Gopher Exclusive Product
Rainbow SofTex Footballs
This soft PVC football offers a safe, approachable way for students to learn passing and catching skills in PE. With a soft, textured surface and durable design, this football supports active, engaging learning for students of all ages.
Beginner-Friendly Feel and Grip
This football features a soft PVC cover with a textured surface that makes it easier for students to grip and control. The gentle feel is friendly on hands, helping reduce hesitation and encouraging participation during skill-building activities. It is an ideal choice for beginners developing confidence in throwing and catching.
Durable for Daily Use with Reliable Air Retention
Designed for institutional use, this football is built to last through consistent use in physical education classes and recreation programs. The durable PVC cover stands up to indoor and outdoor play, while maintaining its soft, player-friendly feel over time.
A rubber butyl bladder ensures the football maintains proper inflation and shape, even with frequent use. This consistent performance helps teachers focus on instruction without interruptions for reinflation or equipment changes.
Great for Group Play and All Ages
Available in Rainbow Sets of 6, these footballs make it easy to organize teams and run color-coded drills. Offered in Pee Wee and Youth sizes, they accommodate a wide range of grade levels and skill abilities. This versatility makes them a dependable choice to encourage participation from every student.
Key Specs and Benefits
- Construction: Soft yet durable cover and bladder built to last through daily use indoors or out
- Cover: Soft, textured PVC cover for easy grip and control
- Laces: Standard, molded-in laces for skill development
- Stripes: N/A
- Bladder: Rubber butyl bladder provides long-lasting air retention to maintain shape
- Usage: Friendly feel encourages participation for beginners without compromising consistent performance
Create a welcoming introduction to football skills. Add some color to your program with Rainbow SofTex Footballs today!
15 Fun Activities to Try with Rainbow SofTex Footballs
Rainbow SofTex Footballs are perfect for introducing students to the fundamentals of football. Check out these 15 engaging football activities!
1. Grippy Flag Football: Play a classic flag football game using Rainbow SofTex Footballs. The super grippy texture allows players to handle the ball easily while running routes, passing, and catching, giving beginners the confidence to focus on gameplay without fear of injury.
2. Quick Route Drills: Set up cones to simulate different receiving routes (slant, post, out). Students take turns running these routes and catching the Rainbow SofTex Football.
3. Football Toss Challenge: Create a series of rings or hula hoops on the ground, each worth different points. Students take turns tossing the Rainbow SofTex Football into the hoops from a distance. The tacky texture makes it easier for students to throw with accuracy, turning it into a fun, points-based challenge.
4. 7-on-7 Soft Touch Football: Organize a 7-on-7 game with no tackling, where students practice passing and catching while running offensive plays.
5. Two-Minute Drill: Create a timed drill where one team has two minutes to advance the Rainbow SofTex Football down the field and score a touchdown.
6. Red Zone Showdown: Set up a "red zone" near the end zone, and have students run plays from this area to practice scoring under pressure.
7. Receiver Route Races: Set up two parallel tracks for students to run identical passing routes. The students race to catch the Rainbow SofTex Football from the quarterback at the end of their route.
8. Punt & Pass Relay: Divide students into teams and have them alternate punting and passing the Rainbow SofTex Football down the field. The grippy texture and non-intimidating design makes handling smoother for both kicks and throws.
9. One-Handed Catch Challenge: Students practice catching the Rainbow SofTex Football with one hand, improving their coordination and grip strength. The tacky texture helps players successfully catch and secure the ball, even when using only one hand.
10. Hail Mary Challenge: Set up a "Hail Mary" drill where students run long routes and try to catch a deep pass thrown by the quarterback.
11. Snap and Throw Drill: In this drill, students work on the center-quarterback exchange, snapping the Rainbow SofTex Football and then immediately making a quick pass.
12. Grippy Punt & Chase: One player punts the Rainbow SofTex Football, and others chase it down, trying to recover the ball as quickly as possible.
13. Rainbow SofTex Field Goal Fun: Set up makeshift goalposts and have students practice kicking field goals with the Rainbow SofTex Football. The soft texture reduces fear of kicking the football.
14. End Zone Dance Party: After students score a touchdown by catching a pass in the end zone, they celebrate with a 10-second end zone dance!
15. Football Hot Potato: Students sit or stand in a circle and pass the Rainbow SofTex Football to one another while music plays. When the music stops, whoever has the ball must perform a fun football-related task, such as throwing the ball through a hoop or running a mini touchdown.


Gopher offers a football for you no matter your players’ ages, skill levels, or program type—but sometimes that choice can be overwhelming. See our guide to sizing and materials to help decide which is best for you!
Football Material Types:
Composite: A quality leather-like material at a good price. Great versatile option for a practice or game ball.
Synthetic: A manufactured material that offers the enhanced grip and feel of a composite at a good price. Great for practice and PE instruction.
Leather: The best handling material. Used in pro, college, and high school game settings.
Rubber: Molded construction offers an extremely durable surface at a low cost. Great for PE and other demanding institutional usage.
Football Size Guide:
|
Size |
Diameter |
Age Level |
|
Pee Wee |
10”L x 5-¾" |
Early Elementary |
|
Junior |
10-¾”L x 6" |
Upper Elementary |
|
Youth |
11”L x 6-½" |
Middle School / Jr High |
|
Official |
11”L x 7” |
High School & Up |
Looking for football storage bags? Follow this size guide:
| *estimates based on an inflated, official sized football* | Mesh Bags | Duffles | DuraBags | BackSacks |
|
Small |
2 footballs |
- |
- |
- |
|
Medium |
5 footballs |
- |
- |
- |
|
Large |
10 footballs |
4 footballs | 4 footballs | 12 footballs |
|
Extra Large |
16 footballs |
14 footballs |
14 footballs |
16 footballs |
|
Extra Extra Large |
25 footballs |
18 footballs |
18 footballs |
- |













