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.
One on One Defending
Defend a small goal in a one-on-one game, with a coach running it.
By Coach Evan Waechtler Youth coach (U11, Cache Valley, Utah) and founder of SSTracker Updated October 30, 2026
Set up
Mark a 10 by 15 yard box with a cone goal.
Core: Jogs. Beat your own run of steady shadows.
- Ages
- 14 and up
- Time
- 15 min
- Players
- You and a partner
- Space
- Yard or field
- Bring
- Stick, ball, cones, partner, mouthguard, shin guards
- Level · skill
- Advanced · Tackling
The steps
How it works
- Mark a 10 by 15 yard box with a cone goal.
- Channel the attacker, wait for a heavy touch, then tackle the ball.
- Play 30 second rounds and rest between.
- Do 8 rounds.
Coaching point
Patience, then pounce on the ball.
Safety: Live tackling only with a coach watching. Mouthguard and shin guards on, ball on the ground, stick below the shoulder. Wear protective eyewear (ASTM F2713) where your league requires it.
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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