Game version
Statue starts: lean until you must step, take a few quick steps, then freeze like a statue when a partner says “freeze”.
Falling Starts
Learn a fast first step by leaning forward and letting your feet catch you.
By Coach Evan Waechtler Youth soccer coach (U11, Cache Valley, Utah) and founder of SSTracker Updated October 30, 2026
Set up
Stand tall on a line with a cone 10 yards ahead.
Core: 5. Aim for a smooth lean every time.
- Ages
- 7 and up
- Time
- 8 min
- Players
- Just you
- Space
- Yard or field
- Bring
- 2 cones
- Level · skill
- Beginner · Pace & Agility
The steps
How it works
- Stand tall on a line with a cone 10 yards ahead.
- Lean forward from the ankles until you have to step.
- Drive hard for 10 yards, then walk back.
- Do 8 starts with a full walk-back rest.
Coaching point
Lean, then push the ground away.
Safety: Warm up first. Stop if a muscle feels tight.
Make it fun
Play it, don't drill it
Challenge
Pick a distance: Less (2 steps), Core (5), More (10 yards). Aim for a smooth lean every time.
Story
You are a rocket tipping off the pad and lifting away.
My best
Beat your own count
Aim for a smooth lean every time. 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 soccer 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.