Sharks & Minnows

Fun game

Dribble under pressure while protecting the ball — disguised as a chase game.

8 min 6–14 Full court
Ball-handlingU8U10U12

Game guide

6–14 · 1 ball per minnow

Get everyone ready

Minnows on the baselineDribblers (minnows) line up; one or two sharks wait in the middle. 123S1S2

● Player / attack■ DefenceGold: ball

Illustrated steps · 5 seconds per step at 1×

Set up

Minnows line up on the baseline, each with a ball. 1–2 'sharks' (no ball) stand in the middle.

A coached example. In live play, players make their own decisions; the outcome can change.

Look for: Protect the ball with your off-arm and body.

Playback options
Illustrated steps · 5 seconds per step at 1×
Coach’s notes & group organisation

Minnows line up on the baseline, each with a ball. 1–2 'sharks' (no ball) stand in the middle.

  1. On 'go', minnows dribble from one baseline to the other.
  2. Sharks try to knock away or deflect their dribble.
  3. A minnow who loses their ball becomes a shark for the next round.
  4. Play until one minnow is left — they're the winner.

Suggested reset

At the end of each crossing, freeze everyone. Players who lost their ball park it safely outside the court before joining the sharks or bulldogs. Remaining dribblers turn around for the next crossing; reset the original roles for a new game.

Coaching cues

  • Protect the ball with your off-arm and body.
  • Change speed and direction to escape.
  • Keep your head up to see the sharks.

Adapt the challenge

Harder: Sharks also have a ball and must keep their own dribble alive while attacking.

Easier: Sharks must keep one hand behind their back so they can only deflect, not swipe.

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.

What good looks like
  • 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

  1. 1On 'go', minnows dribble from one baseline to the other.
  2. 2Sharks try to knock away or deflect their dribble.
  3. 3A minnow who loses their ball becomes a shark for the next round.
  4. 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

Harder

Sharks also have a ball and must keep their own dribble alive while attacking.

Easier

Sharks must keep one hand behind their back so they can only deflect, not swipe.

Related drills

Coaching notes that use this drill