Football-adapted gameDribbling
Sharks and Minnows
Minnows dribble across the 'ocean' without losing their ball to the sharks in the middle. Caught minnows become sharks. A classic dribbling game for kids.
- Age
- U6–U10
- Players
- 8–20
- Duration
- 10 min
- Difficulty
- Beginner
- Intensity
- Medium
- Area
- 20 × 15 m
- Type
- Technical
- Approach
- Global
- Format
- Football-adapted game
- Objectives
- Technical: Dribbling, 1v1 attacking
- Concepts worked on
Training diagram
Legend
- Attacker
- Defender
- Run without ball
- Dribble
- Ball
- Cone
Sharks and Minnows turns dribbling into a game every child understands. Minnows must keep the ball close, look for space and change direction to get past the sharks. Because caught players become sharks, the game gets harder every round and the best dribblers are challenged at the end.
Objective
Dribble past defenders using close control, changes of direction and speed, while protecting the ball.
Organisation
- 20 × 15 m area. Minnows start on one end line, each with a ball.
- Two sharks (in bibs, without a ball) start in the middle.
How it works
- On 'Swim!', all minnows try to dribble to the opposite end line and stop the ball on it.
- Sharks try to kick the minnows' balls out of the area.
- A minnow who loses the ball becomes a shark for the next round.
- Continue until only one or two minnows are left; they start as sharks in the next game.
Coaching points
- Keep the ball close when a shark is near; push it further into open space.
- Look up to find gaps between the sharks.
- Use a change of direction or a fake to get past a shark.
- Shield the ball with your body when a shark gets close.
Progressions
- Start with more sharks.
- Minnows must stop the ball with the sole exactly on the line.
- Sharks must win the ball (not just kick it out) and dribble it back to their own end.
Regressions
- Sharks walk instead of run.
- A caught minnow does five toe taps and rejoins instead of becoming a shark.
Variations
- Safe islands: two cone squares where minnows cannot be tackled for three seconds.
Key principles
- Close control near defenders.
- Find space.
- Protect the ball.
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