Gopher SofStriker Soccer Balls

A thick layer of foam under the cover makes this our softest and safest felt suede soccer ball. Synthetic rubber bladder is stronger than latex bladders and ensures great air retention during indoor play.

SofStrike Soccer Fun: Building Fundamental Movement Skills Through Soft Indoor Play

The SofStrike Indoor Soccer Balls offer a soft, lightweight, and forgiving design, ideal for developing soccer skills indoors without fear of injury or damage. Their soft feel and non-intimidating build make them perfect for beginners, especially younger or less confident students, to safely practice kicking, dribbling, and striking. Because of their foam core and durable cover, they’re well-suited for a wide variety of creative activities that teach fundamental movement skills in a fun, low-risk way. The following 15 activities use the SofStrike balls to teach locomotor, non-locomotor, manipulative, body control, and combination skills in engaging ways suitable for all age groups.

1. Dribble Derby Dash: Students race in teams while dribbling their SofStrike ball with their feet through a zigzag cone course using cones, reinforcing dribbling, running, and dodging skills.

2. Foam Foot Freeze: Students dribble their SofStrike ball in a marked area. When the teacher calls “Freeze!”, they must stop the ball and freeze in place, promoting stopping, balancing, and ball control.

3. Kick-a-Cone Chaos: Set up towers of cones around the gym. Students aim to knock them over by kicking SofStrike balls, focusing on kicking accuracy and power.

4. Strike & Slide Shuffle: Students kick the SofStrike ball while sliding laterally through a line of cones, emphasizing kicking, sliding, and coordination.

5. Goalie Gauntlet: One student guards a portable net while others attempt to score by kicking. Rotate positions, teaching striking, catching, and agility.

6. Target Toe Taps: Use Rainbow VersaBeanbags as targets. Students tap the ball toward a beanbag using inside of the foot, enhancing manipulative precision.

7. Dribble Tag Tango: Everyone dribbles a SofStrike ball while trying to tag others with their hand. If tagged, they must do 5 toe taps before rejoining. Focus is on dribbling, dodging, and agility.

8. Pass & Pivot Parade: In pairs, students pass the ball back and forth, pivoting after each pass to work on twisting, turning, and kicking.

9. Soccer Statue Shuffle: While music plays, students dribble freely. When music stops, they freeze like a statue, practicing stopping, balance, and body control.

10. Spin & Strike Sprint: Students spin in place (3x), then run to kick the ball at a target. Builds twisting, running, and kicking accuracy.

11. Around the World Pass: Groups stand in a circle and pass the ball in various directions, working on coordination, passing, and awareness.

12. Goal Line Glide: Students must dribble the ball from one end of the gym to the other without losing control. Emphasizes dribbling endurance and spatial awareness.

13. Kick & Catch Quickstep: Partner activity where one kicks and the other catches the soft ball. Develops striking, catching, and reaction skills.

14. 4-Corner Kick-Off: Set up four mini-goals in gym corners. Students choose and race to kick into one. Encourages decision-making and directionality.

15. Juggle Jam Jump: Students practice juggling the ball with feet, and after every third touch, perform a vertical jump. Combines coordination and power movements.