Each tiger has a tag belt or “tail” tucked into the back of their shorts. The tail must be visible so that other tigers can grab it.
The tigers run around inside the playing area, collecting each other’s tails by pulling them out of another tiger’s shorts. When a tiger collects a tail they add it to their own in their shorts. Other tigers can now collect how ever many tails they have.
If a tail drops on the floor any tiger can collect it. However, the first to touch the tail gets it to avoid a tug-of-war.
Tigers cannot grip their tail to stop it being collected. They need to protect their tail by sprinting away, turning and screening instead.
The game can be played to a time limit (2 minutes, say) and see which tiger has the most tails at the end.
Set Up
Area: 40m x 30m or small gym/games hall
Equipment: Tag belts (if used) or old bibs or strips of material for the tails.
Players: Up to a class or squad size.
Scoring
The tiger with the most tails in their shorts wins.
What to Call Out
“Look for space and move into it”
“Take short steps when changing direction”
“Keep your head up to see what’s going on”
Coaching Tips
You can make your own tails from material or use old bibs. Avoid using new bibs as they might get ripped.
Each tiger has a tag or “tail” tucked into their shorts
The tigers collect each others tails.
The tiger with the most tails in their shorts wins.
“The defender keeps themselves light on their feet, head up and marking a potential break, coming forward to close down an attacker when they move forward” MORE
Players must win the race to the best space when attacking. In defence, players must work early, scan early and look to close space to force errors.
Attackers seek space, defenders take it away. This is also true over the ball.
Run this game over a series of sessions to gain the most benefit as the players develop their understanding of the tactical implications. MORE
Here’s a series of super-quick activities to set up and use to mix up your training to keep all your players occupied. Ideal to hand out to your co-coaches and aimed at a range of core skills in game-like contexts.
Here. is a series of what I’ve called Quick Coach. They are mini-activities aimed at four to six players. The aim is to provide you with a bank of breakout exercises you can run during your session. They should only last around five minutes, but the key is that they are very quick to set up and can be run by any coach in your group. They can even be run by one of the players if appropriate. MORE