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Throw to the Bucket

Throw beanbags or rolled-up socks into a bucket from close by: underhand first, then overhand. Throwing at a target builds hand-eye coordination.

By Coach Evan Waechtler Youth coach (U11, Cache Valley, Utah) and founder of SSTracker Updated October 30, 2026

Set up

Put a bucket or a big box 2 or 3 big steps away.

Ages
4 to 6
Time
3 min
Players
Just you
Space
Yard or field
Bring
Bucket or a big box, 5 beanbags or rolled-up socks
Level · skill
Beginner · Catching

The steps

How it works

  1. Put a bucket or a big box 2 or 3 big steps away.
  2. Show an underhand throw: swing the arm back, then forward.
  3. Your child throws the beanbags one at a time.
  4. Collect them together and try again from one step further back.

Coaching point

Praise the try: “Nice big swing! Let’s try again.”

Safety: Soft things only: beanbags or rolled-up socks, thrown at the bucket, never at a person. Nobody near the bucket while they throw.

Make it fun

Play it, don't drill it

Game version

Let the child be the coach for a turn: show the grown-up how to do “Throw to the Bucket”, then swap.

Story

You are a superhero in training, and “Throw to the Bucket” is today’s mission.

Practice makes progress

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