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Dribbling Past a Walking Defender

Use a fake and a change of direction to get past a partner who defends at walking pace.

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

10 YARDS15 YARDS
SetupMark a 10 by 15 yard channel.

Core: Steady. Beat your own clean runs.

Ages
14 and up
Time
15 min
Players
You and a partner
Space
Yard or field
Bring
Stick, ball, cones, partner
Level · skill
Advanced · Dribbling

The steps

How it works

  1. Mark a 10 by 15 yard channel.
  2. Your partner walks in to defend; no tackling, just positioning.
  3. Fake one way, then dribble past on the other side.
  4. Count how many of 15 tries reach the end line.

Coaching point

Sell the fake.

Safety: Wear your mouthguard and shin guards. Wear protective eyewear (ASTM F2713) where your league requires it. Keep your stick below your waist if you are young, never above your shoulder, or follow your league's rule.

Make it fun

Play it, don't drill it

Game version

Slalom relay: dribble the cone line, then your partner goes. The pair adds up clean runs in 60 seconds with no cones knocked over.

Challenge

Pick a level: Less (big touches), Core (steady), More (eyes up while a partner shows you a number). Beat your own clean runs.

Story

You are a skier on a slalom course, and every cone is a gate.

My best

Beat your own count

Beat your own clean runs. Only your own number counts: today against last time.

Practice makes progress

Print it now, or save it free

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