Game version
Shadow-form game: practice the footwork and body position on a partner’s walking line with no contact at all. Swap, and share one thing you liked.
Find the Hip Tag
Learn where a safe tackle aims by reaching with two hands for a tag belt on a walking partner's hip, with no contact with the person.
By Coach Evan Waechtler Youth coach (U11, Cache Valley, Utah) and founder of SSTracker Updated October 30, 2026
Set up
Your partner walks past you slowly with a tag belt on their hip.
Core: Jogs. Beat your own run of balanced stances.
- Ages
- 14 and up
- Time
- 8 min
- Players
- You and a partner
- Space
- Yard or field
- Bring
- Partner, tag belt, cones
- Level · skill
- Beginner · Safe Tackling
The steps
How it works
- Your partner walks past you slowly with a tag belt on their hip.
- Step close, bend your knees, and turn your head to the side behind their hip.
- Reach with both hands and pull the tag belt, without touching your partner.
- Do 10 each side.
Coaching point
Head behind, hands on the tag.
Safety: No contact with a person. Practice on soft ground or a mat, keep your eyes open and your head up and to the side. Stop if your neck hurts.
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
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