What does souvenir ball mean. How to choose a soccer ball - expert advice

Now football is considered the most popular view sports on our planet. This game simply could not exist and develop so successfully if a soccer ball had not been invented at one time. As history shows, anything could play its role, as long as it was possible to break through it. Used even pork bladder, which later began to be placed in a leather sheath. Fortunately, in 1862 the first rubber tube was invented, after which the mass production of round balls, which were inflated with a pump, began. Since 1937, the projectile has a clearly limited weight, ranging from 410 to 450 grams.

Many of us like to spend our free time playing football with our friends. Therefore, balls for practicing this sport are very popular, which leads to the release of numerous fakes that attract buyers with bright colors, but are very impractical and break quickly. Let's try to figure out how to choose a quality soccer ball.

The first important parameter is the country of issue. Despite the fact that the British are considered the founders of football, balls are predominantly produced in India and Pakistan. However, this does not mean that they are bad. The fact is that, according to statistics, about 80 percent of high-quality football shells are produced here. All this suggests the idea that there is no need to pay extra money just for the fact that the goods are supposedly made in England, Italy or Germany. At the same time, I would like to focus on the fact that the same football ones are produced exclusively in Asia and nowhere else.

The next nuance is the size. No matter how beautifully the seller recommends this or that product, it should be remembered that for different age categories there are different gradations of grams and centimeters. In particular, the smallest weight and circumference has a soccer ball of the third size. It is intended for those children who are not yet eight years old. "Four" is designed for young football players aged 8 to 12 years. Well, for those who are older, you should opt for number 5. Note that a corresponding designation is applied to each soccer ball.

Next, you need to find out what the accessory is made of. Now there is a stereotype that the ball should be leather. This is wrong, because the skin becomes heavier under the influence of moisture. Therefore, polyurethane or polyvinyl chloride is used in the form of sheathing. The first one is more expensive and better quality. The main thing is to have more of its layers. Ask what the camera is made of. If it is butyl, the air will hold much longer. However, if the material for it is natural latex, it will be much more pleasant and softer to beat. That's why better time pump up your game equipment from time to time and get much more pleasure.

The last important aspect is the drawing. The best soccer balls receive a pattern on the tire before the stitching process. The presence of paint at the joints of the seams indicates its appearance at the very end and the low quality of the product. It is quite natural that when choosing, you need to focus on FIFA recommendations. The FIFA Inspected mark confirms that the ball is suitable for different types of fields, of course, with the exception of asphalt ones. The professional versions are marked FIFA Approved, but they are very expensive.

It is basically impossible to play football without a soccer ball. There are so many balls out there, and with so many to choose from, choosing the right ball for you can be tricky. This guide will help you.

Types of soccer balls

It is important to understand that there are two main types soccer balls - soccer balls And futsal balls. The main difference is that mini-soccer (futsal) balls have a low bounce, as they are used on playgrounds with limited space. Soccer balls have a standard bounce. In soccer and futsal balls, there are different types balls: training, professional (such balls are certified by FIFA or IMS), lightweight for children. Soccer balls are also available for hard surfaces, for beach soccer, souvenir mini-balls, as well as balls with club symbols.

Training balls

These are the most popular and common balls in sports schools and sections. They are distinguished by low cost (from 600 to 3000 rubles) and serve as “consumables” for any team or school.

Popular Models:

You can find all training balls from our range.

Professional balls

These balls are used in tournaments high level- World Championship, Olympics, championships of different countries of the world and so on. Professional balls always have a FIFA certificate, which confirms that this ball model has passed all the necessary tests (information about what each certificate means can be found below). The price of professional balls of different brands can vary from 2000 to 8000 rubles.

The main difference between professional balls and training balls lies in their workmanship and the quality of the gameplay. A FIFA-certified professional ball always flies the way the player intended and stays on track.

As a rule, professional balls from Nike, Adidas and Select are available in two contrasting colors - white for summer season, and orange-yellow for better visibility during winter season(the so-called "winter soccer balls").

Popular Models:

Select Brilliant Super FIFA

Select Futsal Super FIFA

Miter Delta FIFA

All professional balls you can find.

Children's (lightweight) balls

For younger players, special lightweight balls are offered. In the production of these balls, special materials of the chamber and tires are used, which make the ball much lighter than standard balls of the same size. Because of this, children's lightweight balls have a number of features - 1) these balls release pressure inside the chamber faster, that is, such balls need to be pumped up more often before playing, 2) the tire of these balls can wear out faster than standard balls.

