Garbage Collector Goal

Name and Purpose

• Garbage Collector Goal mixes basketball, soccer, and creative passing in a fast-moving team game.
• Players practise communication, spatial awareness, and rule-following under mild time pressure.

a.k.a.

• Trash Can Ball, Can Basketball

Age / Group / Time / Space

• Ages 8-16 | 10-30 players | 15-25 minutes | Gym or outdoor court, approx. 20m x 15m

Materials

• 2 sturdy chairs with non-slip feet or rubber mats underneath
• 2 garbage cans or large buckets (lightweight, plastic)
• 1 soft foam ball or large rubber ball
• 4 cones for boundary markers

Quick-Run Card

1. Place chairs at opposite ends; goalies stand on chairs holding buckets.
2. Teams of equal size; captains do a jump ball at centre to start.
3. Advance the ball using the 3.3.3 rule (max 3 seconds, 3 steps, 3 bounces).
4. Score by lobbing the ball into your goalie’s bucket. Goalie may move the bucket but not step off the chair.
5. Whistle ends the round. Rotate goalie roles each round.

Setup and Boundaries

• Mark a rectangle with 4 cones. Chairs sit at each narrow end.
• Place rubber mats or folded towels under chair legs to prevent sliding.
• Signal: 1 short whistle = pause; 2 short whistles = stop and gather.
• Check surface for wet patches or debris before play.
• No physical contact between players.

How to Play

1. Divide into two teams. One player per team volunteers to be the Bucket Keeper (goalie). They stand on a chair and hold the bucket.
2. Play starts with a jump ball at centre.
3. Players advance the ball by dribbling, passing, or carrying it within the 3.3.3 rule (hold max 3 seconds, max 3 steps, max 3 bounces per turn). Breaking the rule gives the ball to the nearest opponent.
4. Score by tossing the ball into your team’s Bucket Keeper’s bucket. The Bucket Keeper may lean and shift the bucket but cannot leave the chair.
5. After a score, the scoring team gives up the ball and the other team restarts from their end.
6. Rotate the Bucket Keeper role at the end of each round.
7. Second Circle: players who need a break step to the sideline and become scorekeepers or signal-watchers. They call out scores and rejoin when ready.

I-OPt Options

• A (Active): Run as a forward or guard, advance the ball, contest possession.
• S (Support): Play the Bucket Keeper role, directing teammates and catching passes.
• Q (Quiet): Hold a boundary zone position, receive passes, play at a slower pace.
• O (Observer): Watch from the sideline, keep score, call out the 3.3.3 violations, rejoin when ready.

Inclusion Adaptations

• Players who cannot stand on a chair can serve as a floor-level Bucket Keeper, holding the bucket from a seated position on a crate or bench.
• Use a larger, softer ball for players who need a more catchable target.
• Walking-only rule can be applied to the whole game if the group needs a lower-intensity version.

Stewardship Moment

• After play, players help return chairs and cones and do a 60-second ground check for any dropped items.
• Reflection: “How did your team decide who played which role? What helps everyone contribute?”

Consent

• Pre-brief: “This game involves some light ball-passing competition. For those not comfortable with jumping or contact, the Bucket Keeper role or a boundary position is a great option.”
• Mid-game check: After 5 minutes, pause. “Thumbs up, sideways, or down. How is everyone feeling?”
• Opt-out/re-entry: Players raise a hand to step to the sideline and become scorekeepers. Call out “In!” to rejoin.

Risks and Mitigation

• Goalie falling from chair: ensure chairs are stable, use rubber mats, remind Bucket Keepers to plant both feet firmly.
• Collisions during ball scrambles: enforce no-contact rule verbally before play and again at any violation.
• Ball thrown too hard: use a soft foam ball and remind players to throw within control distance.

Warm-Up Suggestions

• “Number Pass”: stand in a circle, pass the ball while counting aloud. Each missed catch resets to 1.
• “Bucket Freeze”: one player holds a bucket, others try to toss a ball in from different distances.

Debrief Questions

• What? “What did you notice about the 3.3.3 rule? Was it easy or tricky to follow?”
• So What? “How did your team communicate to score a point?”
• Now What? “Where else do you have to follow a timing or step rule to make things fair?”

Cleanup and Reset

• Return chairs to their original location.
• Return buckets and ball to the equipment area.
• Do a quick 60-second sweep of the play space for any dropped items.