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.
Shadow Your Partner
Follow a partner around like their shadow, staying between them and the goal.
By Coach Evan Waechtler Youth coach (U11, Cache Valley, Utah) and founder of SSTracker Updated October 30, 2026
Set up
Your partner swims slowly in any direction.
Core: Swims slowly. Beat your own run of steady shadows.
- Ages
- 7 and up
- Time
- 8 min
- Players
- You and a partner
- Space
- Pool
- Bring
- Pool, partner
- Level · skill
- Beginner · Defense
The steps
How it works
- Your partner swims slowly in any direction.
- Stay an arm length away on the goal side.
- Never touch them; just mirror them.
- Play for 1 minute, then swap; do 4 rounds.
Coaching point
Goal side, eyes on them.
Safety: Swim only with a lifeguard or coach watching and, under 14, a grown-up within arm’s reach. No grabbing, holding or splashing in faces: this is a no-contact game.
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
Print it now, or save it free
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