Lightweight balls are most often used in children's sections and children's sports schools, since these balls the best way contribute to the improvement of the technique of young football players without the risk of causing unnecessary foot injury.

The price of these balls is comparable to training balls from 950 to 2800 rubles.

Popular Models:

Nike Lightweight

Adidas J290 and J350

You can find all children's lightweight balls.

Hard court balls

Special models of balls made for playing on hard artificial surfaces- low artificial grass, carpet, box/asphalt). As a rule, these balls use a more wear-resistant tire material.

Popular Models:

Beach soccer balls

Beach soccer balls are covered with soft material for comfortable playing with bare feet. Also, such balls are usually additionally treated with a water-repellent substance.

Popular Models:

All models of beach soccer balls can be found.

Souvenir balls and balls with club symbols

These balls are mainly produced in the 1st size and are not used for playing, but only as a gift. The price of such balls ranges from 450 to 990 rubles.

Popular Models:

All souvenir balls you can find.

Special balls

The type of special soccer balls includes balls for training the reaction of goalkeepers and players. As a rule, such balls can have a non-standard shape (triangular instead of spherical), a shifted center of gravity or increased weight. In addition, there are balls for visually impaired athletes (the so-called "balls with sound").

All special balls you can find.

Ball panel stitching types and their design

These days, ball designs can be 6, 8, 10, 16, or 32 panels, and the design of the ball does not create significant differences when played. For example, Select always uses the classic 32-panel construction, while Nike and Adidas have successfully used 6, 8 and 32-panel designs.

It is much more important to understand the method of stitching these panels:

-mechanical stitching. The panels of the ball are fastened mechanically at the factory. This method of crosslinking is the most unreliable, but the cheapest. Hence the increased percentage of defects in balls with this stitching. This stitching method is usually used only in cheap training and souvenir balls.

-Hand stitching. This type of stitching is the most common and is characterized by high reliability and wear resistance. All top futsal balls are usually made with hand-stitched panels so that the balls can carry high loads. Soccer balls are also made with hand-stitched panels, but this can increase moisture build-up when played in wet weather.

-Thermal bonding. This technology has appeared relatively recently. At this method the ball panel seams are “glued” to the ball chamber at high temperature. Such balls are perfectly spherical and do not gain moisture. Ideal for big football. All of Nike's, Adidas' and Select's top professional balls are now produced with heat-sealed panels.

Tire and ball chamber

The chamber is the heart of the ball. It is she who is filled with air when inflated and holds pressure during the game. Chambers are often made of butyl or latex. In top balls, the chambers are made of natural latex. Latex feels better, but it retains air worse than butyl, so balls with latex bladders need to be inflated more often.

Three types of materials are mainly used for tires: PVC (polyvinyl chloride), TPU (thermopolyurethane) and PU (polyurethane). There are also balls made of genuine leather or pure rubber, but this is an exception to the rule.

Polyvinyl chloride is cheaper and sometimes more durable than polyurethane. Often it is used in balls for training, futsal and street football. Polyurethane is the material for more expensive and professional balls. Polyurethane balls are softer and more responsive to impacts. TPU is used, as a rule, in budget balls.

soccer ball care

The recommended pressure is usually marked on the ball next to the valve. Wrong inflated ball can have a bad effect on the game and will wear out faster. It is recommended to straighten the ball chamber during initial inflation to avoid inadvertent damage to the nipple or the shape of the ball chamber. After the initial inflation, it is recommended to leave the ball for a few hours to straighten out any wrinkles. The ball must be cleaned of dirt and moisture after each game. It is not recommended to dry the ball in direct sunlight or on the battery - this can lead to damage to the ball at the junction of the panels. It is also not recommended to store the ball at too high or low temperatures, sit on it or put something heavy on top.

Soccer ball sizes

Standard soccer balls are produced 5 sizes, circumference 68-70 cm, weight 410-450 gr. Non-certified balls may have different specifications. Such balls are considered traditional, and are used everywhere by adults and children.

Juniors up to 12-14 years old usually play with balls 4 sizes, circumference 63-66cm, weight 350-390 gr. In addition, all futsal balls (futsal balls) are available in 4 sizes.

