Game version
Shadow swim: stay between your partner and the goal with your arms in a good position, with no holding or contact. Swap often.
Defensive Position and Pressure
Stay between your player and the goal.
By Coach Evan Waechtler Youth coach (U11, Cache Valley, Utah) and founder of SSTracker Updated October 30, 2026
Set up
Face a partner who tries to swim past you.
Core: Swims slowly. Beat your own run of steady shadows.
- Ages
- 11 and up
- Time
- 10 min
- Players
- You and a partner
- Space
- Pool
- Bring
- Partner, pool
- Level · skill
- Developing · Defense
The steps
How it works
- Face a partner who tries to swim past you.
- Stay on the goal side and keep your hands up.
- Force them to pass instead of shoot.
- Do 4 rounds, then switch roles.
Coaching point
Stay goal-side, hands up, no fouls.
Safety: Swim only with a lifeguard or coach watching and, under 14, a grown-up within arm’s reach. Wear a polo cap with ear guards. Shoot only at the goal, never at a person.
Make it fun
Play it, don't drill it
Challenge
Pick a level: Less (partner floats), Core (swims slowly), More (changes direction). Beat your own run of steady shadows.
Story
You are a dolphin guarding the reef.
My best
Beat your own count
Beat your own run of steady shadows. Only your own number counts: today against last time.
Practice makes progress
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