All About Soccer Balls

World’s 80% of the footballs are made in Pakistan. The standard soccer ball is made of synthetic leather, usually polyurethane or polyvinyl chloride, stitched around an inflated rubber or rubber-like bladder. Older balls were made of genuine leather and held shut with cotton laces. Modern balls have a valve. The synthetic leather panels are backed with cloth, usually polyester or a poly-cotton blend. The backing is held on with a latex adhesive.

Following are the two main elements of the soccer ball:

1. Inner Bladder
2. Outer Panels’ covering

The football manufacturing takes place in the following major steps:

There are many variations of synthetic leather used in the construction of soccer balls. They range from AI-2000, Japanese Teijin Cordley, Microfiber, English Porvair, Korean Ducksung, Leather Art Pakistan Synthetic Leather, and PVC (poly vinyl chloride). Best soccer balls used in competition and by professionals are produced by using AI-2000, Cordley, Ducksung, Microfiber or other types of PU synthetic leather. Promotional soccer balls or practice balls are usually constructed with Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) or rubber (molded or stitched) covers. However, some indoor soccer ball covers are made with a felt material similar to what is used on a tennis ball.

Material thickness plays a vital part in the quality of hand-sewn soccer balls. Multiple layers of lining are placed between the cover and the bladder. These layers are composed of polyester and/or cotton bonded (laminated) together to give the ball strength, structure and bounce. Professional soccer balls usually have four or more layers of lining. Promotional or practice balls are often constructed with less layers of lining. The lining helps the ball retain its shape and bounce over the life of the ball. Many soccer balls include a foam layer for added cushioning and ball control.

The bladder in a soccer ball holds the air. Bladders are usually made from latex or butyl. Compared to latex bladders, butyl bladders retain air for longer periods of time. Latex bladders tend to provide better surface tension. However; butyl bladders offer the excellent combination of contact quality and air retention. Futsal ball bladders are filled with foam to limit the bouncing capability of the ball since they are used on a hard flooring.

Most balls use butyl valves for air retention, with higher end balls using a silicone-treated valve for superior performance. Silicone treated valves are used on some balls for smooth insertion of the inflating needle and added protection from air loss. When you first receive a ball, a good idea is to put a few drops of silicon oil in the valve. This will provide easier needle insertion and better air retention.

Natural Latex Rubber bladders offer the softest feel and response, but do not provide the best air retention. Micro pores slowly let air escape. Balls with natural rubber bladders need to be re-inflated (at least once a week) more often than balls with butyl bladders (stay properly inflated for weeks at a time). Some balls use carbon-latex bladders in which the carbon powder helps to close many of the micro pores. Latex bladders are used in balls because of the following characteristics:

1. It gives proper bounce.
2. It feels softer.
3. Same angle re-bounce.

Sheets of synthetic leather are backed with several layers of different cloth, to strengthen the material.  The sheets are fed through a press that applies a latex adhesive and attaches the cloth. Material for a cheaper ball will receive a two-layer backing. A sturdier, more expensive ball will have four layers of cloth attached.

After the adhesive is fully dried, the sheets of synthetic leather are passed to a die-cutting machine. Workers load the cloth into the die cutter, which cuts the hexagonal panels and also punches the stitch holes.

Some of the cut panels are next taken to a screening area. Workers silkscreen the panels individually, imprinting them with the manufacturer's logo. This is done with a especially fast-drying paint.

Now the balls are ready to be assembled. The panels and the bladder are packed in a kit for stitching. The stitching professional uses a pattern to guide him or her in assembling the panels in the proper order. Most of the balls are hand sewn for the panels’ stitching together after insertion of bladder before final panel stitching.

The balls can be Hand sewn, Machine Sewn, Hybrid or Thermally Bonded w.r.t outer panels joining. However, hand sewn are most liked and durable.