And for the smallest football players up to 8 years old, balls are suitable Size 3 .

The size of souvenir mini-balls is 1 size.

Football is the most popular sport in the world. The first thing that attracts people to this game is the almost complete lack of inventory. In any place where there is a small flat area, you can set up a gate, marking it with any suitable objects - and you can start the game. But, of course, in the event that there is such a necessary attribute of the game as a ball. Therefore, it is necessary to know how to choose a soccer ball that is most suitable for given specific conditions.

An indispensable attribute of the game is a soccer ball and its dimensions

What is the shell made of

Many people believe that a real ball should be leather. Of course, leather is a noble material and looks great, but it is not suitable for a soccer ball, since the property of leather to absorb moisture negatively affects the playing qualities of this accessory: it becomes heavier when absorbing liquid.

Thus, it is useful for fans of the game to know how to choose a good soccer ball, what it should be made of, which material to prefer.

The video is about how soccer balls are made and how to choose them correctly

To answer these questions, you should have at least minimal knowledge of what exactly balls are made of for the game. Strength and cost are directly proportional to the quality of the material from which the outer layer is made - the shell. The most popular materials are:

1. Polyvinyl chloride (PVC).
2. Polyurethane (PU).

PVC is a synthetic material that resembles plastic. The cost of a ball with such a coating is low, respectively, and its quality is quite low. In cold weather, it is difficult to control such a ball.

As for polyurethane, it looks like natural leather. The material is strong, and such a coating will last a long time.

Polyurethane is the most suitable material

A little about the camera and lining

When choosing, you need to Special attention camera. The shape of the ball and its handling fully depends on it. As a basis for the camera, latex or butyl is used.

Natural latex - the material is quite soft, but has a drawback: it does not hold air well and often requires pumping.

Note. However, the ball with such a camera perfectly preserves the given flight path, so professional football players prefer it.

Butyl bladders, on the other hand, have excellent air retention, but are less sensitive than latex bladders. For reliable air retention, the ball valve with a latex chamber is made of butyl.

To give the ball sphericity, elasticity and lightness, a gasket made of various materials is used, which is placed between the outer shell and the chamber. This lining is made from:

• foam;
• fabrics;
• nonwoven fabric.

Foam and fabric make the ball softer, but they absorb moisture and hold it for a long time. Therefore, in order to decide on the question of how to choose good ball for football, it should be borne in mind that most manufacturers have abandoned cheap materials in favor of non-woven designs. Cotton fibers arranged in a spiral shape are treated with polyurethane resin. A ball with such a lining becomes moisture resistant, sufficiently elastic, and reliably holds its shape.

Lightweight and durable, the bladder is one of the most important parts of the ball

Choose a soccer ball for a child

When choosing a ball for children, the main question is how to choose a soccer ball for playing on the street. It is clear that children can choose any playground for playing, while it is not always grassy. And this means that a ball designed for playing on grass and having the appropriate marking will fail very quickly if played on sandy ground or asphalt. The most suitable option for such cases is a polyurethane ball.

Note. A professional ball can be used in any weather and on any surface. However, such a purchase will not come cheap.

Soccer balls are also different in size and weight. The balls are lighter for children than for adults.. Children do better with them.

Important! For small football players under 8 years old, a ball weighing from 311 to 340 g and a circumference of 57-60 centimeters can fit. And how to choose the right soccer ball for a child of 12 years old? FIFA advises for children over 12 years of age the standard size of the ball No. 5 with a weight of 396 to 453 g with a circumference of 67.5 to 70 centimeters.

Table: The ball for children is selected depending on their age

Thus, in order to decide how to choose a soccer ball, you need to be guided by the following: it is better to buy this soccer accessory from a material such as polyurethane, hand-stitched, with a latex camera, taking into account the weight, as well as the field on which the game will run.

Often, in order to make the right purchase, you need to spend a lot of time choosing and searching. People stopped making sudden decisions and began to be guided by expert opinion, and therefore we are in a hurry to help you.

In this article, we give tips on how to choose a soccer ball and what you need to pay special attention to.

What are soccer balls?

The first thing to know is that all balls are different. Some are cheap, look nice, but may be of poor quality; others, on the contrary, do not look presentable with high quality, it is also worth considering that each ball has its own individual purpose.

