Sharks & Minnows
Dribble under pressure while protecting the ball — disguised as a chase game.
What this drill teaches
Ball protection under real pressure. With sharks hunting the dribble, keeping the body between ball and defender stops being a coaching cue and becomes the only way to survive the crossing.
In games: Fewer strips and lost dribbles against pressing teams — a player who instinctively shields the ball can bring it up the court on game day without coughing it up.
- Off-arm up and body turned to shield the ball
- Bursts of speed through gaps, not straight lines into sharks
- Heads up scanning for sharks before setting off
U8: balls flying everywhere and quick rounds — that's fine, keep it moving. U12: expect deliberate changes of pace, weak-hand escapes and very few clean strips.
Equipment
1 ball per minnow
Setup
Minnows line up on the baseline, each with a ball. 1–2 'sharks' (no ball) stand in the middle.
Steps
- 1On 'go', minnows dribble from one baseline to the other.
- 2Sharks try to knock away or deflect their dribble.
- 3A minnow who loses their ball becomes a shark for the next round.
- 4Play until one minnow is left — they're the winner.
Coaching points
- Protect the ball with your off-arm and body.
- Change speed and direction to escape.
- Keep your head up to see the sharks.
Why kids love it
It's a chase game — maximum fun, and the sharks pile up so the pressure grows each round. Kids scream for 'one more'.
Variations
Sharks also have a ball and must keep their own dribble alive while attacking.
Sharks must keep one hand behind their back so they can only deflect, not swipe.