Game version
Poke game: your partner dribbles with big touches on purpose, and you poke the ball (never the player) when it is loose. Swap every 30 seconds.
Poke It Away
Win the ball with a quick toe poke when the dribbler takes a big touch.
By Coach Evan Waechtler Youth soccer coach (U11, Cache Valley, Utah) and founder of SSTracker Updated October 30, 2026
Set up
Your partner dribbles slowly in a small square.
Core: Loose. Beat your own best.
- Ages
- 7 and up
- Time
- 8 min
- Players
- You and a partner
- Space
- Yard or field
- Bring
- Soccer ball, partner
- Level · skill
- Beginner · Defending
The steps
How it works
- Your partner dribbles slowly in a small square.
- Watch the ball, not their feet.
- When the ball leaves their foot, step and poke it away.
- Do 10 pokes and swap.
Coaching point
Wait for the big touch.
Safety: Stay on your feet and play the ball, not the player. No slide tackles; any live challenge is only with a coach watching.
Make it fun
Play it, don't drill it
Challenge
Pick a level: Less (very loose touches), Core (loose), More (tighter touches). Beat your own best.
Story
You are a pelican snatching a fish the moment it surfaces.
My best
Beat your own count
Beat your own best. Only your own number counts: today against last time.
Practice makes progress
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