Game version
Drop-and-catch pair: a partner drops the ball and you catch it before the second bounce. Swap and keep one total.
Keeper Ball Drops
Your parent drops a ball; you catch it before the second bounce. Then try two balls.
By Coach Evan Waechtler Youth soccer coach (U11, Cache Valley, Utah) and founder of SSTracker Updated October 30, 2026
Set up
Stand in your set position facing your parent.
Core: Shoulder height. Beat your own best.
- Ages
- 7 and up
- Time
- 6 min
- Players
- You and a partner or parent
- Space
- Yard or field
- Bring
- Tennis ball or soft ball, partner or parent
- Level · skill
- Beginner · Defending
The steps
How it works
- Stand in your set position facing your parent.
- They hold a ball out at shoulder height and let it drop.
- Step and catch it before it bounces twice.
- Do 8. Then they hold two balls and drop only one.
Coaching point
Watch the ball all the way into your hands.
Safety: Use a soft ball or a tennis ball indoors. Thumbs and little fingers never overlap. The thrower never throws hard from close range. Stop if a finger or wrist hurts.
Make it fun
Play it, don't drill it
Challenge
Pick a level: Less (drop from low), Core (shoulder height), More (two balls, one after the other). Beat your own best.
Story
You are a goalkeeper at a magic fountain, catching the drops.
My best
Beat your own count
Beat your own best. Only your own number counts: today against last time.
Practice makes progress
Print it now, or save it free
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