The soccer ball is inspected at many points in its assembly. The bladders are checked as they are removed from the molds. The covering material is checked after it is lined with the backing material. Another important quality checkpoint is the silkscreen printing. The printed panels are visually inspected, and any faulty ones removed. After the ball is stitched together, an inspector looks it over carefully to see that no stitches have been missed. The bladder is inflated and the ball weighed and measured before the ball is passed on to the shipping area.

The ball is spherical, and for standard play must be no bigger than 28 in (71.12 cm) around, and no smaller than 27 in (68.6 cm). Its weight is specified at no less than 14 oz. (0.392 kg) and no more than 16 oz. (0.448 kg), filled to a pressure of 15 lb. per sq. in (6.8 kg per sq. cm).

The correct way to measure the circumference of a soccer ball:
1.) Inflate the ball to proper pressure.
2.) Place the ball in the corner of a 90° angle. Example, place ball on a table top that butts up against a 90° wall, making sure the ball is touching both the table top and the wall. A large panel of the ball should be touching the wall and also facing away from the wall towards you.
3.) Then place a square up against a large panel of the ball, which is 180° degrees from the large panel of the ball which is touching the wall, as if you are using the square to hold the ball in place, against the wall. But do not apply any pressure against the ball, with the square, only very slight pressure, enough to hold the ball in place, without indenting the ball panel.
4.) Then mark a spot on the table top, where the front of the square is touching both the ball and table. The distance from the wall to this mark is the diameter of the ball.
5.) Now measure that distance with a CM rule, and then multiply that measurement times 3.14, and the result will be the circumference of the ball, in CM.
6.) Use a fine grade of rule, as a cheap rule with thick lines will give you poor readings. And do not use a tailor's tape.

There are many types of soccer balls, footballs or futbols. Soccer balls can be categorized by the following types:

• Beach Balls
• Street Balls
• Mini Balls
• Indoor (hard surface) Balls
• Futsal Balls
• Promotional Balls
• Training Balls
• Match Balls

Developed for play on the beach or like surfaces. It is softer with less water uptake. Beach balls are generally more graphically appealing and the 2 biggest differences between a normal outdoor ball and a beach ball is that the materials used in beach balls are softer for play with bare feet and are more resistant to water uptake. Available in size 5.

Developed for play on hard rough surfaces like the street. Sometimes referred to as a freestyle ball. These are produced with materials that promote grip and are very durable to withstand play on rough surfaces.

Proper street balls are made from durable materials to withstand the demands of playing on gravel or concrete. They materials are often designed to help the “street artist” maintain close control of the ball. Many suppliers claim to produce actual street balls but they are usually no more than normal soccer balls. Available in size 5 only.

Mini Soccer Balls are developed for fun and available in 2 sizes. Size #1 and size #2. A mini is really a size #1 and a size #2 is normally called a “Juggler”. A size 1 mini ball is more often used as a novelty or for promotional giveaways. A size #2 Juggler is really a proper juggling ball and can be used to better mimic proper training for kids.

Developed for Indoor hard surfaces like gymnasiums. Produced by using a special felt material like a tennis ball. Indoor balls are less used these days but are still available from a few suppliers. Made from felt, these balls are specifically designed for Indoor use on hard wood surfaces. Available in size 4 and 5 but mainly sold in size 5.

A more recognized form of indoor soccer today.  These are specially engineered for indoor and hard flat surfaces. Futsal balls are produced with bladders that have been filled to minimize bounce on hard surfaces.

Futsal is a format of five-a-side football that is played extensively throughout the world. The term ‘Futsal’ is an abbreviation of the Portuguese ‘futebol de salão’ or the Spanish ‘futbol sala’, both of which translated literally mean ‘indoor football’. It is played on a pitch approximately the size of a basketball or netball court with a ball which is smaller and heavier than the outdoor football and has a reduced bounce. The ball forces a player to use their skill rather than the ball’s bounce to propel it. As a small sided game, players are constantly placed in situations where they must receive or play whilst under pressure or in confined spaces. Available in junior & senior sizes.

