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Defensive Slide Lanes

Learn the defensive stance and slide without crossing your feet.

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

Set up

Get low in a stance: feet wide, chest up, hands out.

Core: Jogs. Beat your own run of steady slides.

Ages
7 and up
Time
8 min
Players
Just you
Space
Gym or court
Bring
Court lines or tape
Level · skill
Beginner · Defense

The steps

How it works

  1. Get low in a stance: feet wide, chest up, hands out.
  2. Slide along the lane line to the other side without crossing your feet.
  3. Slide back. That is one rep. Do 10 reps.
  4. Add a quick drop-step at each end.

Coaching point

Butt down, chest up, push with the back foot.

Make it fun

Play it, don't drill it

Game version

Mirror slides: a partner walks side to side and you stay in front in a defensive stance, with no contact. Swap often.

Challenge

Pick a level: Less (partner walks), Core (jogs), More (changes direction). Beat your own run of steady slides.

Story

You are a shadow that sticks to its owner.

My best

Beat your own count

Beat your own run of steady slides. Only your own number counts: today against last time.

Practice makes progress

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