Game version
Soft-hands pairs: a partner passes and you stop the ball dead inside a box of cones. The pair collects 20 soft stops.
Receive and Move Away
Take your first touch out of your feet and into space in one movement.
By Coach Evan Waechtler Youth coach (U11, Cache Valley, Utah) and founder of SSTracker Updated October 30, 2026
Set up
Set a cone a few yards to each side of you.
Core: Medium. Beat your own best out of 10.
- Ages
- 11 and up
- Time
- 12 min
- Players
- You and a partner
- Space
- Yard or field
- Bring
- Stick, ball, cones, partner
- Level · skill
- Developing · Receiving
The steps
How it works
- Set a cone a few yards to each side of you.
- As the pass arrives, steer it toward one cone with your first touch.
- Dribble to that cone and pass back.
- Do 20 receives, alternating sides.
Coaching point
First touch into space.
Safety: Keep your stick low and check that the space around you is clear before you swing. Wear protective eyewear (ASTM F2713) where your league requires it.
Make it fun
Play it, don't drill it
Challenge
Pick a level: Less (slow pass), Core (medium), More (turn to a second cone after the stop). Beat your own best out of 10.
Story
You are catching a snowflake on a spoon without breaking it.
My best
Beat your own count
Beat your own best out of 10. Only your own number counts: today against last time.
Practice makes progress
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