⚽ Warm-Up
Sharks and Minnows
The most engaging warm-up in grassroots youth football, year after year.
Sharks and Minnows — full pitch view
The one cue that matters
Good intensity building gradually into the session
◆Why this drill works
The most engaging warm-up in grassroots youth football, year after year. Players ('minnows') protect their dribble while two 'sharks' — without a ball — try to kick balls out of the playing area. Lose your ball, you become a shark. The drill builds close control, head-up dribbling, shielding, and — critically — willingness to dribble under pressure. It's competitive without being brutal, and U7s will beg to play it again.
▦The drill in three phases
1Setup
Starting positions — players, zones and equipment in place.
2Action
Movement begins — players run, dribble and create the pattern.
3Finish
The end action — pass, shot or outcome the drill builds toward.
Ball carrierAttackersDefendersPass / dribbleShot
▶How to run it
- Mark out a 16×16 yard square. Pick 2 sharks (rotate fairly across the warm-up — this is part of the fun). Sharks have no ball. Every other player (minnow) has a ball inside the square.
- On 'go', sharks try to kick or knock minnows' balls out of the square. Minnows protect their ball while staying inside the square — using their body, dribbling away, changing direction.
- If a minnow's ball is knocked out (or they leave the square), they become a shark. They drop their ball outside the square and join the chase.
- Last minnow standing wins the round. Reset, pick new sharks, run 3–4 rounds total. Keep rounds short — 60 to 90 seconds each — to maintain energy.
- Optional final round: 'Reverse' — sharks have a ball, minnows don't. Sharks must dribble while trying to tag minnows by touching them with the ball. Adds a different skill demand.
✓Equipment checklist
✦Coaching points
Praise when you see
- Good intensity building gradually into the session
- Quality touches even in the warm-up
- Active, engaged movement — not going through the motions
Correct when you see
- Standing in queues — keep everyone active
- Treating the warm-up casually — quality starts here
- Static stretching cold — keep the movement dynamic
★Kit for this drill — top picks compared
| Pick | Product | Best for | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Top pick | Marker Cones (50-pack) | Set up any warm-up grid. | Check price → |
| Value | Training Bibs (10-pack) | Team activation games. | Check price → |
| Upgrade | Agility Ladder | Dynamic movement prep. | Check price → |
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?Frequently asked questions
What age group is Sharks and Minnows suitable for?
This warm-up suits youth and can be scaled in intensity to match the group.
How many players do I need for Sharks and Minnows?
This drill works well with around 12 players. With fewer, reduce the groups or rotate players through; with more, set up multiple stations so everyone stays active rather than queuing.
How long does Sharks and Minnows take?
Allow around 3 minutes to set up and 15 minutes to run it — about 18 minutes in total. It fits well as the technical or main block of a session, leaving time for a warm-up and a game.