Soccer Bot for Training

Soccer Bot is an indoor soccer game with a robot opponent that tracks and chases a sensor-equipped ball. The player dribbles around the robot and tries to keep it from touching the ball. You get three speed settings and a built-in LCD scoreboard. Each round lasts up to five minutes, and you have three lives before the game ends.

Golden Bear Products, a British toy company based in Telford, England. Soccer Bot launched in 2023 and became part of Strikesphere, Golden Bear’s sports brand. Strikesphere makes interactive equipment that mixes physical play with electronic features, including Soccer Bot, Soccer Dash and Soccer Launcher. In the US, the game is often sold as Smart Ball Soccer Bot.

Yes. It is recommended for ages 6 and up, and Level 1 is slow enough to learn basic dribbling and close control. Younger kids should play with an adult nearby, on a flat floor with plenty of room around the zone. Age guidance can differ slightly between versions and regions, so go by the box for the set you buy.

It works on close ball control, footwork, quick changes of direction and reacting under pressure. Because the robot chases the ball, players have to adjust every second instead of running a fixed pattern. Regular sessions are a good add-on to team practice. It does not replace passing, shooting, tactics or playing against real defenders.

The original set has one tracking robot, one size 1 smart soccer ball and four zone discs for marking the play area. The robot has the LCD score display and the speed buttons. You need 4 AA batteries for the robot and 3 AAA batteries for the ball, and they are not included.

Both, within limits. Standard Mode (A) is for smooth floors like hardwood, laminate and tile. Boost Mode (B) gives the bot more power on short-pile carpet. Thick rugs, uneven floors and clutter get in the way. Several parents say it runs best on tile or hardwood, so use a hard floor if you have one.

About 5 x 5 feet for the play zone, plus some clear space around it. The four zone discs mark the edges and can be moved to fit your room. A smaller zone makes the game harder because the bot has less distance to cover before it reaches the ball.

Yes, by taking turns. Up to four players can run a high-score contest on the same speed and zone size, and the LCD keeps the best score. Soccer Bot 2.0 adds a dedicated Battle Mode with one-life elimination rounds for more head-to-head competition.

Soccer Bot 2.0 keeps the same game and adds improved ball tracking, a glow-in-the-dark LED ball, a multiplayer Battle Mode and built-in storage for the four zone discs. Both have a robot opponent, three speed levels and an LCD scoreboard. The original is still a complete game on its own. 2.0 adds extras rather than changing how you play.

Use the three speed buttons on the robot. Level 1 is the slowest and is best for learning. Levels 2 and 3 make the bot faster, so you need quicker reactions and tighter touches. You can also move the zone discs closer together to make any level harder without changing the speed.

Usually it is one of three things: the ball is more than about 5 feet away, the batteries are weak, or bright sunlight is confusing the sensors. Move the ball closer to the bot, put fresh batteries in both the bot and the ball, and play away from sunny windows. Also check that the sensor module inside the ball is seated properly. If it still will not track, see the contact page for help with a replacement.

No. The original Soccer Bot works on its own with no smartphone, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth or subscription. The robot tracks the included ball, and the LCD handles the scoring. You pick the difficulty with the buttons on the bot. Once the batteries are in and the zone is marked, you are ready to play.

According to Strikesphere, Circana recognized Soccer Bot as Europe’s top-gaining toy property in the sports toys category for 2024. Circana tracks toy sales across major markets, so the recognition reflects how fast the game sold rather than a judged review. It has since spread to toy stores in many countries, including the US.

The Strikesphere range includes Soccer Bot 2.0, Soccer Dash, Soccer Launcher, Kick Tracker, Counter Ball, Speed Ball and B-Ball Bounce. Soccer Dash uses light-up targets and several game modes for reaction and dribbling practice. Soccer Launcher feeds balls for striking drills. The others focus on tracking kicks, coordination or quick competitive games.

Soccer Bot is sold by online toy stores, sporting goods retailers and large online marketplaces. Before you order, check whether the listing is for the original Soccer Bot or Soccer Bot 2.0, confirm what is included, and read the seller’s shipping and return terms.