Game version
Mirror footwork: a partner slides with their hands up and you stay square and balanced, with no contact. Swap often.
Hands-Inside Punch on a Pad
Blocking starts with the hands: punch both hands inside the chest of a pad with thumbs up.
By Coach Evan Waechtler Youth coach (U11, Cache Valley, Utah) and founder of SSTracker Updated October 30, 2026
Set up
Your partner holds a pad at chest height and stands still.
Core: Jogs. Beat your own run of balanced mirrors.
- Ages
- 14 and up
- Time
- 10 min
- Players
- You and a partner
- Space
- Yard or field
- Bring
- Hand shield or pad, partner
- Level · skill
- Developing · Blocking
The steps
How it works
- Your partner holds a pad at chest height and stands still.
- From your stance, step and punch both hands into the pad, thumbs up and elbows in.
- Lock out your arms and hold for 2 seconds.
- Do 12 punches, resetting each time.
Coaching point
Thumbs up, elbows tight, eyes up.
Safety: Only with a coach, in a helmet and pads. Hit the pad with your shoulder and hands, head up and to the side, never your helmet. The holder gives resistance, not a collision.
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 balanced mirrors.
Story
You are a door that closes whichever way the wind blows.
My best
Beat your own count
Beat your own run of balanced mirrors. Only your own number counts: today against last time.
Practice makes progress
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