Sharks and Minnows

Develop dribbling with the head up, protecting the ball from pressure, and brave decision-making about when to go and which way to swim.

Mark a 25x20 yard box — the ocean. All minnows start on one end line, each with a ball. Two sharks (no ball, wearing bibs) wait in the middle of the ocean.

1. On 'SWIM!', every minnow dribbles across the ocean to the far line.
2. Sharks try to kick minnows' balls out of the box — they cannot pick balls up.
3. If your ball goes out, you become a shark for the next crossing (or do 3 toe taps to stay alive in the friendly version).
4. Turn around and swim back when the coach calls; last two minnows surviving win and become the new sharks.
5. Play 4–6 oceans crossings, re-picking sharks each game.

• Soft touches like tip-toes — keep the ball one small step away.
• Eyes up — spot the shark before the shark spots you.
• Put your body between the shark and your ball.
• When you see open water, push the ball and sprint through it.

• Minnows boot the ball ahead and chase it — that hands it straight to a shark; demand a touch every stride.
• Players watch their own feet and dribble into the shark — reward the first three minnows to spot and call the sharks' positions.
• Caught minnows sulk on the side — there is no 'out' here, they instantly become sharks so everyone keeps playing.

• Add a third shark to crowd the ocean.
• Sharks must win the ball and dribble it out instead of just kicking it away.
• Minnows score a bonus point for a skill move (stepover or turn) that beats a shark.

• Start with one shark only.
• Make the ocean bigger so there is more open water.
• Sharks walk for the first crossing.

• Sharks can only tackle a moving ball — a minnow standing still with a sole on the ball is safe for 3 seconds.