Gopher SoftCatch Synthetic Foam Gloves

Make learning how to catch and field the ball easy using extremely friendly gloves. Made of soft and comfortable polyurethane foam, there’s no break-in period required so new players can start using the gloves right away. A thick foam palm and back provide enhanced comfort and protection as players learn how to catch the ball. Contrasting PVC web helps to visually teach players how to catch the ball. An adjustable PVC wrist strap allows for a perfect fit.

Foam baseball gloves are available in left or right throw. They are 10-1/2"L, making them ideal for elementary-aged player. Designed for use with non-full hardness baseballs.

15 Activity Ideas for Teaching Fundamental Movement Skills Using Gopher SoftCatch Synthetic-Foam Gloves

The Gopher SoftCatch Synthetic-Foam Gloves are specifically designed to build students’ confidence when learning catching and throwing skills. These gloves are softer and more forgiving than standard gloves, offering added protection and a better grip for beginner and intermediate learners. Because of their foam material, they make catching easier and less intimidating, especially for younger students or those hesitant to engage with traditional sports gear. The following activities use these gloves to teach and reinforce a wide range of fundamental movement skills, including manipulative, locomotor, non-locomotor, body control, and stability movements. All activities are suitable for both small and large group instruction.

Below are 15 creative, educational, and engaging activity ideas that utilize the SoftCatch Gloves to teach core physical education skills:

1. Foam Fetch Frenzy: Students wear the SoftCatch Gloves and partner up to play a foam fetch game. One student throws the ball while the other must run, retrieve/catch it, and return it using only their gloved hand. Teaches: Throwing, Catching, Running, and Returning.

2. Catch Me If You Can: In a relay format, students must complete a circuit that includes catching and throwing with the glove, hopping to a cone, and sliding sideways back to tag the next person. Teaches: Catching, Throwing, Hopping, Sliding.

3. Soft Glove Showdown: In this team-based game, players try to catch as many balls as possible thrown at various angles and speeds using the gloves. Use beanbags for added fun. Teaches: Catching, Coordination, Reaction Time.

4. Glove & Go Gauntlet: Set up stations requiring students to perform various locomotor skills (e.g., skipping, galloping) while carrying a foam ball in their glove without dropping it. Teaches: Balance, Locomotor Movement, Object Control.

5. Glove Groove Relay: Students catch a ball, perform a dance move, and pass it to the next person in line. Includes rhythm and coordination. Teaches: Catching, Twisting, Coordination.

6. Glove Toss Tic-Tac-Toe: Students throw beanbags with their gloved hand into a tic-tac-toe grid created with floor tape. First team to get 3 in a row wins. Teaches: Throwing, Strategic Thinking, Accuracy.

7. Catch-and-Crouch: Students must catch a ball and immediately drop into a squat or lunge before passing it on. Great for non-locomotor skill development. Teaches: Catching, Squatting, Passing.

8. Foam Flight Football: Modified football game where catching with SoftCatch Gloves is required, and teams advance downfield with short foam passes. Teaches: Catching, Running, Throwing.

9. Pass, Pivot, Pop: Students catch a ball, pivot in place, and toss it to a teammate. Focus is on pivoting without traveling. Teaches: Catching, Turning, Pivoting.

10. The Great Glove Chase: Students chase each other in a tag-style game, but can only tag by gently tapping with the gloved hand while holding a ball. Teaches: Dodging, Chasing, Hand Control.

11. Balance & Bounce Bonanza: Students balance on one foot while catching a ball thrown by a partner. Increase challenge by bouncing the ball first. Teaches: Balancing, Catching, Hand-Eye Coordination.

12. Glove Golf Toss: Using cones as "holes", students toss foam balls underhand to land closest to the cone in as few throws as possible. Teaches: Throwing for Accuracy, Estimating Force, Strategy.

13. Foam Frenzy Flip-Out: Students perform a sequence of actions—jump, spin, throw, catch—all while keeping control of the ball with their glove. Teaches: Jumping, Turning, Catching, Throwing.

14. Side-Step SoftCatch Sweep: Students line up and side-step across the gym, catching foam balls launched from the side with their glove. Teaches: Lateral Sliding, Catching, Reaction.

15. Air Time Accuracy: Students toss a ball in the air and try to clap once or twice before catching it with the glove. Add more claps to increase difficulty. Teaches: Timing, Catching, Focused Movement.