Football makes for one of the most amusing sports where you get to enter into the beast mode and make clever strategies how to defeat the team on the other side of the goal. And if you’re enthusiastic about playing football, you probably know that the ball you play with makes a huge difference and playing with the wrong one can be very challenging and daunting.
But if you were on the market searching for the perfect soccer ball for your games, know that you’ll come across a huge range of different types that are packed with different features. This is why we wrapped up a couple of tips to help you choose the right option.
Types of Soccer Balls
Whether you’re about to explore footballs online or in your favourite brick and mortar sports store, know that footballs are specifically designed for different types of games. Hence, we can generally split footballs into three categories:
Match Soccer Balls
Match soccer balls are used exclusively for official games due to their specific construction and their durability. These balls are made by using advanced techniques and high-quality materials to ensure that they’ll deliver the best performance.
When it comes to match foot balls, they can also be split into two categories- premium match balls and official match balls. Premium match balls are used in international level matches and top leagues, and are known for being approved by FIFA. These balls have to pass the testing procedures of this soccer governing body which is the most updated and currently the only complete process of testing a soccer ball.
On the other hand, official match balls are also made from high-quality materials and constructed to be long lasting and deliver an excellent performance. However, when we’re talking about their quality, they still stay between premium match balls and training balls. Hence, official match balls are mostly used in college and high school tournaments.
Training Soccer Balls
Training balls for soccer are of lower quality than match balls, but the most durable of all the types at the same time. This is due to them being designed for practising purposes where balls are mostly exposed to wear and tear.
If their low quality, but high durability properties sound confusing, know that “low quality” doesn’t refer to the materials these balls are made of, but to their performance. In fact, training balls are usually machine-stitched, tougher and less responsive than match balls. However, these properties are considered quite okay for training purposes.
Futsal Soccer Balls
Since futsal is played in smaller courts than the typical football game, futsal balls are also smaller in size. However, this doesn’t make them less weighty than the standard soccer ball.
If you’re wondering how, know that futsal balls should be able to keep the bounce low, and this is why they’re filled with foam, unlike the typical soccer balls that are filled with air. However, this also means that you should be able to maintain good control to handle this ball effectively, and therefore, they’re perfect for improving your skills.
Soccer Balls Construction
One of the greatest factors that determine the durability and the performance of a football ball is its construction. Hence, balls for soccer are built from two parts- the casing which is the external layer that covers the ball and the bladder which is the internal compartment that keeps the ball filled with air.
Casing
Soccer balls’ outer layers are usually made either from PVC (polyvinyl chloride) or PU (polyurethane), as well as a combination of both of the materials.
When it comes to PVC balls, they may be a more wallet-friendly option, but know that they aren’t as durable as PU ones and also tend to harden which will highly impact your performance.
On the other hand, PU materials are usually used in premium balls. This is due to PU being a thermosetting plastic that features excellent elasticity and is resistant to quick wear and tear. These balls are soft to touch, feature excellent responsiveness and are way more durable than PVC ones.
Bladder
Soccer balls’ inner compartment is usually built from materials such as rubber, latex or butyl. Starting from rubber bladders, they’re great for keeping air retention and this is why they’re most commonly used in recreational balls.
When it comes to balls for professional football matches, the bladder is usually made from latex since it provides a softer feel and a better surface tension. However, latex features micropores that will allow the air to escape slowly, and these balls should be re-inflated more often.
But if you’re looking for a premium ball you won’t have to re-inflate every few matches, know that butyl bladders are also a good option since they offer both, contact quality and great air retention.
Picking the Right Size
Balls for soccer also come in different sizes, depending on your age and your skills. And even though different manufacturers may have their own sizing charts, there’s still a general worldwide accepted classification that splits balls into four categories:
- Size 1 balls are mini balls that are intended for the youngest players or for those who want to improve their footwork or their general soccer skills.
- Size 3 balls are intended for children under the age of 8. These balls are very lightweight and mustn’t weigh more than 340g.
- Size 4 balls are mostly intended for children between the ages of 8 and 12, and weigh around 350 and 390g, depending on the players’ body size and capabilities.
- Size 5 balls are intended for everybody over the age of 13, weighing around 450g. Hence, these balls are the heaviest and the bulkiest, and therefore the hardest to handle.
Additional Tips
Once you determine the type, the size and the construction of your soccer ball, you’re done with the basic factors. But this doesn’t mean that you should make your decision at this point, since there’re a couple of other factors you need to take into consideration.
For instance, a soccer balls’ panel number plays a huge role in your performance. Most of the balls on the market will feature from 18 to 26 panels and know that they aren’t recommended at all. This is due to the fact that it’s impossible to produce a perfectly round ball featuring this range of panels. On the other hand, balls with 32 panels are Nobel Prize winners and the only ones that ensure a perfectly round construction.
But even if you choose a ball featuring 32 panels, it would be in vain if they’re not bonded as they should. Balls featuring panels that are joined with different glues and adhesives are not recommended at all, since they tend to weaken very easy and feel hard on your feet.
On the other hand, stitched balls are considered better since they’re shown to stand the test of the time and won’t crack up after every rougher kick. They may not be the most budget-friendly option, but they’re completely worth the investment.
Now that you know what to look for, don’t wait to visit your favourite sports shop or buy footballs online and see how they improve your performance on the pitch.
