Game version
Shadow skate: stay between your partner and the net with your stick on the ice, with no contact. Swap often.
Puck Retrieval Shoulder Check
For defenders: look over your shoulder before you reach a puck in the corner so you know your next play.
By Coach Evan Waechtler Youth coach (U11, Cache Valley, Utah) and founder of SSTracker Updated October 30, 2026
Set up
A coach sends a puck into the corner.
Core: Skates. Beat your own run of steady shadows.
- Ages
- 14 and up
- Time
- 12 min
- Space
- Yard or field
- Bring
- Skates, ice, pucks, stick
- Level · skill
- Advanced · Defense
The steps
How it works
- A coach sends a puck into the corner.
- Skate back and shoulder-check twice on the way.
- Pick up the puck and make the safe play up the boards.
- Do 10 retrievals.
Coaching point
Check twice, then decide.
Safety: Wear a helmet with a full cage, a neck guard, a mouthguard and full gear on the ice.
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.