Youth Group Games – Trash Can Ball

Trash Can Ball is great for running out some of that extra energy teens always seem to have. It’s fun and easy to learn, even if you are not athletic, you can participate in Trash Can Ball.

You will need the following items to play Trash Can Ball: 2 Trash Cans (any size will work but a 13 gallon or larger works best); 2 Nerf-like balls (more if you play one of the variations); 2 Trash bags (optional ~ this is for inside the trash cans to keep the balls clean) that fit your size trash can.

Your play area needs to be divided in half, putting one trash can (I like Rubbermaid because they are flexible and kids won’t get hurt while guarding the trash cans) at the back of each play area.  Mark a line three feet in front of the trash can. This marks the goalie area and should look similar to a basket ball court or soccer field).

You can use one or more Nerf balls, depending on your group and funds as well as the variation you want to play. Using different colors really adds to the fun.

This game works best with three or more players on each team and teams should be even if possible.  You need one person from each team to start by taking the Nerf-like ball and trying to make a “basket” (tossing the ball into the opponents trash can)  while the opposing team tries to keep the ball from going into their trash can.

The players not shooting a basket (the ones without the ball) should be guarding their basket or blocking the shots (much like basketball without the dribbling). The goalie stands behind the line (marked three feet infront of the trash can for that team) and cannot step in front of the three foot line in front of the trash can.

If you have more than three player per team, one player should be on the sidelines keeping track of their points by watching to see how many baskets are made for each team. Baskets only count if they don’t bounce out of the trash can.

The goalie must toss the ball back into play immediately where either team can get the ball and try to make a basket.

If you have more than 4 player for a team, it may be best to have more than two teams and have a tournament.

The game can play for a set time of 10 minutes and then they can switch possitions  so the counter gets a turn to play.  Each basket is a point and you can set a score they must reach to be the winning team or set a time limit and see who has the most points..

Keep in mind, the smaller the Rubbermaid trash can, the harder it is to make a basket.

To make it more interesting, change things up a little and provide 20 small Nerf balls. Each team starts with 10 Nerf balls. They shoot until time is up or until they run out of balls. If the opponent’s ball goes into your section, you can shoot it as your ball. It is possible that one team could have more than 10 balls in their basket.

Use a Spongee ball instead of a Nerf ball to give the game a different look. You can find the directions for making a Spongee at the following link: http: Spongee Ball

Tags: Nerf, Party Game Ideas, Recreation, Sport, Youth Group Activity, Youth Group Games