How to choose a soccer ball – expert advice

The popularity of football is difficult to overestimate – according to numerous questions, this game is the most popular sport in the whole world. From small courtyard competitions to the World and European Championships, football competitions are followed by millions of people around the world. But football is not only an impeccable playing technique, it is also a properly selected equipment. Leg warmers, shorts, boots and especially the ball – all affect the enjoyment of the game. Based on the analysis of the reviews of experienced football players, this article was written, which will surely help you choose the right ball for playing football.

The best soccer ball manufacturers – which company to choose

There are a great many companies that produce footballs and related equipment. Both inexpensive domestically produced models and products of world famous brands, certified by FIFA and manufactured for prestigious international competitions, are on sale. If we talk about specific manufacturers, the following manufacturers are heard by football fans:

1. Puma;

2. Adidas;

3. Reebok;

4. Joma;

5. Select

The aforementioned brands are manufacturers of the first category, it is their products that belong to the so-called 'first echelon' and are used in international competitions. However, in addition to expensive models, you can also find budget products on sale, which will probably be affordable for almost every football lover.

Soccer ball device

The soccer ball is well known to each of us. It is a complex structure consisting of at least three main layers:

1. An outer cover made of thirty-two panels of five- and hexagonal shapes, sewn together with strong threads. These elements are made of genuine leather, which ensures high performance properties, durability and the ability to withstand powerful kicks from football players without damage;

2. The lining is a shock-absorbing layer that prevents damage to the camera and absorbs shocks during the game. The performance of the ball depends entirely on how correct the pad is;

3. The chamber is a special rubber element inflated with air, thanks to which the ball holds its shape and has the properties it needs;

The classic, well-known design of a soccer ball was developed by Select half a century ago, but now you can find soccer balls of absolutely any color and shade on sale.

Types of soccer balls

Professional balls

The highest quality, tested and, accordingly, expensive models, certified by FIFA and other international associations. As a rule, they are purchased by professional companies for high-level games as well as prestigious football championships. As a rule, even models from different manufacturers have similar characteristics, structure and even color – all this is a consequence of careful adherence to international standards.

Advantages

• Highest quality workmanship;

• Availability of all necessary documents confirming the quality of products;

• The same performance characteristics for all models;

• Classic appearance;

disadvantages

• High price;

Match

Compared to the above-described models, match footballs differ in much more democratic characteristics and, accordingly, in price. They are intended for playing football on any type of surface, and their performance properties ensure maximum durability and wear resistance, regardless of the intensity of the game.

Advantages

• High quality workmanship;

• A huge variety of colors and shades;

• Full compliance with generally accepted standards;

disadvantages

• Expensive;

• Not quite suitable for outdoor games;

Practice balls

As a rule, this class of balls includes inexpensive models that differ in the use of budget materials – polyvinyl chloride is used instead of leather, and instead of a strong thread that holds the elements together, heat treatment of the seams is used here. This design could not help but affect the price: training balls are much cheaper than their counterparts:

Advantages

• Versatile, suitable for playing on all types of surfaces and coatings;

• Decent workmanship;

• The cost is very democratic;

disadvantages

• Low mechanical strength;

• The quality is lower than that of professional and match models;

Futsal balls and indoor models

Compact models with low spring and inertia characteristics. Such balls practically do not jump, and therefore are suitable for playing on almost any surface. They differ in manufacturing design – in some situations the outer tire can have a fleecy coating, as well as in size – these balls are much smaller than their counterparts and are suitable for playing mini-football;

Advantages

• High quality workmanship;

• Low spring performance;

• Compact dimensions;

disadvantages

• Used exclusively for indoor play and mini-football;

Beach Soccer Balls

Their design initially implies use on a sandy or grassy surface, and therefore very specific requirements are imposed on their design. First, such a ball should be soft and comfortable to play on the sand. Secondly, it should not be heavy in order to play as comfortably as possible, even with bare feet. Another feature of such balls is a very democratic cost.

Advantages

• High quality workmanship; Softness

• Softness;

• Low weight;

• Affordable price;

disadvantages

• Low strength;

• Insufficient resistance to mechanical stress;

The main criteria for choosing soccer balls

In order to find a really suitable soccer ball, you should pay attention to the following features:

Ball size

All soccer balls are divided into three general categories:

1. The third size is compact balls, up to 65 centimeters in circumference and up to 330-335 grams of weight;

2. The fourth size – weight up to 360 grams, circumference up to 70 centimeters;

3. The fifth size is the largest soccer balls. Reaches 75 centimeters in circumference and weighs 400 grams;

Assembly method

As noted above, all soccer balls are a 'construction kit' made up of many pieces. The way they are connected can be one of three:

1. Machine stitching. Nylon threads are used, and the places where the seam will pass are pre-marked. The disadvantage of this design is insufficiently high strength;

2. Manual stitching. The seam is made by hand using a special needle, and therefore has maximum strength and reliability. Of the minuses, it should be noted that the cost is quite high due to the use of manual labor;

3. Gluing. The easiest and lowest quality way to assemble the ball. Used, as a rule, exclusively in inexpensive ball models;

Ball camera

An inner part designed to retain air and to provide proper ball performance. It is almost always made from latex or butyl. The first option is better in terms of operation, but very often it 'undermines' the air and, accordingly, needs pumping. The second, on the contrary, perfectly holds pressure, but it is distinguished by excessive rigidity and density, which negatively affects the general characteristics of the ball.

Outer layer material

For quite a long time, balls were made of genuine leather, but at present this material has faded into the background and is the lot of exclusive, most expensive models. The lion's share of the balls on sale are made of polyurethane or polyvinyl chloride-PVC. Polyurethane is similar in its parameters to natural leather and has characteristics similar to it, and therefore is used in the most expensive ball models. PVC is the lot of cheap models in a budget price range.

Lining

An intermediate layer that provides the necessary rigidity and elasticity during the game, and also maintains the shape of the ball. The most popular is a special foam material that has no memory and perfectly retains its own shape even during intense play.

Which soccer ball to choose

1. If you are a professional football player, wear appropriate equipment and play in specialized turf stadiums, it is best to prefer professional or match balls;

2. Playing a summer day on the beach sand requires the use of compact beach models;

3. If the main type of game is futsal or mini-football, a compact ball for indoor courts should be preferred;

4. Ordinary backyard football or amateur matches are not so demanding on the quality of the ball. For this reason, a practice ball is the best option;

5. If a ball is chosen for children, it is necessary to take into account the age group and relate it to the size of the ball. For the smallest footballers, who are 7-8 years old, a ball of 3 numbers is suitable. Conversely, it is best for 14-15 year olds to buy a ball of the fifth number;

How much does a soccer ball cost?

1. Inexpensive training-grade soccer balls cost about 1000-1500 rubles;

2. Polyurethane training balls are more expensive, about 2-4 thousand rubles;

3. High-quality match models from renowned manufacturers are even more expensive. The cost of such models starts at around 4-4.5 thousand and ends with 7-8 thousand rubles;

4. The most expensive are professional balls. Their price can reach 15-20 thousand for a high-quality branded item.

In the following articles, our experts will tell you how to choose football boots and the secrets to choosing a basketball ball.

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Attention! This material is the subjective opinion of the authors of the project and is not a purchase guide.