We’re taking a slightly different approach to this week’s Go Try It piece. Whereas we usually tell you about something specific in the city that you can go try, this time we’re going to tell you about some fun stuff you can do pretty much anywhere – if you have the equipment.
We tried out Kan Jam, a game involving flying discs and glorified rolled-up plastic sleds. You’ve probably seen it played by now – it’s begun to take over barbecues all over the world.
If you don’t have Kan Jam, you can pick up a set at places like Dick’s Sporting Goods, Olympia Sports, Target and Walmart – all of which happen to have locations in Concord. How convenient.
Once that’s out of the way, it’s time to play.
It’s meant to be played with four players, but since Tim and I have always played pretty fast and loose with the rules, we gave it a go as a one-on-one contest. You’ll like it a lot better with the intended two-person teams, though, as that’s kind of the whole point of the game.
There’s two open-topped cylinders set up across the yard from each other, and each one has a narrow slot in it just big enough for a flying disc to pass through. You throw the disc and try to either hit the can, get it through the slot (a very tough task), or get it close enough to your teammate to have him or her deflect the disc into or off of the can.
Most of the game consists of trying for the teammate deflection play. Going for the slot should be considered a Hail Mary kind of play, but if executed, it’s game over. (Some people play where throwing it right into the top of the can on the fly is also game over, though that’s not an official rule – we played with that rule in play.)
Hitting the can on the fly is worth 2 points. If your teammate deflects your throw and the disc hits the can, that’s 1 point. And if your teammate hits the disc into the top of the can, it’s a big 3 points. Games go to 21 – unless someone ends it by getting in through the mail slot.
It’s a fun game for four people that really gets everyone involved. And like many other great games, there’s plenty of room for improvisation and house rules. Play from 50 feet or 12 feet, change the scoring scale, play to 31 – who’s gonna tell you what to do when you’re in your own backyard?
That’s the beauty of most great outdoor games – you can pretty much make up your own rules as you go if you want.
The game Tim and I played was admittedly less thrilling than a proper two-on-two match, but a good time nonetheless.
Once you’ve mastered Kan Jam, you should also think about getting into the world of disc golf. There are several nice courses close by (though, sadly, none in Concord) and plenty of places to get equipment – pretty much the same places that carry Kan Jam.
If you’re not much of a golfer, you could always take up Ultimate Frisbee, arguably the most athletic of the disc sports (no disrespect). To play an honest game, you’d need a big yard or a park. But there are plenty of those around, so go try all of these games!
July 7, 2016
You should give Rollors a try.