Football · Dribbling & 1v1 · Game

Sharks and minnows

Minnows dribble across the area past the sharks; lose your ball and you become a shark too.

M1M2M3M4S1S2
Start / 4
Time
12 min
Players
6–16
Age
U6–U10
Area
25 × 20 m
Equipment
4 cones14 balls8 bibs

Setup

  1. Mark a 25 × 20 m area. The two short ends are the safe lines.
  2. The minnows start on one safe line with a ball each.
  3. Two sharks in bibs, without a ball, wait in the middle.

How it runs

  1. On "Sharks!", the minnows dribble to the far line without losing their ball.
  2. Sharks try to kick balls out of the area. Lose yours and you put on a bib and become a shark.
  3. Go back and forth on each call until one or two minnows are left; they start as sharks next game.

Coaching points

  • Keep the ball close when a shark is near; push it into space when it's clear.
  • Look up to find the gaps between the sharks.
  • Change direction or turn away to escape.

Common mistakes

  • Kicking the ball far ahead and giving it to a shark.
  • Sharks pushing or sliding in. Tackles are on the ball only, standing up.
  • Minnows waiting on the line; count down from five to get them going.

Say it: “Look up, find the gap, keep it close.”

Make it harder

  • Start with three sharks.
  • Minnows must stop the ball on the far line with the sole to be safe.

Make it easier

  • Sharks can only walk.
  • A minnow who loses the ball does five toe taps and rejoins instead of becoming a shark.

Pairs well with

Reviewed by the Sportdify coaching team.