1. Match balls. They are much more massive than all the others and have the best grip on the surface.

2. Professional balls. Real athletes play football with them. Their peculiarity is that they are the most practical and suitable for playing in any weather.

3. Specialized balls. Used for working out techniques, may have a displaced center of gravity, be lighter or heavier than standard ones.

4. Training balls. As a rule, they have a laminated coating, are inexpensive and are highly wear resistant.

Outwardly, all four types are similar, only a specialist can tell the difference. Therefore, before making a purchase, you should decide on the purpose of the purchase.

How to choose a quality soccer ball?

Many athletes say that choosing shoes and clothes is easier than equipment, but we will try to simplify the task.

A high-quality soccer ball consists of three main elements - tire, lining, camera. Each element has its own characteristics, so you should look closely at each of them.

Tires. Modern products are different from their predecessors. Leather balls are considered an echo of the past - they quickly get wet, gaining weight, and do not withstand intense training. Polymer coatings have become alternative materials: polyurethane and polyvinyl chloride.

Lining. It should be tough, but not hard - it's very important point.

Camera. She may be one of the most different materials(latex, polyurethane, butyl). We recommend that you purchase products where the chamber is made of butyl, which is able to retain air for a longer time.

Stitching. Can be manual or machine. Most machine-stitched balls don't hold up well. Good soccer balls are sewn by hand.

How to choose a soccer ball

How to choose a soccer ball for a child?

When choosing a ball for a child, you can be guided by the tips above, but you need to consider a few details.

Site surface. A ball marked for grass will wear out very quickly if played on tarmac, sand or rubber. The best option would be a hand-stitched polyurethane ball designed for the site where the game is planned. It will last longer.

Size. For a child under 8 years old, ball No. 3 is suitable (weight no more than 340 grams), from 8 to 12 years old - No. 4 (weight from 369 to 425 grams), from 12 - No. 5 (from 425 to 450 grams)

If the ball is already selected, you may find the following tips helpful:

1. How to pump up a soccer ball? To do this, you will need a special pump. You can do this either with your own hands or at any sports store. In order not to spend money on the pump, you can simply ask for help. In many cases, they will help you absolutely free of charge and thus you can easily cope with the task.

How to pump up a soccer ball if there is no needle.

2. How to sew up a soccer ball? The second question is somewhat more complicated and will probably need to be addressed individually. Do not worry, because it is quite possible to sew up a soccer ball yourself. You will need a thick needle and strong thread. You need to sew it consistently and along the exact line. Since the product is round, it is most convenient to fix it between the legs. The editors of the site hope that when the work is done, you will be able to play football with your favorite ball with pleasure.

Among the variety presented on sports market balls is very difficult to find the one that is right for you. In this article, we will help you figure it out and put it on the shelves, what to look for when choosing a soccer ball.

Game level

• Amateur

If you just want to kick the ball on the weekend, you probably don't need the one that Cristiano Ronaldo plays. You are an amateur, and an amateur ball is the best choice for you. It is inexpensive, but durable enough to please you for a long time.

• Training

For actively training players and teams, the requirements for the ball are more stringent. The ball is used frequently, it must be strong, hold its shape well and be predictable in flight. Therefore, the choice for training is a training ball.

• Professional (match)

Professional athletes choose professional grade balls. As a rule, materials of the highest level are used in such balls and all the best technological developments are collected in them. The price of such a ball is high, but the requirements are the most stringent. A ball that has passed a number of special tests receives the appropriate IMS, FIFA Quality or FIFA Quality Pro certificate.

Football field coverage

Where do you plan to play football? Someone plays on the asphalt playground near the house or runs across the field in the village, teams train in stadiums with artificial or natural turf, do not forget about the cinder fields.

A self-respecting manufacturer will always write what type of coverage the ball is intended for. And it develops balls that are most suitable for the properties of the specified playing surface.

Type of panel connection

Soccer balls according to the type of panel connection are divided into sewn by machine stitching, hand stitching, thermal stitching (thermal soldering) or hybrid stitching. Let's talk more about each type.

• Machine stitching

The most economical type of ball production is machine stitching. The panels that make up the surface of the ball are sewn together using a special sewing machine. How to determine that you are holding a machine-stitched ball? Take a look at the ball. The stitches with which the panels are sewn are frequent, small, even. They are visible to the naked eye.

