When you think of a clothespin, you think, “Oh, that’s what old people used to hang up their laundry to dry outside.” But athletes across the nation in sports like volleyball, cheerleading, and track have put their own fun spin on these normally plain, basic clips.
The trending #clipping is seen on the TikTok platform where club volleyball players take customized clips and clip them onto spectators, players, and coaches. The players take the pins and try to sneakily clip them onto the unsuspecting’s backpack, hair, clothing, etc..
Although it is unclear where the trend began, some say it was cheerleading that started the sport clipping, and some say it was volleyball. But it’s not who started it that matters, it’s about spreading positivity. Some common phrases seen on the clips vary from sport to sport, but include messages like “good luck,” “cute hair,” “A-C-E!,” and “clipped.”
This trend has also emerged at AHS from the track to the hallways. Sophomore Payton Burg does track, and she said she was clipped at an away meet. When Burg found the clip, she said, “It made me happy.” Although she doesn’t remember exactly what it said, she said, “It wasn’t my first time getting clipped.” She said she had been clipped at dance competitions this year as well.
Sophomore Jacquie Freund has also been clipped while at school. She said the clip said Jeremiah 13:6. “It made me smile,” said Freund. She doesn’t know who clipped it on her bag, but she still appreciated it nonetheless. She has also since been clipped at school with a clip that said “clip a sophomore.” “So I passed on the clip by clipping it onto my friend’s bag,” said Freund, continuing to spread the positivity and surprise of finding a clip on your bag.
Freshmen Dylin Ball, Sophia Rose, and I, sophomore Lily Willrich, decided to spread positivity by making our clips for the Atlantic girls’ Tennis 2025 Hawkeye Ten Conference tournament on May 8. We gathered at my house the night before, with our supplies, paint, brushes, clothespins, and a few black Sharpies. Then, we set up the table with the paint sheet and everything else on top and got straight to work. We turned on our favorite songs on the TV in the shed, talked about our day, and had many laughs. We had a few sayings already in our minds for what we wanted to put on the clips, but looked to TikTok for more inspiration. There were several videos with fun clip decorations, sayings, and colors.
The next day, I distributed the clips with help from my teammates, friends, and other players. My favorite part was watching the faces of the girls and their reactions to seeing the clips on their bags. Lots laughed and several smiled, all looking around for the “culprit.” For the most part, I stayed incognito but was found out by some players and coaches. A few players from other teams told me they wanted to do clipping as well, but didn’t have time to make the clips. But several girls from other teams joined in on the fun by clipping their teammates and coaches, spreading the fun and positivity.
I am really glad that I participated in this trend. Positivity is really important to me. I try to stay positive, and I know on important meet days like this one, seeing a little clip of positivity can brighten your day, even just the slightest.
