Bucket Basket

Children shoot soft balls into big buckets from a hoop on the floor, first very close and then one step farther. It is a first taste of mini basketball that works on the two-handed shot and adjusting strength.

How to play

1. The teacher spreads out large buckets with a hoop in front of each one and shows the shot: ball at the chest, two hands, push toward the bucket (2 min).
2. In groups of four per bucket, each child shoots from inside the hoop and goes to get their ball; there are no long waits because everyone has a ball (3 min).
3. The teacher moves the hoop one step back: we try scoring from a little farther away (3 min).
4. We shoot with the ball over our head, like the big kids (2 min).
5. Together we empty the buckets and put the balls back in the box (2 min).

Rules

• I shoot from inside the hoop.
• I get my ball when nobody is shooting in front of me.
• If it goes in, great; if not, I try again.
• We cheer for every basket, everyone's.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: raise the bucket on a chair beside the wheelchair and shoot from sitting.
• Visual impairment: tap the bucket so the child can hear where it is.
• Less skill: use bigger, softer balls and a wider target such as a box or a large trash can.

Learning goals

• Throw with two hands at a target.
• Adjust strength to distance.
• Enjoy a first taste of mini basketball.

Equipment for a class of 25

• Large buckets: 6
• Soft balls: 25
• Hoops: 6

Teacher tip

Nobody fetches balls while someone is shooting at their bucket, so agree on the word "Pick up!". Kids usually throw one-handed and too hard; keep repeating "push with two hands, nice and gentle".

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