How to choose a soccer ball - expert advice

The popularity of football is difficult to overestimate - according to numerous question, this game is the most popular sport in the world. Beginning with small domestic competitions and ending with the World and European Championships - millions of people all over the world are watching football competitions. But football is not only an impeccable technique of the game, it is also the right equipment. Gaiters, shorts, boots, and especially the ball - all affect the fun of the game. According to the analysis of feedback from experienced players, this article was written, which will certainly help you choose the right ball for playing football.

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1. The best manufacturers of soccer balls - which company to choose
   
2. Soccer ball device
3. Types of soccer balls
4. The main criteria for the selection of soccer balls
5. Which soccer ball to choose
6. How much is a soccer ball?

The best manufacturers of soccer balls - which company to choose

Firms involved in the production of footballs and related equipment at the present time - a great many. Both low-cost models of domestic production and products of world famous brands certified by FIFA and produced for prestigious international competitions are on sale. If we talk about specific manufacturers, the following manufacturers are well known to football fans:

1. Puma;

2. Adidas;

3. Reebok;

4. Joma;

5. Select

The above-mentioned brands are the manufacturers of the first category, their products belong to the so-called “first echelon” and are used in international competitions. However, in addition to expensive models, you can also find budget products on sale, which will almost certainly be affordable for almost every football fan.

Soccer ball device

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

1. The outer tire is made of thirty-two panels of five- and hexagonal shape, stitched together with strong threads. These elements are made of genuine leather, which provides high performance properties, wear resistance and the ability to withstand the powerful blows of football players without damage;

2. The lining is a cushioning layer that prevents damage to the camera and extinguishes shocks during the game. The performance of the ball depends entirely on how correct the pad is;

3. The camera is a special rubber element inflated by air, thanks to which the ball holds its shape and has the properties it needs;

The classic, well-known design of a soccer ball was developed by Select half a century ago, but now you can find soccer balls of absolutely any color and shade.

Types of soccer balls

Professional balls

The highest quality, proven and, accordingly, expensive models certified by FIFA and other international associations.As a rule, they are acquired by professional companies for high-level games, as well as prestigious football championships. As a rule, even models from different manufacturers have similar characteristics, structure and even color - all this is a result of careful adherence to international standards.

Virtues

• Top quality workmanship;

• Availability of all necessary documents confirming the quality of products;

• Same performance characteristics for all models;

• Classic appearance;

disadvantages

• High price;

Match

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

Virtues

• High quality workmanship;

• A huge variety of colors and shades;

• Full compliance with generally accepted standards;

disadvantages

• Expensive;

• Not quite suitable for yard games;

Training balls

As a rule, low-cost models referring to the use of budget materials are referred to this class of balls - polyvinyl chloride is used instead of leather, and heat treatment of seams is used instead of durable yarn fastening elements. Such a design could not but affect the price: training balls are much cheaper than their counterparts:

Virtues

• Versatile, suitable for playing on all types of surfaces and coatings;

• Worthy workmanship;

• The cost is very democratic;

disadvantages

• Low mechanical strength;

• The quality is lower than that of professional and match models;

Futsal balls and models for indoor areas

Compact models with low spring and inertia characteristics. These balls practically do not jump, and therefore are suitable for playing on almost any surface. They differ in construction design - the outer tire in some situations may have a fleecy coating, as well as in size - these balls are much smaller than their counterparts and are suitable for playing mini-soccer;

Beach Soccer Balls

Their design initially implies use on a sandy or grassy surface, and therefore very specific requirements are imposed on their design. First, such a ball should be soft and allow to play comfortably in the sand. Secondly, it should not be heavy in order to play as comfortably as possible even with bare feet. Another feature of these balls - a very affordable cost.

Virtues

• High quality performance; Softness

• Softness;

• Low weight;

• Affordable price;

disadvantages

• Low strength;

• Insufficient resistance to mechanical stress;

The main criteria for the selection of soccer balls

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

Ball size

All footballs are divided into three conditional categories:

1. The third size is compact balls, up to 65 centimeters in circumference and up to 330-335 grams of weight;

2. The fourth size - weight up to 360 grams, circumference up to 70 centimeters;

3. The fifth size is the largest footballs. They reach 75 centimeters in circumference and weights 400 grams;

Assembly method

As noted above, all footballs are a "designer", assembled together from a variety of particles. The way their compounds can be one of three:

1. Machine stitching. Nylon threads are used, and the places where the seam will pass are designated in advance. The disadvantage of this design is not high enough strength;

2. Manual stitching. The seam is performed manually using a special needle, and therefore is distinguished by maximum strength and reliability. Of the minuses should be noted relatively high cost due to the use of manual labor;

3. Gluing. The most simple and low-quality way to build the ball. It is used, as a rule, exclusively in inexpensive models of balls;

Ball camera

The inner part is designed to hold air and ensure proper performance of the ball. Almost always made from latex or from butyl. The first option is better in the operational plan, but very often it “tampers” the air and, accordingly, needs pumping. The second, on the contrary, holds the pressure perfectly, however, it is characterized by excessive rigidity and density, which negatively affects the general characteristics of the ball.

Outer layer material

For quite a long time the balls were made of genuine leather, but now this material has faded into the background and is the lot of exclusive, most expensive models. The lion's share of the balls presented in the sale is made of polyurethane or polyvinyl chloride-PVC. Polyurethane in its parameters is similar to natural leather and has characteristics similar to it, and therefore is used in the most expensive models of balls. PVC is the lot of cheap models of the budget price range.

Lining

An intermediate layer that provides the necessary rigidity and elasticity during the game, as well as keeping the shape of the ball. The most popular is a special foam material that has no memory and perfectly preserves its own shape even with intense play.

Which soccer ball to choose

1. If you are a professional football player, use appropriate equipment and play on specialized lawn-covered stadiums, it is best to prefer professional or match balls;

2. Playing a summer day on beach sand requires the use of compact beach models;

3. If the main type of game is futsal or futsal, you should prefer a compact ball for indoor areas;

4. Regular street football or amateur matches are not so demanding on the quality of the ball. For this reason, a training ball will be the best option;

5. If the ball is chosen for children, it is necessary to take into account the age group and relate it to the size of the ball. For the smallest players, whose age is 7-8 years, fit the ball 3 numbers. And on the contrary, 14-15 summer teenagers best to buy the ball of the fifth number;

How much is a soccer ball?

1. Inexpensive training class soccer balls cost about 1000-1500 rubles;

2. Polyurethane training balls have a higher price, about 2-4 thousand rubles;

3. High-quality match models from renowned manufacturers - even more expensive. The cost of such models starts at around 4-4.5 thousand and ends with 7-8 thousand rubles;

4. The most expensive are professional balls. Their price can reach 15-20 thousand for a high-quality brand item.

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

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Attention! This material is the subjective opinion of the authors of the project and is not a guide to purchase.