Blueprint Description[]
A ping-pong ball weighs 2.8 grams (0.1 ounces) and has a diameter of approximately 4 centimeters (1.5 inches). In this challenge, standing from 1.5 meters (five feet) away, the contestant must bounce the balls from the floor to the wall, with enough precision and velocity, that they can be caught in a bucket fixed to their head. This must be repeated three times.
Game Description[]
Catch balls in a bucket fixed to the head.
History[]
This is a multi-level challenge, having been played in levels 1, 2, and 4, whereas in level 2, the contestant needs to catch five balls, and in level 4 (level 5 in Australia), ten. There is also a team version at level 1 where each player needs to catch 2 or 3 balls.
Household Items:[]
- Ping-pong balls
- wall with a foul line on the ground 1.5m/5' away
- "bucket headgear" made of small bucket or water jug with top cut off and materials like a sweatband to keep it affixed to the head.
Set Up:[]
When the clock starts, player may grab 1 ball at a time and bounce it so that it hits the floor then wall before attempting to catch it in the bucket headgear.
Rules:[]
1. Prior to game start, contestant wears container hat with hands at sides. Ping-pong balls will be on a table adjacent to the playing area.
2. Once game begins, contestant may grab only one ball at a time to bounce and attempt to catch.
3. Contestant must release a ball from the hand before grabbing another ball to throw.
4. Ball must bounce floor to wall to bucket to count towards a player's total.
5. All balls must be thrown and caught behind the foul line.
6. Any balls thrown or caught in front of the line will not count towards the player's total.
7. Contestant may not play the challenge from a kneeling or seated position.
8. Incidental knee or hand contact to the floor is acceptable.
9. Ball must make direct contact from wall to bucket in order to score.
10. If a previously caught ball falls out of the bucket, that ball does not count towards the final score.
11. Contestant may not touch bucket apparatus during an attempt to score.
12. Any ball thrown or caught while contestant's hand is on bucket apparatus will not count toward final score.
13. If balls obstruct the play area, contestant may clear them before making an attempt.
14. To complete the game, contestant must catch and concurrently retain five ping-pong balls within the 60-second time limit. a. Any ball released within the 60-second time limit may count toward the final score.
Tips And Tricks:[]
Make sure the bucket is secure on your head so you won't have to waste time adjusting it. Practice throwing the ball at different angles to find the best one to achieve the correct height for catching.
- As you bounce the balls, try to aim for the wall at a spot that is slightly above your head. This will give you a better angle for catching the balls in the bucket.
- Practice your bouncing and catching technique before starting the game. This will help you get a feel for the timing and trajectory of the balls and improve your chances of success.
- Try to throw the balls with enough force to reach the wall, but not so much that they go too high or too fast.
- As the ball bounces off the wall, try to anticipate its trajectory and position yourself so that you can catch it in the bucket.
- Position yourself so that you are facing the wall at a slight angle. This will help you get a better angle for bouncing the balls and make it easier to catch them in the bucket.