UltraPlay Rubber Volleyballs

An ultra-soft, sponge-like rubber cover softens the sting for junior and senior high school volleyball players, allowing them to play with extra confidence when bumping and volleying! It features our Ultra-Wound nylon winding blend for an optimal combination of playability and durability, a truer bounce, and a longer life.

Player-Friendly Design

Take the sting out of impact with this volleyball! It features an ultra-soft sponge rubber cover designed to lessen the blow, encouraging students to dive into the game without fear. This soft ball is also ultra durable and will withstand use during indoor and outdoor play. Its weather resistance makes it great for beach and indoor volleyball unit play. An airlock butyl bladder and no-leak inflation valve ensure the ball will keep its shape and consistency of flight longer, for improved performance over a longer period of time.

Rainbow sets of 6 give teachers plenty of options to split players up into different groups for games and drills.

15 Fun and Fundamental Movement Activities Using UltraPlay Volleyballs

The UltraPlay Volleyballs from Gopher Sport are soft, oversized, and easy to control—making them perfect for students of all ages and skill levels. With a light, oversized design and tacky cover, these balls promote success in volleyball-style games and beyond. This list of 15 unique activities transforms the UltraPlay Volleyball into a versatile teaching tool for developing fundamental movement skills. Whether indoors or outdoors, these games encourage physical literacy through locomotor, non-locomotor, manipulative, body control, and stability movements.

1. Bump, Set, Balance Bash: Students practice balancing the UltraPlay Volleyball on different body parts (hand, head, foot) while walking or tiptoeing across the gym. Focus: Dynamic Balance + Walking.

2. UltraPlay Up and Over: Students work in teams to volley the ball over a Volleyball Net without letting it touch the floor. Focus: Striking + Team Coordination.

3. Big Bump Bowling: Set up Gopher Pinnies as pins and have students “bump” the volleyball to knock them over. Focus: Underhand Striking + Aiming.

4. Volley Freeze Frenzy: While music plays, students strike the ball up continuously. When music stops, they must freeze with the ball balanced on one body part. Focus: Striking + Static Balance.

5. Ultra Catch Chaos: In pairs, students toss and catch the volleyball while traveling laterally in sync. Focus: Catching + Sliding.

6. Bop-It Balloon Battle: Groups keep their ball in the air with continuous hand strikes. Add multiple balls for chaos! Focus: Striking + Spatial Awareness.

7. Hula Hoop Hoopla: Students must strike or roll the UltraPlay Volleyball to land inside a Hula Hoop placed on the floor. Focus: Rolling or Striking + Aiming.

8. Stop, Drop & Bop: While running laps, students must stop and do 5 controlled strikes of the volleyball in the air when a whistle blows. Focus: Stopping + Striking.

9. Wall Bump Workout: Students volley the UltraPlay Volleyball against a wall with forearm bumps while maintaining rhythm. Focus: Striking + Coordination.

10. Pass the Planet: In a large circle, students pass the "planet" (UltraPlay Volleyball) around using any non-kicking body part without dropping it. Focus: Manipulative Movement + Coordination.

11. Slippery Slide Serve: Students slide side-to-side between cones, then perform a standing volleyball serve over a low net. Focus: Sliding + Striking.

12. Catch Me if You Can Can: One student tosses the ball high and runs around a cone while another tries to catch it before it lands. Focus: Running + Catchi

13. Jungle Jump & Jab: Students jump up to hit the volleyball with open palms, then land with control on a foam mat. Focus: Jumping + Landing.

14. Skipping Serve Showdown: Students skip to a serving line and try to strike the volleyball over a low net. Focus: Skipping + Striking.

15. Partner Popcorn Plop: Partners gently volley the ball back and forth, trying to keep it airborne like popcorn in a popper. Add multiple balls for increased difficulty. Focus: Striking + Team Coordination.