Gopher NFHS Field Hockey Balls

At 9" circumference/2.8" dia and 5.6 oz, this field hockey ball meets size and weight regulations for official play. Durable PVC construction stands up to all levels of institutional and recreational play. It is an ideal option to practice dribbling and hitting while improving hand-eye coordination. The bright white color makes tracking the ball around the field easy. Available individually or in a Set of 6.

15 Fundamental Movement Activities Featuring Gopher NFHS Field Hockey Balls

The Gopher NFHS Field Hockey Balls are official-size, dimpled field hockey balls designed to meet NFHS and FIH specifications. What sets these balls apart is their enhanced control and durability in all field conditions, making them ideal for school use during both practice and gameplay. Their consistent bounce, grip, and true flight make them a fantastic tool not only for field hockey but also for teaching a wide variety of fundamental movement skills. Below are 15 creative and unique activities that incorporate these balls to develop locomotor, non-locomotor, manipulative, and body control skills in elementary, middle, and high school students.

1. Dribble & Dash Derby: Students dribble the Gopher NFHS Field Hockey Ball with a Gopher Field Hockey Stick through a zigzag cone course. Teaches: Dribbling, Dodging, Dynamic Balance.

2. Stick Trick Showdown: In small groups, students take turns performing creative stick and ball tricks (e.g., figure-eights, spins). Teaches: Twisting, Coordination, Manipulative Control.

3. Hockey Freeze Tag: One team of students are "it" and tags others by gently tapping their ball with their stick. Frozen students must balance in place until freed. Teaches: Stopping, Balancing, Dodging.

4. Bumper Ball Brawl: Teams compete to keep their own ball in play while gently bumping opponents’ balls out of bounds. Teaches: Dodging, Dribbling, Control Under Pressure.

5. Cone Clink Challenge: Students aim to strike the ball into stacked cones from increasing distances. Teaches: Striking, Aiming, Power Movements.

6. Hockey Hungry Hippos: In teams, students use sticks to collect as many balls as possible from the center of a play area and return them to their zone. Teaches: Dodging, Pushing, Coordination Sequences.

7. Partner Pass Parade: Students work in pairs to pass and receive the ball back and forth while slowly advancing down the field. Teaches: Passing, Receiving, Coordination.

8. Circle Swipe Scramble: Students form a circle and attempt to strike the ball across to someone on the opposite side while guarding their own space. Teaches: Striking, Tracking, Reaction Time.

9. Gate Goals Galore: Set up small “gates” using cones and challenge students to pass the ball through each gate in sequence. Teaches: Dribbling, Accuracy, Planning.

10. Stick Balance Walk: Students balance a ball on their stick while walking across a designated path. Teaches: Balancing, Core Stability, Focused Control.

11. Speed Stick Switch: Students dribble a ball across the field, pass to a teammate who then returns it, all as fast as possible. Teaches: Running, Passing, Agility.

12. Obstacle Slalom Sprint: Students race through a line of cones with the ball, attempting to beat their time each round. Teaches: Dribbling, Speed, Coordination Sequences.

13. Defensive Dash Drill: One student tries to dribble past a defender who is limited to a zone. Teaches: Dodging, Dribbling, Defensive Strategy.

14. Hockey Hide & Seek: Students search for hidden balls in a marked area and must dribble them back to their base one at a time. Teaches: Exploration, Dribbling, Running.

15. Field Flick Frenzy: Students practice flicking the ball into small hoops or buckets at various distances. Teaches: Flicking, Aiming, Fine Motor Control.