What is special about machine stitching? The machine stitches the panels with strong synthetic thread, but does not tie a knot at the end of the stitch. If the stitch breaks in one place, the panels of the ball will soon come apart as the stitching will crawl.

In general, this is a reliable type of panel connection. Such balls are great for people who do not have special requirements for the ball, mainly children and beginners in sports, as well as those for whom the price is primarily important.

• Hand stitching

This is a more expensive way of joining panels and requires a specially trained person. The stitches are uneven in length, with a wider pitch than in machine stitching, but they are almost invisible to the naked eye - the edges of the panels seem to be drawn into the ball. Manual stitching is the presence of numerous knots on the thread, i.e. even if the thread breaks in some place, the line will not crawl and the ball will be suitable for further play. The hand-stitched ball is a classic that football was born with and is still a very relevant type of panel connection to this day.

• Thermal stitching (thermal soldering)

Modern seamless adhesive method of joining panels at high temperatures. The ball produced by this technology is absolutely spherical. The seams become waterproof, the ball does not gain moisture and does not lose its properties in all weather conditions. It is used for balls of professional (match) level. Such balls are played at the highest level tournaments, ranging from domestic national championships to the World and European Football Championships.

• hybrid stitching

This type of panel connection combines machine stitching and thermal bonding technology for panels. Before stitching the panels, thermo-active glue is applied to the edges, its activation occurs at high temperature and only when the ball is placed in a special mold. The result is the most hidden, with the necessary strength and, which is not unimportant, moisture-proof seams.

What is the ball made of?

• Tire material and thickness

If earlier soccer balls were made of genuine leather, now it has been replaced by modern synthetic materials - polyvinyl chloride (PVC), thermopolyurethane (TPU), polyurethane (PU) and rubber.

PVC used in the manufacture of budget models. This is a strong practical material.

TPU- a relatively new material in the ball industry. The advantages include low price, softness and attractive appearance.

Polyurethane- material for more expensive models. It is lighter than PVC, more durable and less prone to damage from low temperatures.

Also, manufacturers are experimenting with other materials: you can see a ball with a rubber tire on sale. By the way, this is the most unpretentious material that has no restrictions on its use and withstands the most severe operating conditions.

The thickness of the tire is also indicated for a reason: the thicker it is, the better the aerodynamic properties of the ball, the panels at the stitching point are separated by deeper channels that cut through the air in flight. And, of course, such a tire will last you longer.

• Camera material

The camera is a special inner insert with a nipple. Inflated with air using a pump. There are butyl, latex and rubber chambers. Each has its own set of properties, the knowledge of which simplifies the choice of the ball.

rubber bladder used in ultra-budget balls. Often, manufacturers do not indicate in the description of the balls what material the chamber is used for, in such cases they install a rubber chamber. Be careful! In such balls there is not enough elasticity and they hold air very weakly.

Butyl chamber holds air well, the ball does not require frequent pumping. Great for any type of panel stitching. This camera material has a wide range of applications from amateur to professional level.

latex camera more commonly used in professional balls. It makes the ball more elastic and stabilizes the flight path. The surface of the latex bladder is porous, so the ball needs to be pumped more often.

• Lining layers

The lining layers are located with inside ball and stick to the tire. Their number and thickness vary depending on the model and manufacturer. They make the ball more durable, wear-resistant, help maintain its shape and parameters declared by the manufacturer.

Backing layers are made of foam, fabric or non-woven material, often reinforced with synthetic thread. Foam and fabric make the ball softer, but absorb moisture, which can further affect the weight of the ball and the predictability of the flight path. Non-woven material - fibers treated with polyurethane resin forms the "frame" of the ball, which does not absorb moisture and helps the ball to quickly return to its original shape.

Size, weight, circumference of the ball for different age categories

For each age of the player, standards for the size, circumference and weight of a soccer ball have been approved. These standards are approved by FIFA. Many unscrupulous manufacturers do not monitor the quality of their products and their compliance with standards, which can lead to negative consequences, for example, injuries to players. We urge you to be careful and choose the right balls.

*Size #4 is also for futsal balls. But the weight and circumference are different from the classic soccer ball.

In conclusion, I would like to summarize all of the above. Choose a ball for specific purposes and conditions for its use. Read the description of the ball and what it is made of. If there is no information, then this is an occasion to think well. Beware of fakes and do not save on health. A high-quality soccer ball is the key to a productive game.