Produced to meet a price point. Price is normally the overriding factor here. Value driven. Always customized to include corporate logos. Promotional balls are usually produced, just as the name implies” to promote a name brand, organization or event. Promo balls are used to create awareness of your business or corporation. Not recommended for match play. A value driven promotional ball. Available in sizes 3, 4 and 5.

Produced in a large variety of materials. Price oriented for youth, camp, practice and recreational play. The quality and price of a training ball increases for better skill levels and adults. Used by coaches for all age groups and all standards

Training balls are by far the most difficult category of soccer ball to define. Training balls are offered in a very large variety of qualities that range from lower priced balls for soccer camps, youth and recreational play right up to training balls for the top players in the game today. It is important to select the right quality for your level of play. A word of advice, price is not always the best way to determine quality. Available in sizes 3, 4 and 5.

Developed for top players. Approved for use at the highest levels of the game. Produced for pure performance to exacting specifications for the greatest accuracy, speed and control.

The best quality outdoor balls will meet and exceed all minimum technical specifications and standards for the absolute highest levels of match play. Match balls are the most expensive type of ball since they are produced from the best materials and adhere to strict design and testing parameters. Available in size 4 & 5 spending up your level of play.

A standard ball is spherical, and for standard play must be no bigger than 28 in (71.12 cm) around, and no smaller than 27 in (68.6 cm) for size 5. Its weight is specified at no less than 14 oz. (0.392 kg) and no more than 16 oz. (0.448 kg), filled to a pressure of 15 lb. per sq. in (6.8 kg per sq. cm).

Soccer balls come in the following official sizes:

• Size 5 Ages 12 and up
• Size 4 Ages 8 and 12 years
• Size 3 Under 8 years
• Size 2 and 1 Promotional soccer balls

The first step in purchasing a soccer ball is determining the proper size for your age group. Many soccer leagues have different size requirements, so be sure to check with your coach or organization to find out which is the proper size for the age group that the ball will be used with. Soccer balls for match use come in three different sizes which range from size 3 to size 5.

Size 3 balls are the smallest balls and are generally used for children under the age of 8. These balls are generally 23-24 inches in circumference and weigh between 11-12 ounces.

Size 4 balls are used for players between the ages of 8-12. Size 4 balls weigh between 12-13 ounces and have a circumference of 25-26 inches.

This is the international standard match ball for all ages 12 and older, including all adult play. The size 5 ball weighs between 14-16 ounces with a circumference of 27-28 inches.

ASI Soccer Company uses unique symbols to point our customers in the right direction. The symbols will remove much of the confusion around ball descriptions that make it difficult to understand quality versus price. Overall, we created this rating system to simplify the process of choosing a ball that is right for you.

+ Identifies a good quality ball for the category described.

++ Identifies a very good or better ball in the category described.

+++ Identifies the absolute best quality ball available in the category described.

More likely than not, prices mirror our category symbols with + usually being the least expensive product in the category and ++ being the next price up and so on. However, there are always special offers and prices positioned by some brands that offer outstanding value for the ranking assigned the ball.

BEACH ++  Beach balls are generally more graphically appealing and the 2 biggest differences between a normal outdoor ball and a beach ball is that the materials used in beach balls are softer for play with bare feet and are more resistant to water uptake. We only show a ++ designation in this category are there are not many balls actually designed for beach with these features above. Most brands just categorize a normal outdoor ball as beach in order to have an offering in that category. Available in size 5.

STREET ++ Street balls are normally made from durable materials to withstand the demands of playing on gravel or concrete. They materials are often designed to help the “street artist” maintain close control of the ball. Once again, as there are really not many balls actually designed for the category, we are showing only a ++ designation here. Available in size 5 only.

MINI + - A size 1 mini ball designed for light juggling. More often used as a novelty than for juggling.

