Sharks and Minnows Warm-Up

🖼️ Visual Guide

🎯 Objectives

• •Increase touches and changes of speed at the start of practice.
• •Encourage players to keep the ball close under light pressure.
• •Build awareness of defenders and open space while dribbling.

🎒 Equipment Needed

1 ball per minnow, cones for a 15x20 yard grid, pinnies for the sharks.

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📐 Setup

Mark a rectangular grid with one shark in the middle and the rest of the players lined up at one end with a ball each. Use a smaller grid for younger groups so the action stays busy.

📋 How to Run It

1. 1On the coach's signal, minnows dribble to the far side while the shark tries to knock balls out of the area.
2. 2Players who lose the ball complete a quick task such as five toe taps, then rejoin the next round.
3. 3Repeat the crossing game several times and add more sharks as players get comfortable.
4. 4Encourage players to change speed or direction before meeting the shark instead of dribbling in straight lines.
5. 5End with one final free-for-all round to lift the tempo before the main practice block.

💡 Coaching Tips

• •Coach scanning before the shark arrives, not after the player is trapped.
• •Keep the punishments tiny so the warm-up does not become standing around.
• •Praise players who escape with a change of speed, not only fancy moves.
• •Rotate sharks often so the same players are not always defending.

🔄 Variations

• •Easier: start with one slow shark and a wider grid.
• •Harder: require all escapes to use the weaker foot or a named turn.
• •No-elimination version: sharks score points for touches while minnows keep playing continuously.