Section 4: Players & Officials
Begin with one shark and at least two minnows. Larger groups can start with two or more sharks if everyone agrees. There is no fixed team size; the usable space and players' ability to move safely determine a sensible group size.
Choose the first shark by volunteering, a random selection, or a rotation. The shark starts near the middle of the active area. All minnows begin together in one safe zone, facing the opposite end.
- Minnows attempt each crossing, acknowledge valid tags, and wait in the destination safe zone after arriving.
- Sharks chase and gently tag minnows while respecting boundaries and giving other players room.
- A caller announces starts, ends crossings, and pauses play when necessary. A participating player can fill this role.
- An organizer is useful for children's groups to explain rules, settle disputes, and monitor spacing. Formal referees are unnecessary.
Players arriving late should join as minnows at the beginning of the next round. Anyone may leave the game or request a pause. If the group becomes crowded, divide it into smaller games rather than packing more players into the same space.