Shake Your Shadow
Also called Lose Your Marker
Lose the shadow who follows you everywhere, then call for a pass from a server on the edge.
At a glance
- A 20 m square. Equal groups of servers, receivers and shadows. Servers stand on the edge with a ball each. Shadows wear bibs.
- Each shadow sticks close to its receiver but never tackles. Lose your shadow with a sudden stop, a turn or a burst of speed.
- When you are free, call and show a hand to any server. Take the pass, pass it back, then find a different server.
- After 90 seconds rotate: servers to receivers, receivers to shadows, shadows to servers.
- Progress 1: Shadows may try to touch the ball as it arrives.
- Progress 2: Shadows may touch the ball, and the receiver passes to a different server, not back to the passer.
If it's not working: Shadows walk while receivers run.
- receivers
- shadows
- Sserver
- run
- pass
- 1in this order
Servers stand round the outside with a ball each. Inside, every receiver has a shadow in a bib sticking close. One receiver turns sharply and bursts away from their shadow, shows a hand to the server on the left, and the pass comes in.
Full details: set up, how to play, tips and age tweaks
Set up
- Mark a 20 m by 20 m square with a disc on each corner.
- Split the group into three equal roles: servers, receivers and shadows.
- Servers stand around the outside of the square, each with a ball.
- Each receiver has a shadow in a bib. Both start inside the square.
- Spare children become extra servers.
6 to 15 children in threes. 20 m by 20 m.
How to play
- Receivers move around inside the square. Their shadow sticks close to them.
- Lose your shadow with a sudden stop, a turn or a burst of speed.
- When you are free, call and show a hand to any server.
- Receive the pass, pass it back, then go and find a different server.
- Shadows follow and stay close, but they don't tackle.
- After 90 seconds, rotate: servers become receivers, receivers become shadows, shadows become servers.
Keeping everyone moving
Receivers and shadows never stop moving, servers pass all the time, and roles rotate every 90 seconds. Nobody waits and nobody is ever out.
Make it easier
- Shadows walk while receivers run.
- A bigger square, 25 m by 25 m, so there is more room to get free.
Make it harder, step by step
- Shadows may try to touch the ball as it arrives.
- Shadows may touch the ball, and the receiver passes on to a different server, not back to the one who passed.
- Receivers get two touches only: one to turn, one to pass.
Three things to say
- Take your shadow away, then sprint back towards the ball.
- Call and show a hand the moment you are free.
- Open your body so you can see the ball and your shadow.
Words that work: "Brilliant, you lost your shadow!", "Great call, loud and early!", "Brave to ask for it with a shadow close!"
Colts habit
Work hard: keep moving until you are free.
Both feet
Receive with the foot furthest from your shadow.
Heads up
Check where your shadow is before you call.
For your birth year
Pick a birth year to show the tweak for that group.
- 2020 to 2021
- Try Find the Space instead.
- 2018 to 2019
- Shadows follow but never touch the ball, and servers pass as soon as they hear a call.
- 2016 to 2017
- Shadows may try to touch the ball, and receivers pass on to a different server.
Safety: Shadows follow, they never hold or push. Everyone looks up before sprinting across the square.
Keeping score: Each receiver counts their clean receives in 90 seconds and tries to beat it next turn.