Neither Beckham nor Pele can play soccer without a soccer ball. And so when your child decides to suit up for soccer, he or she will need a ball, too. When selecting a soccer ball, there are 3 general factors to consider: size, color, and quality.
Selecting the appropriate size is important, but thankfully easy. Soccer balls come in only one of three sizes (ranging from 3 to 5). Size 3 soccer balls are the smallest and are generally used for children under the age of 8. A size 3 ball is 23-24 inches in circumference and weighs 11-12 ounces. Size 4 balls are generally used for players between the ages of 8 and 12. A size 4 ball is 25-26 inches in circumference and weighs 12-13 ounces. Size 5 soccer balls are the international standard balls for all ages 13 and older, including adults. A size 5 ball is 27-28 inches in circumference and weighs 14-16 ounces. Your individual soccer league may have different size requirements (particularly in the younger ages), so be sure to check with your coach or league for the proper size.
Soccer balls come in all different colors and designs. Selecting the best one for your son or daughter is really an individual preference. However, one factor to consider is that soccer balls tend to get scattered during practices. Therefore, it may be worthwhile for you to select a unique design or color so that it is less likely for your ball to get lost or mixed up with a teammate’s ball.
Price and quality of soccer balls run the gamut from very cheap plastic balls that are uncomfortable to kick to very expensive leather soccer balls that are soft to the touch and easy to handle. In general, the maxim is as true for soccer balls as it is for everything else: you get what you pay for. Of course, big name brands may charge a little extra for their logo, and some of the quality in the very high-end balls may be lost on all but the most competitive players. But we’ll discuss all that.
The price for soccer balls varies greatly, ranging from about $10-150. The 4 main components to the quality of a soccer ball are the cover, panels, lining, and bladder.
Covers: The highest quality covers are made of leather or, next best, synthetic leather. Leather and synthetic leather covers offer a soft, superior feel to the ball. Unfortunately, leather and synthetic leather covers are the most expensive and the least durable covers available. Polyurethane (PU) covers, by comparison, have some of the softness of a leather cover, but add a plastic material for increased durability. PU covers thus retain a feel that is similar (though still inferior) to leather, but have the added benefit of increased water- and scuff-resistance. PU covers are less expensive than leather and synthetic leather, but more expensive than poly vinyl chloride (PVC) covers, which are the least expensive. PVC covers are molded out of a plastic-like material and have the benefits of high durability and low costs, but are hard and do not feel as good as the other balls.
Panels: Panels are the different segments that make up the outside of the ball. The two decisions to make when it comes to panels are the number of panels and whether they are stitched or glued together. Most balls, including those used in most professional matches, have a 32-panel design. Other traditional designs include 18- and 26-panel constructions. It is thought that fewer panels on the soccer ball means greater instability of the cover, making it easier to curve the ball when kicked. However, the driving force to selecting the number of panels for your ball should probably be the attractiveness of the design (unless your son or daughter is an expert at curving the ball). Panels can either be stitched or glued together. The highest quality and most expensive soccer balls are hand-stitched together. Hand stitched balls have the tightest and strongest seams. Mid-priced balls are machine-stitched. Lower-end soccer balls have their panels glued together onto the lining. Although less expensive, glued panels have the disadvantage of a harder feel than stitched panels.
Lining: Linings of soccer balls lie between the cover/panels and the bladder. Linings help provide the shape, feel, control, durability and structure of the ball. More expensive, higher quality balls have 4 layers of polyester and cotton lining. Mid-level quality and price balls have 2 or 3 layers of cotton and 2 layers of polyester. The lower-level balls generally have only 2 layers of polyester.
Bladder: The bladder is actually the part of the ball that most determines its quality and price. There are two basic types of bladders: latex and butyl. Latex bladders have a good, soft feel and are found in higher quality balls. Butyl bladders often combine butyl with latex rubber and can cause the ball to have a harder feel. Another difference is that latex bladders do not retain air as well as butyl bladders and thus require more frequent filling.
Most balls use butyl valves for air retention. Higher end balls have silicone-treated valves for superior performance, enabling smooth insertion of the inflating needle and added protection against air loss. If the soccer ball you purchase does not have a silicone treated valve, it is a good idea to put a few drops of silicone oil in the valve. This will improve the performance of the valve. Of course, when purchasing a soccer ball it is also wise to buy a small pump and some needles because every ball will require occasional re-inflation.
What construction quality is right for you, your children, or your team depends on your needs and resources. For most players, a polyurethane cover with machine-stitched panels, at least 3 layers of cotton and polyester lining, and a butyl bladder should be adequate. This should cost approximately $30-60. Generally, as a child’s age and skill increases, so too should the quality of the soccer ball. That said, even the youngest, most novice player may be turned off of the game if he or she is forced to play with a hard, plastic ball with glued together panels that hurts to kick.
A final point worth consideration is that balls marked with either “FIFA Inspected,” “FIFA Approved,” or “International Matchball Standard” have been tested by FIFA (Federation Internationale de Football Association) to ensure both the quality of the ball and that child labor was not used in the construction of the balls. The mark of “FIFA Approved” ensures the highest standard of testing. Soccer balls may carry other inscriptions and logos; however it is FIFA that offers the highest level of quality assurance. Good related websites: http://www.soccerballworld.com/Construction.htm http://www.soccerclinics.com/ICABallConstruction.htm
Author Information:
Grant Cooper, MD
Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
New York-Presbyterian Hospital
The University Hospitals of Columbia and Cornell |
