One-Bounce Bucket Toss
In groups of three, students toss a tennis ball so it bounces exactly once on the ground and lands inside a bucket. It builds indirect aiming, reading the ball's path, and adjusting the force and angle of the toss.
How to play
- Set up 8 stations, each with a bucket on the floor and two throwing cones at 6 and 10 feet (2 and 3 m). Make groups of 3 with one tennis ball per student (2 minutes).
- First, each student bounces the ball with one hand and catches it, tossing it a little farther forward each time (2 minutes).
- Taking turns, each player tosses underhand from the 6-foot cone so the ball bounces once before the bucket and drops in. A ball that goes in without bouncing doesn't count.
- Each basket is 1 point. When all 3 have tossed, the first player collects the balls and starts the next round (6 minutes).
- Next, toss from 10 feet with a hoop on the floor in front of the bucket: if the ball bounces inside the hoop and goes in, it's worth double (4 minutes).
- Final round: each group adds up its baskets in 3 minutes, then rotates to a station with a smaller or farther bucket.
Rules
- Toss underhand from behind the cone.
- Nobody collects balls until all three have tossed.
- A ball that bounces twice or goes in without bouncing doesn't count.
- Wait your turn beside the cone.
Variations
Easier
Use a big box instead of a bucket and toss from 5 feet.
Standard
Bucket at 6 or 10 feet with exactly one bounce.
Harder
Toss with the non-dominant hand, or make the bounce land inside a small hoop.
Adaptations
- Limited mobility: a student using a wheelchair tosses at a wider, closer bucket.
- Visual impairment: a partner taps the bucket to guide the toss and says where the ball bounced.
- Skill level: each player picks the 6- or 10-foot cone based on their success.
Learning goals
- Toss by judging the bounce point needed to reach a target.
- Adjust force and angle to the distance.
- Watch and correct your own toss after each try.
Equipment for a class of 25
- tennis balls: 25
- buckets: 8
- cones: 16
- hoops: 8
Teacher tip
Use the smoothest part of the blacktop or gym floor, since uneven ground gives bad bounces. Give a simple cue: "Make it bounce halfway there."
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