blank.

Freestyle Venue

This year, freestyle will go from the gym to the theater, or more accurately, to the Jardin des Etoiles (Garden of Stars) as the venue is known. It's an 800-seat amphitheater with a killer sound system (organizers are even considering the possibility of creating a gravity-reduced zone within the theater so that Rippin' Rick Reese isn't the only one landing quadruple around-the-worlds).

Win a Scholarship to Worlds

Back again this year is the ever-popular "scholarship program." The tournament director at each of the following events may award this scholarship for free Worlds entry (intermediate or open, and amateur or professional categories) to one woman and one man:

• Western Regionals
• Southern Regionals
• Midwest Regionals
• Heartland Regionals
• Eastern Regionals
• Emerald City Open
• Funtastik Summer Classic
• U.S. Open Net Championships

To qualify for the scholarship, players must never have competed in the World Championships. The director of each of the events may choose the recipients based on any criteria and then report this information to AQAF (Association Québécoise de Aqi-Footbag) before the pre-registration deadlines. Tournament directors wishing to add their events to this program should contact the WFA for consideration for this and future events.

Budget Travel Also back this year as the official travel agency for the Worlds is Oaks Travel. Remember to call as soon as possible to get the deals and dates you want. They handle airline reservations as well as car rentals. Keep in mind that there are two U.S. airports within a 90-minute drive of Montréal--Burlington, Vermont, and Plattsburg, New York--if you prefer to fly and rent domestically. However, be sure to ask about taking rental cars across the border before you decide to fly into either of these cities. The toll-free number for Oaks Travel is 1-800-359-6694. Hotel The host hotel is smack in the middle of downtown Montréal, which is exactly where you want to be. It's called the Nouvel Hotel and it's got a Comedy Nest club and a swimming pool. Rooms are $79 Canadian (about $55 U.S.) for four people. There are also a few doubles reserved. Call toll-free at 1-800-363-6063 or by fax at 514-931-3233. The address is 1740 Rene Levesque West. Remember to call early to reserve your room and be sure to mention the Worlds. The contact person is Virginie Cousin. There is also underground parking and plenty of nearby places to shop for food as well as more frivolous items.

Photo: Tuan Vu of Fairfax, Virginia. Photo by John Caveney.

Club Recognition

There is no doubt that the sport of footbag is growing because of the strength of the clubs involved around the world. So once again this year, Worlds will honor the club whose members register the most overall points in the Championships. In order to recognize all club member who compete at the Worlds, points earned by intermediate players will also be counted. Please be sure to indicate which club you are representing when you fill out the pre-registration form. The only stipulation is that the club you choose to represent must be one that you are, in fact, associated with in your own home town or one that is at least in the state or province where you live.

Deadlines

Registration: Championships pre-registration forms and fees must be postmarked by July 18. All late entrants must pay a $10 U.S. late fee. Event T-shirts will be provided only to entrants who pre-register by the deadline. Those who do not pre-register may buy event shirts for $12 U.S. at the event or at any time after player check-in. Check in: Player check-in and late registration begins at 8:00 a.m. and closes at 11:00 a.m. at the site on Monday, August 5. Complete directions on how to get to the site will be available at the host hotel or by contacting Yves Archambault at 514-845-2194 or Martin Cote at 514-875-6723. All players, including those pre-registered, must check in by 11:00 a.m. Players may check in and register for other players, provided there are no changes to their original registration forms. Those who have not registered and checked in by 11:00 a.m. on August 5 will not be allowed to compete. For this reason we strongly recommend that you pre-register by the above-mentioned dates.

Worlds On-Line

The Internet address for information on the 1996 Worlds is: <worlds@footbag.org>. There is also a Worlds website at http://www.footbag.org/worlds/.

Doubles Players Match-Up

All players needing partners for doubles events are encouraged to meet at 8:00 a.m. August 5 at the registration site. These players should post their names at the check-in and registration area. This will be the last opportunity for players to find partners.

Events

Footbag Net: Footbag net combines basic kicks and fancy footwork with volleyball's scoring rules and the fundamental playing rules of tennis. In singles, two kicks are allowed per side; in doubles, three kicks are allowed per side with no player allowed consecutive kicks. No contact above the knee is permitted in either singles or doubles. The 44' x 20' playing court has four equal serving quadrants and a 5-foot-high net across the center. These dimensions are the same as those of a doubles badminton court (which are marked on most gymnasium floors). Control, power, and the ability to use both sides of the body are musts in order to properly cover the wide parameters of the court. All entrants in the intermediate, women's intermediate, open, and women's open categories may compete in singles, doubles footbag net events. However, footbag net players may enter only one singles and one doubles event. In addition, mixed doubles footbag net is available to everyone. Photo: Martin Côté of Montréal, Québec. Photo by John Caveney.

Footbag Freestyle: Footbag freestyle combines foot dexterity with an artistic element, giving players full creative reign to show off their abilities. Each routine displays a personality and grace all its own. Footbag freestyle can be described as rhythmic, choreographed routines of difficult tricks and maneuvers performed to music. In competition, players demonstrate their physical conditioning, kicking skills, variety and difficulty of tricks by performing their routines before a panel of peer judges. All footbag freestyle players in the open and women's open categories may compete in singles and/or team (2 players). In addition, intermediate players may now compete in singles freestyle, and a special demonstration mixed doubles freestyle event has again been added in hopes that enough interest is generated to make mixed doubles freestyle a regular event in the future. Freestyle Event Format: Two preliminary rounds and the final round are scheduled indoors for both singles and team freestyle, as well as demonstration rounds for mixed doubles freestyle. Intermediate singles competitors' routines will be limited to 90 seconds, while open singles routines will be limited to 2 minutes in each round. As per the new rule, open team routines will be limited to 3 minutes per round. Photo: Lisa Monti, left, Carol Wedemeyer San Francisco, California Photo by John Caveney.

