KanJam
Officially KanJam Ultimate Disc Game
AMERICAN OUTDOOR YARD GAME (2010s) — 2 TEAMS of 2 stand on OPPOSITE ENDS of a 50-FT LAWN each with a PERFORATED PLASTIC CYLINDER ('KAN'). One partner THROWS a FLYING DISC (~185 g Frisbee-style); OTHER PARTNER 'DEFLECTS' the disc INTO the KAN (side hit = 1 pt, top hit = 2 pt, slot-in through side = INSTANT WIN 'INSTANT'). First to 21 wins. Fast-paced + party-friendly; commercialized 2006 by Charles Sciandra (Buffalo, NY); AMAZON best-seller; heavily marketed on ESPN 'SportsCenter Top 10' after viral hits.
Quick facts
Category
Ball Sports
Type
Team sport
Players
4–4
Duration
~20 min
Where played
outdoor
Field / court
Grass, sand, or turf yard
Country of origin
🇺🇸 United States
Estimated origin
Invented late 1990s in Buffalo, NY by Paul Swisher; commercialized 2006 by Charles Sciandra under KanJam brand; grew via viral ESPN highlights + Amazon retail; official KanJam World Championships since 2011.
Olympic
No
Popularity
regional
How it works
Objective
Reach EXACTLY 21 points via combination of DEFLECTIONS + DIRECT HITS + INSTANT WIN.
Rules
Basic rules
SETUP: 2 kans 50 ft apart; 1 teammate at each kan
Signature 50-ft opposing setup.
SCORING: DINGER = teammate DEFLECTS disc onto kan (1 pt); DEUCE = disc hits kan directly (2 pt); BUCKET/INSTANT = disc thrown into slot (INSTANT WIN)
Signature 1-2-instant scoring.
TURNS ALTERNATE: teams alternate throws (both partners throw once per team turn)
Signature alternating throws.
MUST HIT EXACTLY 21: over-21 doesn't count (like darts); must be exact
Signature exact-21 rule.
REDEMPTION SHOT: if team reaches 21 exactly, opponent gets 1 last throw attempt — must land INSTANT to steal win
Signature redemption throw.
Scoring
Direct hit 2; deflected hit 1; slotted disc = instant win.
Win condition · First to exactly 21 (or instant slot win any time).
Playing area
Called
Grass, sand, or turf yard
Dimensions
Kans placed 50 ft apart (10 ft closer for kids/beginners)
Equipment
KAN: perforated cylindrical plastic goal ~24 in tall × 15 in dia with SLOT on side (1 per team, 2 total)
Signature perforated goal cylinder.
DISC: 185 g flying disc (official KanJam disc similar to Frisbee)
Signature 185 g disc.
Terminology
- Dinger
- 1-pt deflection into kan side.
- Deuce
- 2-pt direct hit on kan.
- Instant
- Disc slotted through kan slot — instant win.
- Redemption
- Opponent's final attempt after 21 reached.
Where it is played
Governing bodies
KanJam LLC (rules + brand)
Founded 2006 · Buffalo, NY, USA
Sources & provenance
- Wikipedia — KanJam— Wikipedia
- KanJam official— KanJam LLC