Sport stacking is a sport that has swept the entire world and has proven itself a keeper in the eyes of kids and adults alike. The simple act of stacking and unstacking plastic cups has become so successful that there are now world-wide competitions, as well as local school competitions, and even friendly neighborhood tournaments.
What is Sport Stacking?
The actual term for the sport is "Sport Stacking." Speed Stacks are a brand of cups used for the sport. The company also makes other equipment and accessories used with sport stacking. Because of the popularity of the Speed Stacks company, the names have become somewhat synonymous in their meaning.
The sport can be an individual game or a team game. It is played with 12 plastic cups that are used to stack and unstack in a pre-determined order. They are usually stacked in a pyramid shape. Individual players can race against a clock to beat their own best times or someone else's in a competition. Teams play in a relay race style to compete against other teams.
What Skills Does it Require?
Almost flawless coordination skills are needed to stack and unstack the cups in a precise manner. Tipping and dropping cups causes a lot of lapsed time. The sport also requires agility, which is the ability to think and act quickly to stack and unstack cups in a pre-determined way.
Not only does sport stacking require a skill set to become good at the sport, but it also promotes skills needed to help kids perform above average in other sports as well. For instance, the ability to think and act fast helps with soccer and other team-based sports. Agility has helped tennis players improve their need to think and move fast on their feet, as well as with other individual-based sports.
Who is Sport Stacking?
As mentioned above, sport stacking is for individuals, as well as teams. Schools across the board are holding competitions and tournaments. You can also find the sport being played in day camps, at recreation centers, church youth groups, and even at daycare. It's everywhere! Visit Speed Stacks to find out more information about how to get your organization involved with this fast-paced, exciting sport.
More about Sport Stacking History
The sport was invented by Wayne Godinet in the 1980s. As with almost any new sport, it took a while for the idea of stacking and unstacking cups to take hold. The sport actually gained its popularity when it was aired on The Johnny Carson Show in 1995. From then on, the fame of this sport did not take long to reach the world.
So, Who Holds the Current World Record?
That would be Robin Stangenberg of Germany. He completed an individual Cycle Stack in 7.41 seconds! Find out how to do an Individual Cycle Stack and see if you can beat his record.
