What are soccer balls like and what does their price depend on? Full guide from an expert

Sportmaster PRO expert, three times champion of the Leningrad Region in soccer

“The soccer ball is a key element in the game, affecting both the success of the training process and the performance of the player during the match. Proper choice is of great importance. There are options for different types of surfaces, weather conditions and skill levels, and mistakes when buying can lead to discomfort and injury. Here’s what to look out for.

Types of soccer balls

1. Grass soccer balls

They usually have a dense and wear-resistant outer shell – the cover. They are designed to provide good bounce and control on soft, uneven surfaces. These balls are used on both professional and amateur soccer fields.

Soccer ball Nike NK FLIGHT (professional), 13 999 rub.

2. Balls for playing on artificial turf

Balls, which are designed for playing on artificial turf, do not differ much from the variants for natural turf. Sometimes players choose models that can withstand increased load and friction. These are characterized by a stiffer tire and increased resistance to wear and tear.

3. competitive balls

Competition balls meet the strict standards of FIFA and other soccer federations: FIFA Quality and Quality Pro, FIFA Basic, IMS. They have the highest quality of workmanship and perfect shape, and therefore facilitate control and accuracy of shots. They are used in official and amateur matches.

Ball size and weight

When choosing one, it is extremely important to consider the age of the player. The right size will allow you to improve your skills more effectively and will not discourage you from playing soccer. This is especially important in the case of young soccer players. If, for example, give a child a heavy ball, not suitable for him in size and weight, he will not be able to make a strong shot, normally pass and control the ball. At the same time, the risk of injury will increase.

Commonly accepted size ranges include:

• size 3 – for children up to seven years old;
• size 4 for children between the ages of seven and 12;
• size 5 – for players over 12 years old (standard size for adults and competitions).

The same logic applies to the weight of a soccer ball: adults play with balls weighing 440-450 g (size 5), children from seven to 12 years – 290-390 g (size 4), small children – 250-290 g (size 3).

Futsal balls, or mini soccer balls, are slightly different from regular soccer balls. Their maximum size is size 4, and their weight is not so critical (420 g vs. 450 g), which makes them feel heavier.

Demix DF900 Thermo FIFA Qualily Pro soccer ball (professional), 6499 rubles.

Material and construction

Leather balls

Traditionally, leather balls were used in professional and amateur soccer, but today they are very rare – mostly as a souvenir in retro aesthetics.

Leather provides good control, but its performance is highly dependent on weather conditions: temperature and humidity. The material easily absorbs water, which makes it heavy and makes the behavior of balls very unpredictable. In addition, leather hardens in cold weather.

PUMA Orbita 1 Tb Fifa Quality Pro soccer ball (professional), 13 499 rub.

Synthetic balls

Modern soccer balls are most often made of synthetic material: polyurethane or polyvinyl chloride (PVC). They differ from their natural counterparts in durability and resistance to moisture, which makes them an ideal choice for all weather conditions.

Differences in the internal construction of the balls

Soccer balls can be manufactured using different technologies. Which are?

1. Machine stitching. It is the most widespread. This is how the balls of the budget category are produced.
2. Hybrid technology is used in the production of balls of the middle price segment – they can have a license FIFA Quality, FIFA Basic or IMS.
3. Hand stitching is used in the production of balls made of thick material that can withstand heavy impact and friction. Such balls are sometimes used in tournaments and competitions.

Adidas Tiro Competition soccer ball (medium category), 6999 rub.

Thermal Technology, or seamless thermal bonding, is the technology used to make the most expensive professional-level balls. Most often they have a FIFA Quality Pro license. They are used in high-level matches more often than balls with stitching (including hand stitching).

The inner part can be made of latex or butyl. The former provides better bounce but loses air faster, while the latter loses slightly in terms of control and predictability but retains its shape and pressure longer.

PUMA Orbita 4 Hyb soccer ball (for children, suitable for training and games), 4499 rub.

The behavior of the ball is determined not only by the tire and chamber, but also by the special layer between them. It is also known as the backing layer, whose task is to ensure the bounciness of the ball and protect the chamber from sharp impacts. As a rule, the layer is made of foam or non-woven material. The former is characterized by greater elasticity, the latter by durability.

Texture and aerodynamics

The texture of the ball directly affects its grip. A smooth ball is less predictable in flight, while a textured version provides better contact with the cleats and allows for better trajectory control.

Seamless thermal bonding technology is more often than not used with different textures. In this case, the special surface of the ball allows for greater control when driving, receiving and passing. At the same time, the technology ensures that the ball retains its shape perfectly, thus ensuring accurate hitting.

The aerodynamics of the ball play a key role in its behavior in the air. The best shape is the sphere, but manufacturing it is not as trivial as it seems.

Demix DF700 Hybrid FIFA Quality soccer ball (medium category), 3399 rubles.

If table tennis balls are made by fusing two identical halves, then in the case of soccer balls you can’t do that: the size is too large and the behavioral requirements are too high. Therefore, for a long time the most popular shape was truncated icosahedron, consisting of 12 pentagonal and 20 hexagonal elements. The shape is as close as possible to a sphere, but is simple to produce.

In recent decades, developers have tried other shapes. Modern technologies allow to create balls with optimized aerodynamic properties, which improves the accuracy and range of strokes. As an example – Telstar 18, which was used at the World Cup in 2018.

Color and design

Color is a characteristic not so much functional as taste. However, sometimes this parameter can make a difference: for example, bright colors and contrasting patterns can make the ball more visible in low-light conditions or large stadiums.

Kappa soccer ball (medium category), 3599 rubles.

Even beginners are recommended to choose balls in the medium price category. Pay attention to the material and size of the ball to match the age and level of play. Experienced players can invest in higher quality balls to suit their needs.

FIFA Quality certified competition balls are a great choice for those who are serious about the sport.

Still, the most important thing is to find a ball that you like not only for its performance but also for its appearance. It is such a ball that will inspire you to new trainings and will help you to achieve the desired results. And then every shot will be accurate and every match will be successful!