Dribbling starts with confidence and touch. This game forces ball control because getting tagged means you’re out. Kids learn to protect the ball while moving fast.
Equipment needed: One soccer ball per child (or one per three kids in rotation), a defined space about 30 by 30 yards.
Setup: Mark a square with cones. All kids enter with a ball at their feet except two kids who are the “sharks.”
How to run it:
- Sharks are taggers. They have no ball.
- Minnows (everyone else) must keep their ball within the square while dribbling.
- If a shark tags a minnow, they swap. The minnow becomes a shark.
- Minnows can’t stand still. They have to keep moving with the ball.
- Play for five minutes. Rotate so most kids get a turn as a minnow. Repeat for 15 minutes total.
What to look for: Ball control under pressure. Kids who are dribbling with their eyes up will see the shark coming. Kids who only look at the ball will get tagged.
Variation: For younger kids (5-6), start with one shark. For older kids (7), add a second shark so the pace is faster.