Gopher UltraPlay Soccer Balls

Our exclusive soft-touch rubber is specially formulated to feel softer and friendlier than other molded-rubber soccer balls. The premium nylon windings help retain their shape better and last longer. 

Durable Design

Featuring a durable design, these soccer balls will hold up to years of consistent use in gym classes and on playgrounds! The upgraded rubber allows the ball to perform better and longer than other rubber balls on the market. This premium construction also includes a butyl airlock bladder which allows the ball to maintain its shape and retain air for long periods of time. The soft-touch cover provides the feel and performance one would typically associate with higher-level soccer balls.

Multiple Colors

With a variety of colors, you will find the best soccer balls for your students. Black and white balls provide classes with a more official appearance, while Rainbow Sets of 6 make it easier for teachers to split students up into different games and drills. For example, students with blue balls can work on passing, while students with yellow balls work on goalie drills.

15 Fun and Fundamental Soccer Skills Activities Using UltraPlay Rubber Soccer Balls

The UltraPlay Rubber Soccer Balls are designed with a tacky, grippy rubber cover that offers enhanced control for young players learning essential ball-handling skills. Their durability and soft touch make them ideal for both indoor and outdoor physical education settings, and especially well-suited for teaching fundamental movement skills across all grade levels. The following 15 activity ideas integrate the unique features of the UltraPlay balls to engage students in fun, developmentally appropriate ways while building locomotor, manipulative, and body control movement skills.

1. Dribble Derby Dash: Students race in teams while dribbling an UltraPlay ball with their feet through a slalom course made of cones. Emphasizes dribbling, running, and agility.

2. Pop and Stop Pass: In pairs, students use short, controlled passes with the tacky UltraPlay ball. They must freeze (stop) after each pass. Reinforces kicking, passing accuracy, and body control.

3. Tacky Trap Challenge: Students practice trapping the ball using the soles and sides of their feet. Points are earned for creative, controlled traps. Teaches foot-eye coordination and balance.

4. Pass It, Blast It, Freeze It: Students form a circle. One student passes the ball to another, who must either pass it on, blast a shot into a goal, or freeze in place. Focus on passing, shooting, and reaction control.

5. Footsie Frenzy: In small groups, students perform as many toe touches and foot rolls on the UltraPlay ball as possible in 30 seconds. Great for balance, coordination, and control.

6. Tackle the Tunnel: One student forms a tunnel with legs spread; another must dribble the ball through the tunnel and stop it. Builds dribbling, targeting, and controlled stopping.

7. Sidekick Soccer Slide: Teams play a modified game of soccer using only side-foot kicks while sliding sideways. Focus on lateral movement and kicking precision.

8. Grip and Go Goalies: Students rotate through a goalie station where they must stop the UltraPlay ball using body blocks, foot stops, and hand deflections. Emphasizes reaction time and body control.

9. Freeze Frame Footwork: Music plays while students dribble. When music stops, they must freeze while balancing the ball on one foot or stopping it dead. Combines auditory cues with stability.

10. Tack and Trap Tango: Students pair up and practice trapping a moving ball sent at various speeds. Use the ball's tacky surface for better first-touch control.

11. Kick Control Chaos: Students attempt to keep the ball inside a marked square using gentle taps. Encourages spatial awareness and precision control.

12. Bumper Ball Bop: Students dribble in a confined space trying to avoid bumping into each other while maintaining control. Builds dodging, dribbling, and spatial judgment.

13. Rainbow Roundhouse: Set up colored zones using Rainbow spots. Students must dribble to each color in sequence and perform a move: trap, toe touch, or pass. Develops multi-step sequencing and ball handling.

14. Juggle Jungle Jam: Students practice juggling the UltraPlay ball using thighs, feet, or both. Set challenges like “3-touch juggle then pass.” Encourages coordination and balance.

15. Target Toe Tappers: Mark small zones on a wall with Rainbow Tape. Students try to tap the ball toward targets using different parts of their foot. Enhances aim and directional control.