Game version
Shadow skate: stay between your partner and the net with your stick on the ice, with no contact. Swap often.
Goalie Call and Catch
A parent calls left or right and tosses a soft ball there; you shuffle, set and catch it.
By Coach Evan Waechtler Youth coach (U11, Cache Valley, Utah) and founder of SSTracker Updated October 30, 2026
Set up
Stand in your ready stance a few steps from your parent.
Core: Skates. Beat your own run of steady shadows.
- Ages
- 7 and up
- Time
- 8 min
- Players
- You and a partner
- Space
- Small room
- Bring
- Tennis ball or soft ball, parent
- Level · skill
- Beginner · Defense
The steps
How it works
- Stand in your ready stance a few steps from your parent.
- Your parent calls "left" or "right" and gently tosses the soft ball that way.
- Shuffle, stop square, and catch it with your glove or blocker hand.
- Do 10 tosses, then swap roles for a minute.
Coaching point
Hear it, move, set, catch.
Safety: Use a soft ball or a tennis ball. The thrower tosses gently and never from close range.
Make it fun
Play it, don't drill it
Challenge
Pick a level: Less (partner glides), Core (skates), More (changes direction). Beat your own run of steady shadows.
Story
You are a shadow that sticks to its owner.
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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An email from you to the coach, with the words ready. Nothing is tracked and nobody is rewarded.