How to choose a soccer – expert advice

The popularity of soccer is hard to overestimate – according to many experts, the game is the most popular sport in the world. From small backyard tournaments to world and European championships – soccer tournaments are watched by millions of people around the world. But soccer is not only about flawless technique, it’s also about the right equipment. Socks, shorts, cleats and especially the ball – everything affects the enjoyment of the game. This article was written based on an analysis of feedback from experienced soccer players, which will surely help you choose the right ball to play soccer.

content

1. The best manufacturers of soccer balls – which company to choose
2. The structure of a soccer ball
3. Kinds of soccer balls
4. Main criteria for choosing footballs
5. What kind of soccer ball to choose
6. How much is a soccer ball?

The best soccer ball manufacturers – which brand to choose?

Companies engaged in the production of soccer balls and related equipment nowadays – a great many. On sale you can find both inexpensive models of domestic production and products of world famous brands certified by FIFA and produced for prestigious international competitions. If we talk about specific manufacturers, soccer fans have heard of the following manufacturers:

1. uma;

2. Adidas;
3. Reebok;
4. Joma;
5. Select

The above-mentioned brands are manufacturers of the first category, namely their products belong to the so-called “first echelon” and are used in competitions of the international level. However, besides expensive models, you can find budget products that almost every soccer fan can afford.

Soccer ball design

A soccer is familiar to each of us. It is a complex structure consisting of at least three main layers:

1. The outer tire, made of thirty-two panels of pentagonal and hexagonal shape, sewn together with strong threads. These items are made of genuine leather, which provides high performance, wear resistance and the ability to withstand powerful impacts of footballers without damage;
2. The lining is a shock-absorbing layer which prevents damage to the cell and dampens shocks during the game. On how properly the lining is, entirely depends on the performance of the ball;
3. Chamber – a special rubber element inflated with air, thanks to which the ball holds its shape and has the necessary properties;

The classic, well-known soccer design was developed by Select half a century ago, but nowadays you can find footballs of all colors and tints on sale.

Footballs types

Professional footballs

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 for prestigious soccer championships. As a rule, even models from different manufacturers have similar characteristics, structure and even color – all this is a consequence of the careful compliance with international standards.

Advantages

• Highest quality workmanship;
• Availability of all necessary documents confirming the quality of products;
• All models have the same performance characteristics;
• The classic look;

Disadvantages

• High price;

Match

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

Advantages

• High quality manufacturing;
• A huge variety of colors and shades;
• Fully compliant with generally accepted standards;

Disadvantages

• Expensive;
• Not really suitable for yard games;

Training balls

As a rule, this class of balls includes inexpensive models, characterized by the use of low-cost materials – instead of leather they use PVC, and instead of strong thread that fastens the elements, they use heat treatment of seams. Such a design could not but affect the price: training balls are much cheaper than their analogs:

Advantages

• They are universal and suitable for all types of surfaces and coatings;
• Decent manufacturing quality;
• 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 springing and inertia characteristics. These balls practically do not bounce, and therefore are suitable for playing on almost any surface. They differ in manufacturing design – in some cases, the outer cover may have a pile coating, as well as the size – these balls are much smaller than their counterparts and are suitable for playing mini-football;

Advantages

• High quality manufacturing;
• Low springing characteristics;
• Compact size;

Disadvantages

• They are used exclusively for indoor playgrounds and for mini-football;

Balls for beach soccer

Their design is originally intended for use on a sandy or grassy surface, and therefore their design has very specific requirements. First, such a ball should be soft and allow you to play comfortably on the sand. Secondly, it should not be heavy so that you can play as comfortably as possible even with bare feet. Another feature of these balls is a very democratic price.

Advantages

• High quality workmanship; softness
• Softness;
• Low weight;
• Democratic price;

Disadvantages

• Low strength;
• Lack of resistance to mechanical stresses;

Main criteria of choice of footballs

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

The size of the ball

All footballs fall into three categories:

1. The third size – compact balls, up to 65 centimeters in circumference and up to 330-335 grams in weight;
2. Size four – weight up to 360 grams, the length of the circumference of up to 70 centimeters;
3. Size 5 – the largest soccer balls. Reaching 75 centimeters in circumference and weighing 400 grams;

Method of assembly

As noted above, all footballs are a “construction set”, put together from many pieces. The method of joining them can be one of three:

1. Machine stitching. Nylon threads are used, and the places where the seams will be laid are marked in advance. The disadvantage of such a design is not high enough strength;
2. Hand stitched. The seam is made manually with a special needle, and therefore is characterized by maximum strength and reliability. Of the disadvantages should be noted quite high cost due to the use of manual labor;
3. Gluing. The most simple and low-quality method of assembling a ball. Used, as a rule, only in inexpensive models of balls;

Ball chamber

The inner part, which is designed to retain air and provides the proper operation of the ball. Almost always it is made of latex or butyl. The first option is better in operational terms, but very often it “bleeds” air and therefore needs to be pumped up. The second, on the contrary, perfectly holds pressure, but is characterized by excessive rigidity and density, which negatively affects the overall performance of the ball.

The material of the outer layer

For quite a long time balls were made of leather, but now this material has moved into the background and is the destiny of exclusive, more expensive models. The lion’s share of the balls on sale is made from polyurethane or PVC. Polyurethane is similar to leather in its parameters and has characteristics similar to it, and therefore it is used in the most expensive models of balls. PVC is the destiny of cheap models in the budget price range.

Lining

The intermediate layer which provides the necessary stiffness and elasticity during the game, as well as maintains the shape of the ball. The most popular is a special foam material that has no memory and perfectly maintains its own shape even during intensive play.

Which soccer to choose?

1. If you are a professional soccer player, using the appropriate equipment and play in specialized stadiums with turf, it is best to prefer professional or match balls;
2. Playing on the beach sand on a summer day requires the use of compact beach models;
3. If the main kind of game is futsal or indoor soccer, you should prefer a compact ball for indoor courts;
4. Normal yard soccer or amateur matches are not so demanding to the quality of the ball. For this reason, a training ball will be the best option;
5. When choosing a soccer ball for children, it is important to consider the age group and relate it to the size of the ball. For the youngest players, whose age is 7-8 years, the ball is suitable number 3. Conversely, for 14-15 year olds it is best to buy a ball number five;

How much is a soccer ball?

1. Inexpensive footballs of training class cost about 1000-1500 roubles;
2. Polyurethane training balls have a higher price, about 2-4 thousand rubles;
3. High-quality match models from famous manufacturers are even more expensive. The cost of such models starts at the mark of 4-4.5 thousand and ends with 7-8 thousand rubles;
4. The most expensive are professional footballs. Their price can reach 15-20 thousand for a quality branded item.

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