Game version
Rhythm skips: a partner claps a beat and you skip in time with it. Change the beat each round and swap.
Knee-Drive Skip Rhythm
The A-skip trains the knee drive and foot strike of fast running in a slower, controlled rhythm.
By Coach Evan Waechtler Youth coach (U11, Cache Valley, Utah) and founder of SSTracker Updated October 30, 2026
Set up
Skip forward, driving one knee up as the other foot strikes under your hip.
Core: Steady. Keep your own rhythm smooth.
- Ages
- 9 to 14
- Time
- 8 min
- Players
- Just you
- Space
- Yard or field
- Bring
- Cones
- Level · skill
- Developing · Speed
The steps
How it works
- Skip forward, driving one knee up as the other foot strikes under your hip.
- Pull the toes up and strike the ground with the ball of the foot.
- Keep elbows bent and arms swinging cheek to hip.
- Do 4 lengths of 15 yards, walking back.
Coaching point
Up, down, under the hip.
Safety: Run on flat, clear, non-slip ground with plenty of room to slow down. Stop if anything hurts.
Make it fun
Play it, don't drill it
Challenge
Pick a level: Less (slow beat), Core (steady), More (steady with big arms). Keep your own rhythm smooth.
Story
You are a drummer whose feet keep the beat.
My best
Beat your own count
Keep your own rhythm smooth. Only your own number counts: today against last time.
Practice makes progress
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