Bucket Blitz
Bucket Blitz
A Fun Youth Group Game
Watch the Tutorial Video
What happens when you combine ultimate frisbee, basketball, and a trashcan? You get a fun youth group game…
Overview
Ideal # of Participants: 6 to 40
Where to Play: Indoors
Age of Participants: Elementary School / Middle School / High School
Approximate Time to Play: 15 to 40 Minutes
Materials Needed: Sports Ball, Two Trashcans, Painter’s Tape
How to Play Bucket Blitz
Set up two scoring areas by creating a circle about 8–10 feet in diameter on opposite ends of a basketball court or other large playing space. Place a full-sized trash can in the center of each circle.
Divide your group into two teams. The objective is simple: score more points than the opposing team by getting the ball into the trash can on their side of the court.
Not every basket is worth the same number of points.
- 1 Point: Place the ball into the trash can while standing inside the circle.
- 3 Points: Shoot the ball into the trash can from outside the circle.
- 5 Points: Bounce the ball off the floor and into the trash can from outside the circle.
Teams should constantly decide whether to play it safe for one point or take a risk for a higher-value shot.
Movement Rules
The most unique part of Bucket Blitz is that players cannot run while holding the ball. As soon as you catch or pick up the ball, you must immediately stop and keep your feet planted. You can pivot on one foot to pass around defenders, but you cannot walk or run with the ball. Defenders must stay at least an arm’s length away from the player holding the ball, similar to the rules used in Ultimate Frisbee.
One important difference from Ultimate Frisbee is how possession works. Whenever the ball touches the ground, either team may recover it. This creates exciting scramble situations and keeps the pace of the game moving.
Fun Variations
Once your group understands the basic rules, try adding one of these variations to keep the game fresh.
- Everyone must use only their non-dominant hand.
- Any baskets scored by girls are worth double points.
- Add a second ball to increase the chaos and strategy.
After about 20 minutes, the team with the most points wins!
Lesson Handout
Want to make this easy to share with your volunteers or students? Download the “Bucket Blitz” Lesson Handout (PDF) below!
Where Games Meet God's Word...
Most leaders just look for games to play, but miss their true value. When used well, games help teach your lesson, because experiential learning is by far the most effective way to teach a lesson that sticks.
If you want to see this principle in action, check out Uplift, our FREE youth group lesson that is built for engagement. It contains a fun game, but then your students’ experience from the game ties into the Christ-centered message you’ll teach.
