U.S.U.C.C.
U.S.U.C.C.
A Fun Youth Group Game
Watch the Tutorial Video
U.S.U.C.C. (Uncontrollable Soccer Under Crazy Conditions) is a fast-paced team game that forces players to communicate, work together, and adapt to unexpected challenges.
Overview
Ideal # of Participants: 10 or more
Where to Play: Indoor / Outdoor
Age of Participants: Middle School / High School
Approximate Time to Play: 15–30 minutes
Materials Needed: 2 Chairs, Throwable Ball
How to Play U.S.U.C.C.
Split your group into two even teams.
Set up two folding chairs approximately 50 feet apart. If you’re playing on a basketball court, the distance between the free-throw lines works well.
This game can also be played outdoors, which my group particularly enjoys.
The chairs will serve as your goals. Instead of kicking a ball into a net or throwing it through a hoop, teams have to throw the ball into the hands of a player standing on the chair.
We’ll call this player the goalie, even though they aren’t really protecting the goal. They are the goal!
Start With a Jump Ball
Each round begins with a jump ball at the center of the playing area.
You can use a dodgeball, kickball, or really any type of throwable ball.
Once one team gains possession, the movement and passing begin to resemble Ultimate Frisbee.
If you’re holding the ball, you cannot move your feet. This means you’ll need to rely on your teammates and passing to move the ball down the field.
But that’s not the only unusual rule.
The One-Hand Rule
The players on the field are only allowed to use one hand.
With my group, I like to let the girls use their dominant hand while the boys are required to use their non-dominant hand.
This simple rule makes passing, catching, and controlling the ball much more difficult and forces players to adapt their normal playing style.
The Ball Can Touch the Ground
There’s another important difference between U.S.U.C.C. and Ultimate Frisbee.
If the ball touches the ground, your team does not lose possession.
The ball remains available for your team to pick back up.
Smart players may realize that they can even roll the ball in front of them for a short distance and pick it back up just before the defense arrives.
Since this is a non-contact game, defenders aren’t allowed to slap the ball out of someone’s hands. They can, however, intercept passes.
How to Score in U.S.U.C.C.
As teams move up and down the field through passing and dribbling, eventually one team will get close enough to their goalie to attempt a shot.
To score, a player needs to throw the ball to their goalie over the defenders but low enough for the goalie to catch it.
If the goalie successfully catches the ball, that team earns one point.
The goalie can use both hands, making this final pass a little easier.
However, there are some important safety rules for the goalie.
Goalie Safety Rules
The goalie’s feet cannot leave the chair.
Standing on the chair is fine, but jumping or leaning too far can become dangerous.
For the same reason, none of the other players are allowed to touch or bump into the goalie.
These rules help keep the game competitive while making sure everyone stays safe.
How to Win U.S.U.C.C.
After a team scores, reset everyone to the middle of the playing area and start another round with a jump ball.
Continue playing until one team reaches 7 points.
The first team to 7 points wins!
Tips for Playing U.S.U.C.C.
- Make sure the two chairs are sturdy and placed on a stable surface.
- Clearly establish the boundaries of the playing area before beginning.
- Remind students that players on the field can only use one hand.
- Emphasize that the goalie must keep both feet on the chair.
- Don’t allow players to touch, bump, or push the goalie.
- Encourage students to look for creative ways to move the ball since they can’t run while holding it.
- If you’re playing outdoors, make sure the playing surface is relatively flat and free of obstacles.
Lesson Handout
Want to make this easy to share with your volunteers or students? Download the “U.S.U.C.C.” 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.
