Kan Jam is an excellent game to add to your physical education curriculum. Check out 8 instructional videos from PLT4M that break down the key elements to frisbee and Kan Jam like throwing, catching, deflecting, general game play, and scoring.
Why Kan Jam For Physical Education
Kan Jam is the perfect game for physical education because it is fun for students, standards-aligned, and sets the foundation for future flying disc games.
Fun – Kan Jam is a fast-paced game where players with different abilities can find enjoyment and success. In addition, Kan Jam can be played just about anywhere, making it an excellent addition to a lifetime fitness curriculum.
Standards Aligned – Kan Jam aligns with many Shape America National Standards. For example, students develop motor skills and movement patterns like throwing, catching, and deflecting (S1). In addition, they work on important personal and social behaviors through teamwork and playing in a competitive game (S4). (Other standards are also addressed and can be reviewed more thoroughly by fully exploring grade-level standards and outcomes here.)
Foundation For Future – While Kan Jam is an excellent physical education activity, it also helps set the foundation for future games like Ultimate Frisbee or Disc Golf. Starting with a close stationary game like Kan Jam allows students to build fundamental frisbee skills essential for more dynamic flying disc games like Ultimate or farther distance games like Disc Golf.
8 Kan Jam Videos For Physical Education
Below, you will find 8 Kan Jam videos for physical education that break down the following elements of the game:
- Backhand Frisbee Throwing
- Underhand Frisbee Throwing
- Thumbs Down Frisbee Catching
- Thumbs Up Frisbee Catching
- Angling Your Frisbee Throw
- Deflecting A Frisbee
- Kan Jam General Game Play Rules
- Kan Jam Scoring Rules
Colman Lydon, middle school PE teacher, leads this video series and gives helpful tips and tricks for Kan Jam. In addition to the videos, click on any of the corresponding notes for detailed instructions and ideas for building this into your PE lesson plans. Let’s dive in!
Frisbee Basics – Throwing & Catching
Before diving into the game of Kan Jam, let’s start by practicing the basics of frisbee throwing and catching.
Throwing the frisbee is an integral part of playing Kan Jam, so practicing our throwing technique has obvious benefits.
While catching is not a part of the actual Kan Jam game, there will be times that an errant throw will lead you to catch the frisbee rather than go for a deflection. In addition, catching is a great skill to practice during this unit because it will help prepare us for other frisbee activities like ultimate in the future.
Putting It Into Practice:
After watching the four instructional videos, let’s put this into practice. If you don’t have a partner, practice by throwing to a target. With a partner or partners, spend a few minutes throwing and catching the frisbee at any of the following distances:
10-15 feet
15-20 feet
20-30 feet
30-40 feet
40-50 feet
(Find a distance you can throw the frisbee with consistency before moving farther apart)
While we include the underhand throw for students to try, we recommend spending most of your time practicing and mastering the backhand throw. When it comes to catching, that will be determined based on the height of the throw as it approaches you.
Start all your throwing practice with a parallel release. Later we will practice with different angles.
Backhand Frisbee Throw
The Set Up:
– The thumb is on the top of the disc.
– Your index finger should be against the edge.
– Your remaining fingers should touch underside.
– Stand in a 90-degree angle slightly facing away from your target – your throwing hand/foot should be in front. (For example – Right hand throw, your right foot should be in front.)
The Throw:
– Point the frisbee at your target.
– Draw the frisbee back towards your body with your elbow pointing up and outward.
– Move your arm forward quickly and straighten your arm.
-As your arm is almost fully extended, flick your wrist and release the frisbee towards the target.
Underhand Frisbee Throw
The Set Up:
– The thumb is on the top of the disc (same as backhand).
– Your index finger should be against the edge (same as backhand).
– Your remaining fingers should touch underside (same as backhand).
– Face the target in an open stance position.
The Throw:
– Hold the disc at the side of your point, still facing the target.
– You can step with either leg. Step with your opposite leg for more stability or with your throwing leg for more power.
– Once the throwing arm is in front of the body, release the frisbee towards the target.
Thumbs Down Frisbee Catch
The thumb-down catch is used for catching when the frisbee is received at the waist level or above. This catch can be performed with one or two hands.
– Like an alligator’s mouth, open your hands with your thumb facing down and other fingers spread open.
– As the frisbee approaches, position yourself to soften the frisbee as it hits your hands.
– Squeeze down with your thumb and fingers to catch the frisbee.
Thumbs Up Frisbee Catch
The thumb-up catch is used for catching when the frisbee is received below waist level. This catch can be performed with one or two hands.
– Open your hands with your thumb facing up and other fingers spread open.
– As the frisbee approaches, position yourself to soften the frisbee as it hits your hands.
– Squeeze down with your thumb and fingers to catch the frisbee.
Varying Your Frisbee Throw Angle
Now that we have practiced throwing and catching the frisbee, we are ready to add in the kans! Once we are ready to add in the Kan Jams as targets, we want to be aware of the different types of shots and angles to use.
First we will practice the angle of our release to change the flight direction of the frisbee. After we practice parallel, up, and down angle shots, we will then see how they relate to the game of Kan Jam.