Singles Timed Consecutive: This event is an outstanding discipline for measuring cardiovascular strength, endurance, concentration, and foot speed. Players try to accumulate as many consecutive kicks as possible in five minutes. Players lose 10 points (or 10 kicks) for each upper-body foul (contact above the player's waistline) and for each drop during the rally attempt. They lose 3 points (or 3 kicks) for not alternating feet or knees during the rally. All competitors have two tries (with a 10-minute rest between rallies) to record their best score. Competitors within reach of current world records (1017 men's, 769 women's) will be video-taped for Guinness World Record Book verification. All world records submited to Guinness must be free of all fouls. Each competitor video-taped must attend a video verification meeting.

Doubles Distance One-Pass Consecutive: This event gauges a team's ability to successively pass the footbag a distance of 10 feet. Players must remain behind the designated 10-foot distance lines during the rally attempts, so the event is excellent for isolating a team's passing skills, control, communication, and agility. Any upper-body foul, multiple kicks by one player, stepping on or across the 10-foot distance lines, or a drop during the rally attempt ends the rally. Competitors have three attempts (with 10 minutes between rallies) to accumulate their best team score. Each team submits the highest of the three rallies as their final score.

Footbag Golf: The fourth game created in footbag sports was footbag golf, with the first official game (organized by John Stalberger, Bruce Guettich, and Greg Cortopassi) played in Delta Park, Oregon, in August, 1982. The constant challenge, the social nature of the game, the good physical and mental conditioning, and the fact that it's inexpensive to play are major attractions. As in disc golf or original golf, play begins by teeing off. In footbag golf this is accomplished by using a hand toss to a kick. Players then proceed to kick the footbag through and around various hazards; they end by putting the footbag into a regulation footbag golf hole. A footbag golf course can be easily laid out using trees, rocks, or sign posts as object holes. A course that is short and technically difficult forces players to use all five basic kicks on both sides of the body. Footbag golf courses are normally eighteen holes in length, but there are also nine and twenty-seven hole courses. This year, Footbag Golf will be limited to two rounds, instead of the traditional three rounds. Footbag Golf is popular because it is a social game and fun for players of all skill levels. All entrants in the intermediate, open, and women's open categories may compete in footbag golf.

Event Categories

Each event (except mixed doubles events) has either two or three categories in which to compete. The categories identify skill level (intermediate or open) and player gender (women's or open). These categories are described below. Refer to the registration form on page 32 to see which categories are available for each event.

• Open -- available in all events and for all players (men/women) who want to challenge themselves against the best. Keep in mind that this is the top-level category in which players get the best experience. Some play better than expected, some get their socks blown off!

• Women's Open -- specifically for women preferring to compete only against other women. This category is for women of all abilities and is available in all events except mixed doubles footbag net. Women are not restricted to this category; they may compete in either of the other two categories. However, they must select only one category per event. (For example, a woman may not register for both open team freestyle and women's open team freestyle.)

• Intermediate -- for less-experienced players. This category offers up-and-coming players the experience of tournament play against many good players, but without having to face the world's greatest players. Winners in this category receive awards but do not receive prize money or "overall" points, except for application toward their club award.

• Women's Intermediate -- specifically for less-experienced women preferring to compete only against other women. This is available only in singles footbag net. Women's Intermediate offers an encouraging environment in which play is against other intermediate women, as opposed to the large intermediate singles field or the men acing top players in the women's open category.

Photo: Bill Langbehn of Oakland, California.
Photo by John Caveney.

Player Status

Players are divided into two status groups: amateur and professional.

• Amateurs -- beginning players still progressing or players competing just for fun and experience. The entry fee for amateurs is substantially lower; however, amateurs are not eligible for prize money.

• Professionals -- more advanced players competing for prize money (which this year will total at least $7,000). Player status indicates general playing ability, not ability per event. Therefore, both amateurs and professionals may or may not compete at the same skill level in the various events. For example, an amateur stronger in freestyle than in footbag net may register in the open category for freestyle, but in the intermediate category for singles or doubles footbag net. However, if a player is exceptional in an event and believes she/he has a chance to win in the open category (even if it's only one event), she/he must register as a professional to be eligible for prize money.

Protesting If a dispute arises during competition pertaining to a decision made by the event director or an official or to a result entered at the event, the protesting player(s) must follow normal protest procedures as set forth by the International Footbag Advisory Board (IFAB). See the 1996 Official Rules of Footbag Sports rule book, page 3, sections 108.01 through 108.05. The IFAB Rulebook is available on page 42. [Ed. Note: the IFAB Rulebook is also available on-line at <http://ifab.footbag.org>.] Overall Scoring The overall scoring system will be the same as last year's, but is subject to change by the head officials. The overall standings for men will be based on total scores in all open categories, excluding mixed doubles events. Women's overall standings will be based on total scores in all open and women's open categories, excluding mixed doubles events and open events where women are competing with men as partners.

Photo: Ann Lasken of Silver Spring, Maryland. Photo by John Caveney.

CONTENTS French Connection | Mentors | Three Stripes Tricks | Nervous? | Underground | Swift FootNotes | Events | Results | Entry Form | FootMART

Copyright © 1996 World Footbag Association.

On-Line Edition by Steven L. Goldberg, July, 1996.