Game version
Shadow-form game: practice the stance and footwork on a partner’s walking line with no contact at all. Swap, and share one thing you liked.
Rolling Ring Tackles
Track and wrap a rolling ring to practice timing without contact on a person.
By Coach Evan Waechtler Youth coach (U11, Cache Valley, Utah) and founder of SSTracker Updated October 30, 2026
Set up
A partner rolls the ring across in front of you.
Core: Jogs. Beat your own run of balanced stances.
- Ages
- 14 and up
- Time
- 12 min
- Space
- Yard or field
- Bring
- Tackle ring or rolled pad, soft surface
- Level · skill
- Developing · Safe Tackling
The steps
How it works
- A partner rolls the ring across in front of you.
- Track it, get your head to the side and wrap with both arms.
- Drive your legs through and roll.
- Do 8 each side.
Coaching point
Eyes up, wrap and squeeze.
Safety: Only with a coach, in a helmet and pads. Head up and to the side, never lead with the helmet. Bags and pads only; no live tackling in this drill, and never tackle a person at home.
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 stances.
Story
You are a shadow that stays right in front of its owner.
My best
Beat your own count
Beat your own run of balanced stances. Only your own number counts: today against last time.
Practice makes progress
Print it now, or save it free
Free for families and teams
Save this drill to your child or team, free
Sign up and the free football week for this age opens in your child's planner, kept to healthy limits. A coach can send this drill to the whole team as homework, and parents see every session logged.
14 days free for a family, no card · Running a team is always free
Does your child's coach know about this?
An email from you to the coach, with the words ready. Nothing is tracked and nobody is rewarded.