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Side-Step Block Footwork

Move along the net with small side steps and hands up, then a small jump.

By Coach Evan Waechtler Youth coach (U11, Cache Valley, Utah) and founder of SSTracker Updated October 30, 2026

Set up

Stand facing a wall or net with hands at shoulder height.

Core: Jogs. Beat your own run of matched slides.

Ages
7 and up
Time
8 min
Players
Just you
Space
Gym or court
Bring
Tape line
Level · skill
Beginner · Blocking

The steps

How it works

  1. Stand facing a wall or net with hands at shoulder height.
  2. Side-step 2 steps, keeping your shoulders square.
  3. Do a small two-foot jump with hands up.
  4. Do 8 each way.

Coaching point

Square shoulders, hands up.

Safety: Land softly on two feet with bent knees on a non-slip surface. Stop if your knees or ankles hurt. At a net, jump and land on your own side, under yourself, and never cross the centerline.

Make it fun

Play it, don't drill it

Game version

Mirror block: a partner moves along the net and you slide and match them with your hands up, with nothing hit over the net. Swap often.

Challenge

Pick a level: Less (partner walks), Core (jogs), More (changes direction). Beat your own run of matched slides.

Story

You are a wall that moves with the wind.

My best

Beat your own count

Beat your own run of matched slides. Only your own number counts: today against last time.

Practice makes progress

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