A lively dribbling game where players run the gauntlet across a grid while defenders try to knock their ball out. Great first activity of a session.
Young (U5 to U8)Dribbling & 1v1Warm-upFun & games
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The setup
Step by step
1
Dribble across
Minnows dribble from one line to the other, ball close and head up.
2
Sharks attack
The one or two sharks in the middle try to kick the minnows' balls out of the grid.
3
Caught, become a shark
Lose your ball and you join the sharks. The last minnow left wins.
Numbers & rotation: All ages, but ideal for the youngest. Start with one or two sharks and add one each round. Shrink the grid to make it harder. Every player has a ball.
Age group
Young (U5 to U8)
Duration
10 to 15 min
Players
6 or more
Area
20m x 15m grid
Equipment
Cones to mark the grid, a ball each, one or two bibs
FA Four Corners: what this develops
Technical / TacticalPsychologicalPhysicalSocial
Objective
Dribbling with the head up, keeping the ball close under pressure, and changing direction to escape a defender.
Set up
Mark a rectangle roughly 20m by 15m. All players (the minnows) start on one end line, each with a ball. One or two players (the sharks) start in the middle with no ball.
Coaching points
Head up so you can see the sharks and the space
Small, frequent touches to keep the ball close
Use your body to shield the ball from the shark
Change of pace and direction to get away
Progressions
Add a 'safe zone' halfway across where minnows cannot be tackled
Restrict sharks to two-hand-touch instead of tackling, for the very youngest
Call a specific move (a stop turn, a drag back) that minnows must use to cross
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