Sharks and Minnows

 

Players:          10 or more; all levels

Where:            Indoors in a gym or outdoors

Equipment:     None

 

Object:

Riders try to cross the playing area as a group without being tagged by a rider who is a Shark.

 

Play:

One person is chosen to be the first Shark. The Shark waits in the middle of the playing area while all other riders begin at one end of the playing area. Everyone mounts as the Shark says “Go.”

The players try to ride to the other end of the playing area, staying in the boundaries, without being tagged by the Shark.

Any riders who are tagged then become Sharks and stay in the middle for the rest of the game, also trying to tag riders as they try to ride across to the other side.

Play continues with the remaining Minnows traveling across the playing area in a group until everyone is tagged. Last person tagged becomes the Shark for the next round.

 

Level Adjustments:

Levels 1, 2       Ride

Levels 3, 4       Ride with one hand on hip

Levels 5, 6       Ride one-footed

Levels 7, 8       Ride one-footed, weaker foot

Levels 9, 10     Wheel walk

 

Variations:

If the game is played with riders of about the same ability level, the Shark could call out specific skills that all riders (including the Shark or Sharks) would have to do, such as riding one-footed across the playing area. Other variations: riding with hands on hips, one hand on head, wheel walking, wheel walking one-footed.

 

Or the game could be played with exemptions: if riders ride one-footed, they can’t be tagged while doing that skill. The Shark would change the skill each time Minnows try to cross the playing area.

 

Comments:

This game is also known as British Bulldog and Pom Pom Pull Away.

 

Contact: Carol McLean, unicyclecentral@hotmail.com

 

Games Index