• Drill Type
  • Tackling Focus

What is Football Basic Drills – Sharks & Minnows?

Football Basic Drills – Sharks & Minnows is a free football drill on FantasyHQ’s Football Coaching hub for tackling work. Use the setup notes and coaching cues below to add it to this week’s practice plan.

  • Football Basic Drills – Sharks & Minnows is part of FantasyHQ’s free football drills library.
  • Focus: Tackling.

How to run this drill

Football Basic Drills – Sharks & Minnows is built for youth, high-school, and volunteer coaches who need clear drill language — not a random cone circuit. Beginners can install the first progression; experienced staffs can layer competition.

  1. Read the purpose once, then walk the setup on air before live tempo.
  2. Demonstrate one clean rep so players see landmarks, pad level, and finish.
  3. Run short competitive periods — quality reps beat long lines.
  4. Close with one coaching cue players can repeat in the huddle next period.

Full drill

I transformed a soccer drill into a tackle football drill.   The soccer drill is called Shark and Minnows.   To save time explaining, here is how I intend to turn it into one of our football basic drills.

Football Sharks & Minnows!
Equipment: Four cones and four footballs
Set-up: Set the cones in a square 20 yards apart(shorter if you like)

Game:

1.   Four ball carriers are set at one end and a defender in the middle of the square.

2.   Their objective is to get to the other side without getting tackled by the Shark.

3.   Tackled players become Sharks.

4.   Last ballcarrier standing, if any, is the winner.

5.   Losers do push-ups, run laps, etc.

6.   Coach blows whistle to start runners and each time they reach one of the sides to start the run.

RESULT: This should develop open field tackling and running.   Most importantly, it   will develop gang tackling and teamwork.   In a very short time you will notice the defenders talking and high fiveing each other.

Coaching tips

  • Keep one cue per rep so kids hear the same language every time.
  • Film the first live set; pause on footwork and finish, not just the ball.
  • Pair this drill with a matching play install so practice transfers to game day.
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Football Basic Drills – Sharks & Minnows FAQ

What is the Football Basic Drills – Sharks & Minnows drill?
Football Basic Drills – Sharks & Minnows is a free football drill on FantasyHQ’s Football Coaching hub for tackling work. Use the setup notes and coaching cues below to add it to this week’s practice plan.
Who should use this football drill?
Football Basic Drills – Sharks & Minnows is built for youth, high-school, and volunteer coaches who need clear drill language — not a random cone circuit. Beginners can install the first progression; experienced staffs can layer competition.
How do I run Football Basic Drills – Sharks & Minnows in practice?
Read the purpose once, then walk the setup on air before live tempo. Demonstrate one clean rep so players see landmarks, pad level, and finish. Run short competitive periods — quality reps beat long lines.
Is this drill free?
Yes. Browse FantasyHQ football drills, youth plays, and coaching guides free on Football Coaching.

Guide · Football Coaching

Football Basic Drills – Sharks & Minnows

Football Basic Drills – Sharks & Minnows is a free football drill on FantasyHQ’s Football Coaching hub for tackling work. Use the setup notes and coaching cues below to add it to this week’s practice plan.

I transformed a soccer drill into a tackle football drill. The soccer drill is called Shark and Minnows. To save time explaining, here is how I intend to turn it into one of our football basic drills.

What you get

Practice drills with setup notes, youth play diagrams ranked easy to hard, FLAG and tackle coaching guides, and a path into live NFL coaching staffs.

Categories

Football Drills Football Practice

Tags

football basic drills football practice drills tackling drills