Buying a soccer ball is a matter of selecting the right ball for your needs at the right price. The process boils down to choosing the size and construction of the ball based on the player’s age and league requirements. Correct ball size is usually determined by age, with the younger the player, the smaller the ball in most cases. After you establish the size of your soccer ball, cost becomes a factor in selecting the construction of the ball. Regardless of size, the construction of the ball and material it is made of is the biggest factor in cost, with various synthetic-leather balls being the most expensive and basic rubber-type soccer balls costing the least.
High-quality leather is no longer the favorite choice for soccer balls because it just isn’t as durable as the synthetic materials are. Leather balls can begin to absorb moisture over time, making them heavier and slower on the field, both undesirable qualities for soccer balls.Looking at cost alone, there are three basic categories of soccer balls. The balls used in professional international World Cup matches meet all Federation Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) requirements and are imprinted with the organization’s logo on the ball. They are also the most expensive type of soccer ball. In the midrange of cost are the match balls used in college and high school competition. Recreational and training balls fill out the least expensive category. Commemorative balls, collectible balls and team balls can be found in any category, but will always cost more than comparable plain balls of the same type.
There are several types of material used in soccer ball construction with most being proprietary blends of polyurethane (PU), polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and common rubber or nylon. The best and most expensive PU balls feel like real leather and are very firm, durable and water-resistant. The less-expensive PVC balls are also very durable but often have glossy outer coverings that are not as soft and responsive as the PU-blend balls. Common rubber and nylon balls can present a real value because they cost the least and last the longest. Although the rubber and nylon soccer balls lack the feel of match balls, they do work well for practice and training even though they are not used in any official leagues.
When shopping for soccer balls you will quickly notice that they are all clearly marked in three sizes with the smaller the size number, the smaller the ball. Instead of using a basic 1, 2, 3-size range, soccer balls use sizes 3, 4 and 5. Generally, the youngest players start with the smallest size 3 balls, and as they grow in age and skill, progress through size 4 to size 5 balls. An exception would be indoor soccer leagues that use only size 4 balls due to their smaller playing fields and smaller goals.
The size 3 soccer balls used for beginners and children under 8 years old are about 23-inches in circumference and weigh 12-ounces. Size 4 balls are designed for players between the ages of 8 and 12 and weigh about the same as the smaller balls at 12-ounces but move up in circumference to just over 25-inches. Size 5 soccer balls are designed for use by all players 13 and older and are built to the international standard size for all sanctioned competition. The size 5 balls, also known as adult soccer balls, weigh about 15-ounces and have a circumference of 28-inches. Most of the soccer balls on the planet today are size 5 balls.
Additional factors to consider in soccer ball construction are the lining and the bladder of the ball. The linings are the layer of construction underneath the outer covering and control the shape and feel of the ball. The bladder contains the air inside the ball and also contributes to shape and responsiveness.
The most expensive professional and match soccer balls usually have four layers of a combined cotton/polyester-blend lining. Mid-range balls generally have two layers of cotton and two layers of polyester as lining, while the least expensive balls feature only two layers of polyester lining.
Soccer ball bladders come in two different varieties; latex and butyl. The latex bladders are considered the best, most responsive type of ball construction, but they don’t hold air as efficiently as the butyl bladders and need attention to proper inflation. Latex bladders are found on the highest-quality balls. Butyl or butyl-blend bladders hold their air better than latex but are harder and generally less responsive in play. The most common type of bladder found in mid-priced balls will likely be a blend of 80% butyl with 20% rubber.
One more choice you’ll have to make is the number of panels on your soccer ball. The panels influence the aerodynamics of the ball and how much control the player will have using it. The fewer the number of panels equals more air resistance and better control because the player can get the ball to curve in flight. A 32-panel constructed ball is the type used in most international soccer competition. Major League Soccer in the United States uses an 18-panel ball for a bit more ball control, and most indoor soccer leagues use balls with just 6-panels for the fast action on the smaller fields used indoors.
Panels on high-end soccer balls are hand-stitched with polyester-type synthetic threads. Most mid-priced soccer balls have the same high-quality thread but are machine stitched to reduce cost. Low-cost practice and training balls will usually have panels that are glued together over the lining.
You can compare ball construction features and mix and match the materials to suit your needs and price range. Good all-around soccer balls are relatively affordable, ranging from $20 to $80 and good practice balls can be purchased for as little as $15 in many cases. The price goes up for specialty balls though, with a Nike Mia Hamm autographed match ball retailing for over $200. For most young players, an inexpensive training ball is usually sufficient.
The biggest names in soccer ball manufacturing today are Adidas, Nike,Voit, Puma, Brine, Diadora and Fifa. The companies offering the most popular indoor soccer balls are Brine, Voit, Spectrum and Champion. And the best place to find the best deals on those soccer balls is right here at Soccerballs.com.
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