How to Play Sharks and Minnows

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Sharks and Minnows is a fast-paced pool game that's been popular since the fifties. [1] There are many variations of this game that allow you to play it in a variety of settings. Following the rules and safety guidelines will guarantee a fun time for all swimmers.

Method 1
Method 1 of 3:

Learning the Basics

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  1. Choose a player to be the Shark. This player is now “it” and stands in the center of the pool (the “ocean”).
    • When playing with a lot of people in a large area, you can play with more than one Shark. 10 Minnows to 1 Shark is a good ratio.
    • If many people want to be the Shark you can decide by flipping a coin, or playing rock, paper, scissors.
  2. Everyone who isn't a Shark is a Minnow. Minnows form a line at one end of the pool deck, facing the Shark. There should be at least twice as many Minnows as Sharks.
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  3. To start, the Shark yells, "fishy, fishy, cross my ocean", or some variation of that. When the Minnows hear this call, they jump into the pool and start to make their way to the opposite end. The Shark must remain in place above water until the next call.
    • Experienced swimmers can challenge themselves by requiring players to dive, cannonball, or can-opener into the pool.
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Method 2
Method 2 of 3:

Playing the Game

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  1. Once everyone is in the water the Shark yells, "Sharks and Minnows!" or "Shark attack!" at any time to start “tagging” players. When the Shark yells this, the Minnows' goal is to reach the other end of the pool without being tagged by the Shark.
    • If the Shark tags a Minnow, that Minnow becomes a Shark [2] and joins the Shark's team. They now begin tagging Minnows to turn them into Sharks.
    • When the Minnows have made it to the other side of the pool without being tagged, they wait. The Shark calls “fishy, fishy...” again and they try to return to the other side of the pool. The original Shark calls, "Shark Attack" and the process repeats.
  2. The last remaining Minnow is the winner. This player becomes the Shark in the next round. [3] It becomes harder as more and more Minnows become Sharks. The game lasts until there is only one Minnow left.
    • If you started out with more than one Shark, the last two Minnows become the next Sharks.
  3. Begin the next game with the winner from the last round, the new Shark. They now stand in the center of the pool and the Minnows line up on the pool deck facing the Shark. Let the game begin.
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Method 3
Method 3 of 3:

Trying Variations

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  1. Once you've become an expert at the game you can add your own rules to enhance it.
    • Make it a rule that the Shark can only tag Minnows who have their head above water. It's fun to challenge yourself but never put your life in danger. Be cautious and make sure swimmers can make it from one side of the pool to the other in one breath.
  2. Add more Sharks so the Minnows have to swim faster and be more creative to get to the other side without being tagged.
  3. Instead of Sharks and Minnows, you can use Cat and Mouse, Cheetah and Gazelle, or Fox and Rabbit.
  4. If you don't have access to a pool, or if the pool is too crowded to play, move to a field or gym. This version is played year-round and can usually accommodate more players. Make sure to swap your swim trunks for sneakers.
    • Cones, tape, or basketball court lines are used to mark the boundaries. These will be the spots where players will start and end. [4]
    • If you want to minimize contact, you can have players tuck a towel into their shorts, to act as a “tail.” Instead of tagging players, the Shark will pull their tail.
  5. Have the Shark close their eyes or turn their back until they hear a Minnow swimming. They must tag players by following their sounds.
    • In this version, Minnows can exit the pool and try to walk to the other end of the pool without being seen or heard. If the Shark does hear them then the Shark will yell, "fish out of water" and the Minnow must start over. [5]
  6. Place pool floats around the pool. If a player bumps into one, send them back to the beginning or make them sit through a time out.
  7. In this version, instead of becoming Sharks when tagged, players become seaweed. They must stay still and can only reach as far as arm's length to tag other Minnows who then become seaweed as well. [6]
    • If a seaweed touches a Shark, it turns back into a Minnow and can continue swimming to the end of the pool.
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  • Question
    If I am a minnow, am I allowed to get out of the water?
    Community Answer
    In the original unchanged version, no. But you could change rules, as explained above.
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  • Question
    What do you mean by the "seaweed"?
    Community Answer
    The "seaweed" are the tagged minnows. They have to stay still and try to tag anyone going by without moving from their spots.
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  • Question
    How do I get the game?
    Community Answer
    It's not a physical game you can touch; just ask a group of people if they want to play.
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    Thank you for your feedback.
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      Warnings

      • Always play with a lifeguard present if playing in a pool.
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      • Don't play Sharks and Minnows in a crowded pool or field. Obstacles can be fun, but not when they're other people. This will seriously increase the risk of injury to you and those around you.
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      References

      1. ↑ https://swimswam.com/the-top-9-swimming-pool-games-3-sharks-and-minnows/
      2. ↑ https://www.njfamily.com/11-Cool-Pool-Games/
      3. ↑ https://www.swimuniversity.com/7-swimming-pool-games-for-kids/
      4. ↑ https://www.teach-nology.com/lessons/lsn_pln_view_lessons.php?action=view&cat_id=7&lsn_id=13604
      5. ↑ https://www.gameskidsplay.net/games/sensing_games/sharks_minnows.htm
      6. ↑ https://www.ultimatecampresource.com/site/camp-activity/sharks-and-minnows.html

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      If you want to play Sharks and Minnows, first pick someone to be the Shark and have everyone else be Minnows. Once everyone has their positions, have the Shark stand in the center of the pool while all the Minnows form a line at one end of the pool. Then, if you're a Minnow, try to reach the other end of the pool without the Shark tagging you. If you get caught, you become a Shark, and then you have to try to tag the other Minnows to get them out too. Keep playing the game from one end of the pool to the other until there is just one Minnow left, and they become the winner! For more information, including how to add variations to the game, read on.

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