Our more common shot is the float shot. Our goal of this shot is to have the frisbee arrive ABOVE the kan height so that your partner can redirect the frisbee to hit or go into the kan. Here we will release either a parallel or up angle shot.
Our least common shot is the direct hit shot. Our goal of this shot is to have the frisbee arrive AT the kan so that it can hit the kan. This shot is typically only used when looking to score 2 points exactly. Here we will release either a parallel or down angle shot.
Players can spend some time warming up and practicing these different shots. Remember, we want to throw the frisbee hard enough it arrives to the kan, but not so hard that our partner is unable to safely deflect the frisbee. (Frisbee jammed fingers hurt!)
Throws
Depending on the angle of your release, your frisbee will move in different directions. Next, we will work on three different types of angles that are most common. The same rules apply for both the backhand and underhand throw. But for the purposes of this video, we will stick with the more common backhand throw:
Parallel Release: With this throw, we want the disc to fly in a straight line. This means we will work to release the frisbee so that it is flat and parallel with the ground. This is the easiest throw to direct. Your pointer thumb and pointer finger should be even and parallel.
Up Angle Release: With this throw, we want the disc to fly upwards. This means we will work to release the frisbee so that it tilts up upon release. Now, your thumb should be facing down closer to the ground and your pointer finger should be facing slightly higher.
Down Angle Release: With this throw, we want the disc to fly downward. This means we will work to release the frisbee so that it tilts down upon release. Now, your thumb should be facing up slightly higher in the air and your pointer finger should be facing down closer to the ground.
Deflecting A Frisbee
A unique element of Kan Jam is deflecting the frisbee. Deflecting is the act of hitting or striking the frisbee towards the kan or target. Before jumping into an actual game of Kan Jam, spend some time warming up. With a partner, practice alternating as a thrower and deflector. Below you will find some tips, skills, and rules around deflecting.
– Players can deflect the frisbee using one or two hands.
– If there is a clean throw towards the kan, position yourself in an athletic stance so that when the frisbee arrives you are facing towards the kan. Strike the frisbee in a fluid motion directing it towards the bucket or side of the kan.
– If there isn’t a clean throw, you may need to move and hit the frisbee off balance. Still work to get in a good position so that your body is facing towards the can when you go to strike.
– Deflectors cannot double hit, catch, or carry the frisbee.
– Deflectors can move anywhere within the playing area and do not have to stand behind the kan at all times.
Kan Jam Rules
Once you are ready to start playing Kan Jam, reviewing the basic rules and game play instructions can have you ready to go for your first game. There are lots of variations to Kan Jam, and it is important to work with your group (all 4 players) to make sure you agree on the set of rules you will play by.
Depending on how you play will make the game easier or harder. For example:
Kan Jam Distance: Closer Distance=Easier —–> Farther Distance=Harder
The official distance between kans is 50 feet. However, when playing Kan Jam it is absolutely okay to bring the kans closer and start at 40, 30, 20 or even closer to learn and develop your skills.
Deflecting: 1 or 2 Handed Deflecting Allowed = Easier —–> Only 1 Handed Deflecting Allowed = Harder
Find the right fit of game play for you and your group so that everyone can have fun and be successful! The goal is for everyone to have a fun game of Kan Jam.
Kan Jam Game Play
Each team has 2 players with partners standing at opposite kans, throwing and deflecting.
One partner throws the frisbee, and the other partner redirects.
After both partners complete one throw each, the frisbee is passed to the opposing team
The game continues alternating team turns until exactly 21 points is reached or there is an Instant Win.
Players must remain behind the kan line when throwing.
The deflector can move anywhere within the playing area to redirect the disc.
The opposing team cannot obstruct the play in any way and should “stand clear” of the area when it is not their turn.
Kan Jam Scoring
1 Point – Dinger – Redirected Hit – Deflector redirects thrown disc to hit any side of the kan
2 Points – Deuce – Direct Hit – Thrower hits the side of the kan, unassisted by partner
3 Points – Bucket – Slam Dunk – Deflector redirects teh thrown disc and it lands inside the kan.
Game Over – Instant Win – Direct Entry – Thrower lands the disc inside the instant win slot, unassisted by partner
No points are awarded if a throw or deflection hits the ground before striking the goal
A team must reach an exactly 21 points to win.
If a team goes above 21 points, the points from that play are deducted from their current score and play continues. For example, if a team has 20 points and score a “BUCKET” (3 points) their score is reduced to 17. (Other styles of games include dropping the score to 17, 15, 13, or 11 regardless of how many points you go over, but these versions can lead to longer games.)
Teams must complete an equal number of turns before the game is over.
In the event of a tie, the winner is decided by a tiebreaker.
Each team complete one round of throws and the team with the most points wins.
Key Takeaways on Kan Jam For Physical Education
Kan Jam is a great addition to any physical education curriculum. Some of the key takeaways to Kan Jam for physical education include:
Introduce and review the basic elements of throwing and catching a frisbee.
Kan Jam can be played with a variety of different rules and modifications via distance and deflecting. Help students to find the right fit for their experience level.
Use this unit as an opportunity to set a foundation for future frisbee games.
Draw connections for students so that they can see the real-world opportunity for playing Kan Jam and other frisbee activities in their own personal lives.
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