Square Dance With Sharks
Objective:
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To start practice in a lively way with a fun warm-up.
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Develop the fundamentals of dribbling and of screening the ball.
Target:
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Not to get your ball eaten by the shark, while avoiding contact with other players and other balls.
Organization
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Mark a square approximately 15 yards by 15 yards, depending on numbers.
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Each player should have a ball.
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If not, use the "Change Soccer" principle: half the players inside the square, each with a ball, the remaining half outside the square, without a ball. Trade places when coach shouts "Change!"
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Use the progressions from previous Square Dances and the North, South, East and West activities.
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The big difference this time is that the coach becomes the Shark. And he is a ball-eating shark!
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The Shark will try to kick a player's ball out of the square.
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If that happens, the player goes to retrieve the ball and after three magic toe-touches - Left, Right, Left - he/she can return to the square.
Teaching
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Encourage players to keep a careful eye on the Shark and stay out of his way.
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If the Shark is coming towards a player, that player should turn away and keep his/her body between the Shark and the ball as a shield.
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Players need to look around to see where the rest are and not bump into them. See how many different ways they can turn with the ball.
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Quick bursts of speed will take them away from the big - possibly slow! - Shark.
Progressions
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Use "Simon says..." or "Coach says..." to intensify the fun.
