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Channel the Dribbler

Move sideways to steer a dribbler toward the sideline without tackling yet.

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

Set up

Mark a 10 yard wide channel.

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

Ages
11 and up
Time
12 min
Players
You and a partner
Space
Yard or field
Bring
Stick, ball, cones, partner
Level · skill
Developing · Tackling

The steps

How it works

  1. Mark a 10 yard wide channel.
  2. Your partner dribbles at walking pace.
  3. Stay on the balls of your feet and push them toward one side.
  4. Do 10 turns each, then switch.

Coaching point

Show them the sideline.

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

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.

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

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