Game version
Shadow skate: stay between your partner and the net with your stick on the ice, with no contact. Swap often.
Goalie Stance Wall Catches
In your ready stance, catch a soft ball bounced off a wall with your glove hand and your blocker hand.
By Coach Evan Waechtler Youth coach (U11, Cache Valley, Utah) and founder of SSTracker Updated October 30, 2026
Set up
Stand a few steps from a wall in your ready stance: knees bent, hands out in front.
Core: Skates. Beat your own run of steady shadows.
- Ages
- 7 and up
- Time
- 8 min
- Players
- Just you
- Space
- Small room
- Bring
- Tennis ball or soft ball, wall
- Level · skill
- Beginner · Defense
The steps
How it works
- Stand a few steps from a wall in your ready stance: knees bent, hands out in front.
- Bounce the ball off the wall and watch it all the way into your glove.
- Switch to your other hand and catch it with the blocker hand held flat.
- Do 10 catches with each hand.
Coaching point
Eyes on the ball, hands in front.
Safety: Use a soft ball or a tennis ball and a wall with nothing breakable nearby.
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.