Soccer balls, also called footballs, are spherical balls inflated with air. Law two of the game dictates that the soccer ball must have a circumference of 27 to 28 inches, inflated to a pressure of 8 to 12 lbs. per square inch, for a dry weight of 14 to 16 oz. The soccer ball must be covered in leather or another suitable material. Most soccer balls have 32 panels, with 20 hexagonal (or six-sided) panels and 12 pentagonal (five-sided) panels. Other designs use 18- or 26-panel variations. With fewer panels, the ball will curve more when struck. Once inflated, soccer balls should form a near perfect sphere.
The construction of a soccer ball is made up of a cover, stitching, lining and bladder. The cover generally consists of synthetic leather panels made of either polyurethane or polyvinyl chloride (PVC). Panels can be stitched, glued or thermally molded together. The stitching is typically a polyester thread. More expensive balls are hand-stitched, while less expensive ones are stitched by machine. The cheapest balls are glued together and have a harder, more brittle feel to the touch. The lining consists of layers of polyester and/or cotton between the cover and the bladder, providing the structure, bounce and strength of the soccer ball. The more layers built in, the higher the quality of the ball. The bladder is the part of the soccer ball that holds the air, and it can be either latex or butyl. Butyl bladders hold air far longer than the latex ones. Natural latex bladders have great response during game play, but release air gradually through tiny pores, so they must be re-inflated frequently.
What to Look for
Professional match-quality balls are used for international levels of play. Their design accommodates natural and artificial turf playing surfaces, as well as all climates. Five layers are used between the bladder and the surface of the ball to control trajectory, shape, balance, bounce and water absorption. They are the most expensive, made from the best material and undergo rigorous testing in order to be imprinted by the game's governing body, FIFA (the Federation Internationale de Football Association).
Match balls are the next in terms of cost and are typically approved by the NFHS (the National Federation of High School Associations) and FIFA-approved or inspected. They usually have four to five layers inside. Practice or training balls are used for recreation, soccer camps and lower-level play. They are tough and durable to combat the effects of extended use, and they accommodate all surfaces of play for all ages. With only four or fewer layers, they are often covered with a lower-quality material, such as PVC, they're molded rather than stitched. They are the least expensive soccer balls. Indoor soccer balls are covered with a tennis ball-like felt material, while Futsal balls have a bladder filled with foam to reduce bounce on hard floors.
When buying soccer balls, it is important to purchase the proper size. Size 5 is used for ages 12 and up, including adult, professional and international play. Size 4 pertains to 8 to 12 year-old players, while children under 8 use Size 3 soccer balls. Sizes 2 and 1 are typically promotional balls and not intended for play. Make sure to check with the coach and/or soccer organization to determine the proper size because local rules can vary.
Common Pitfalls
The most common mistake is failing to match the correct ball with the level of play and use. Novice and recreational players should not use professional match-quality balls for kicking around in the driveway. Neither should practice balls be used in matches where proper bounce and shape can determine game performance and outcome.
Improper ball care can shorten the life of any soccer ball. Never sit or stand on a soccer ball, and avoid kicking match balls against hard surfaces because a warped ball will wobble, affecting proper performance. Mild soap and warm water, along with a damp cloth, can be used to clean off the dirt after use in wet, muddy conditions. Never use harsh detergents on your soccer ball. Wet balls should not be used in freezing temperatures because the surface can freeze causing injury, especially in youth play. Turf, grass and smooth surfaces are your soccer ball's friends. Gravel, asphalt and concrete are not.
Proper inflation is required for optimal performance. All balls will lose air pressure with time. Invest in a good ball pump and check the air pressure in your soccer balls frequently. Always moisten the needle before insertion when pumping up soccer balls. Match quality balls can be preserved by releasing some air pressure after each game, then re-inflating before the next one. This reduces pressure on the stitching and ensures extended use and durability. The whole game revolves around this spherical object, so remember that the ball should always fit the players using it.
The construction of a soccer ball is made up of a cover, stitching, lining and bladder. The cover generally consists of synthetic leather panels made of either polyurethane or polyvinyl chloride (PVC). Panels can be stitched, glued or thermally molded together. The stitching is typically a polyester thread. More expensive balls are hand-stitched, while less expensive ones are stitched by machine. The cheapest balls are glued together and have a harder, more brittle feel to the touch. The lining consists of layers of polyester and/or cotton between the cover and the bladder, providing the structure, bounce and strength of the soccer ball. The more layers built in, the higher the quality of the ball. The bladder is the part of the soccer ball that holds the air, and it can be either latex or butyl. Butyl bladders hold air far longer than the latex ones. Natural latex bladders have great response during game play, but release air gradually through tiny pores, so they must be re-inflated frequently.
What to Look for
Professional match-quality balls are used for international levels of play. Their design accommodates natural and artificial turf playing surfaces, as well as all climates. Five layers are used between the bladder and the surface of the ball to control trajectory, shape, balance, bounce and water absorption. They are the most expensive, made from the best material and undergo rigorous testing in order to be imprinted by the game's governing body, FIFA (the Federation Internationale de Football Association).
Match balls are the next in terms of cost and are typically approved by the NFHS (the National Federation of High School Associations) and FIFA-approved or inspected. They usually have four to five layers inside. Practice or training balls are used for recreation, soccer camps and lower-level play. They are tough and durable to combat the effects of extended use, and they accommodate all surfaces of play for all ages. With only four or fewer layers, they are often covered with a lower-quality material, such as PVC, they're molded rather than stitched. They are the least expensive soccer balls. Indoor soccer balls are covered with a tennis ball-like felt material, while Futsal balls have a bladder filled with foam to reduce bounce on hard floors.
When buying soccer balls, it is important to purchase the proper size. Size 5 is used for ages 12 and up, including adult, professional and international play. Size 4 pertains to 8 to 12 year-old players, while children under 8 use Size 3 soccer balls. Sizes 2 and 1 are typically promotional balls and not intended for play. Make sure to check with the coach and/or soccer organization to determine the proper size because local rules can vary.
Common Pitfalls
The most common mistake is failing to match the correct ball with the level of play and use. Novice and recreational players should not use professional match-quality balls for kicking around in the driveway. Neither should practice balls be used in matches where proper bounce and shape can determine game performance and outcome.
Improper ball care can shorten the life of any soccer ball. Never sit or stand on a soccer ball, and avoid kicking match balls against hard surfaces because a warped ball will wobble, affecting proper performance. Mild soap and warm water, along with a damp cloth, can be used to clean off the dirt after use in wet, muddy conditions. Never use harsh detergents on your soccer ball. Wet balls should not be used in freezing temperatures because the surface can freeze causing injury, especially in youth play. Turf, grass and smooth surfaces are your soccer ball's friends. Gravel, asphalt and concrete are not.
Proper inflation is required for optimal performance. All balls will lose air pressure with time. Invest in a good ball pump and check the air pressure in your soccer balls frequently. Always moisten the needle before insertion when pumping up soccer balls. Match quality balls can be preserved by releasing some air pressure after each game, then re-inflating before the next one. This reduces pressure on the stitching and ensures extended use and durability. The whole game revolves around this spherical object, so remember that the ball should always fit the players using it.
