Game version
Shadow-stick game: stay in front of your partner with your stick low and ready, and with no stick or body contact. Swap.
Block Tackle Shape
Learn the block tackle: stick flat on the ground as a wall in front of you, with no partner.
By Coach Evan Waechtler Youth coach (U11, Cache Valley, Utah) and founder of SSTracker Updated October 30, 2026
Set up
Get low with knees bent and feet wide.
Core: Jogs. Beat your own run of steady shadows.
- Ages
- 7 and up
- Time
- 8 min
- Players
- Just you
- Space
- Yard or field
- Bring
- Stick, ball
- Level · skill
- Beginner · Tackling
The steps
How it works
- Get low with knees bent and feet wide.
- Lay the stick flat along the ground with the flat side facing out.
- Hold for 5 seconds, stand up, and repeat.
- Do 20 holds, then roll a ball into your stick.
Coaching point
Low body, stick flat.
Safety: Wear your mouthguard and shin guards. Wear protective eyewear (ASTM F2713) where your league requires it. Play the ball, never the stick or the body, and go at walking pace first.
Make it fun
Play it, don't drill it
Challenge
Pick a level: Less (partner walks), Core (jogs), More (changes direction). Beat your own run of steady shadows.
Story
You are a castle guard holding the bridge.
My best
Beat your own count
Beat your own run of steady shadows. Only your own number counts: today against last time.
Practice makes progress
Print it now, or save it free
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