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Agility / Off ice

Side-step mirror

Match a partner’s sideways movement while staying face-to-face and keeping the feet from crossing.

6U · 8U · 10U · 12UBeginner5 minutes2–6 players
Original drill diagram
Side-step mirror: player positions and movement 12
Floor setup: four cones mark two parallel three-meter lines, two meters apart. Players 1 and 2 face each other from the line centers. Both move toward the same end of the diagram to stay opposite; the arrows show a sample rightward move and leftward return, not travel between the lines. One pair is shown. No sticks or pucks are used. Original schematic; not to scale. Circles with numbers or letters mark players. Other markers and arrows are explained in the caption; some diagrams show puck or ball movement instead of skating. Red arrows show shots. Follow the written setup for spacing.

How to run it

Equipment: Cones

  1. Use four cones to mark two parallel three-meter lines on a flat floor, two meters apart. Partners start at the middle of their own lines, facing each other. For 2–6 players, form 1–3 pairs with a separate four-cone setup for each pair; an unmatched player rotates in after a turn.
  2. Choose leader 1 and follower 2. Begin with knees slightly bent and feet comfortably apart. The leader takes one small side step, then another; the follower moves toward the same end of the area to stay opposite the leader.
  3. Step first with the foot nearest the direction of travel, then bring the other foot toward it without crossing. Stay between the end cones and face the partner throughout. Begin with two steps one way, a pause, then two steps back.
  4. After fifteen seconds, rest for fifteen seconds and switch leaders. If there is a third player waiting, the leader rests, the follower leads, and the waiting player follows.
  5. Use five minutes for demonstration and short turns. Count direction changes that both players match while staying face-to-face; increase the variety of the leader’s choices before increasing speed.

Key teaching points

  • Cue: “Step, bring it along.” Leave a small space between the feet rather than clicking heels together.
  • Cue: “Stay opposite.” If the leader moves toward one end, the follower moves toward that same end, even though their left and right feet differ.
  • Watch the partner’s upper body. The leader should choose a pace that lets the follower react without turning sideways into a run.

Common mistakes

  • Follower moves to the opposite end instead of mirroring. Try: point to one end cone and have both move toward it together before restarting.
  • Feet cross while changing direction. Try: use one step, stop in the starting stance, then step back.
  • Leader outruns the follower. Try: pause after each direction change until the follower is opposite again, then continue.

Make it fit the player

  • Easier for 6U/8U: use one step each way and let the leader announce the direction before moving.
  • Harder for ready 10U/12U: the leader chooses one or two steps and may pause unexpectedly. The follower responds to movement rather than a repeating sequence; keep the same short turns.
Research context & source notes

Background sources for this drill’s skills and teaching principles.

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