MINI ++ normally called a “Juggler”, these balls are larger than traditional size 1 mini balls and are a fun training tool for kids.

INDOOR ++ Indoor balls are less used these days but are still available from some suppliers. Made from felt, these balls are specifically designed for Indoor use on hard wood surfaces. We only show a ++ designation here due to the low number of actual indoor balls offered. Available in size 4 and 5 but mainly sold in size 5.

PROMO + - A good quality promotional ball used to create awareness of your business or corporation. Not recommended for match play. A value driven ball. Available in sizes 3, 4 and 5.

PROMO ++ - A slightly better quality promotional ball also used to create awareness of your business or corporation. Not recommended for match play. A value driven ball. Available in sizes 3, 4 and 5.

FUTSAL + Good quality low bounce Futsal balls designed for indoor play generally budget oriented for beginners to the sport or for Training by older more experienced players. Available in sizes 3 (Junior) and 4 (Senior)

FUTSAL ++  Better quality low bounce balls which meet all Futsal minimum standards for Match play by younger players and are also a better alternative for Training by experienced adult players. In most cases available in sizes 3 (Junior) and 4 (Senior)

FUTSAL +++ the best quality low bounce balls that exceed Futsal minimum standards and are designed to perform for the highest levels of Futsal match play. Available in sizes 4 (senior) only.

TRAINING +  Good quality outdoor balls designed for Training that are generally budget oriented for youth players. Available in sizes 3, 4 and 5.

TRAINING ++ Better quality outdoor balls which meet all minimum technical specifications and standards for better youth and adult training. Available in sizes 3, 4 and 5.

TRAINING +++ the best quality outdoor balls which meet and exceed all minimum technical specifications and standards for adult training and youth match play. Generally available in sizes 4 and 5 only.

MATCH + - Good quality outdoor balls designed for match conditions. Your entry priced match ball for adults and more competitive youth players. Generally available in sizes 4 and 5 only.

MATCH ++ - Better quality outdoor balls which meet all minimum technical specifications and standards for match play for Adults and older youth players 14 years and up. Generally available in size 5 only.

MATCH +++ - The best quality outdoor balls which meet and exceed all minimum technical specifications and standards for the absolute highest levels of match play. Available in size 5 only.

Follow these simple dos and don’ts to make sure you’re treating your new soccer ball with the respect it deserves. Used properly and depending upon its quality, your soccer ball could last years. However, used improperly, it may not last a season. Don’t let the latter happen to you through neglect and abuse. Here are a few do’s and don’ts of soccer ball care that will help maximize the lifespan of your soccer balls.

After the first use or two, your ball will likely never look pristine again. However, keeping it clean and free of major filth will prolong the life and playability of the ball. Use a damp cloth to wipe down the surface and remove any excess dirt, residue or grime after every use and you’ll never have to resort to playing dirty. Do not use excessive water when cleaning as the ball may absorb some of the water.

For the ball to react the way it’s supposed in flight, it must be inflated to the proper pressure. That means neither over- or under-inflated. Please refer to the pressure printed on the valve stem. Use a pressure gauge and inflate or deflate accordingly. However, before inserting any needle into the ball, it is best to use some lubricant (mineral oil, valve oil or silicon spray work well) on the needle to avoid damaging the air valve. Saliva is not recommended as a lubricant

Not playing for a while? Deflate the ball. Use the same needle you use to inflate it (don’t forget the mineral oil) and just let the pressure off. You don’t have to squeeze the ball just let the air release naturally so the shell and bladder can rest when you aren’t using it.

Not playing for a while? Deflate the ball. Use the same needle you use to inflate it (don’t forget the mineral oil) and just let the pressure off. You don’t have to squeeze the ball just let the air release naturally so the shell and bladder can rest when you aren’t using it.

Standing on a ball – any ball – is not so smart. Don’t stand on your ball. Standing on a soccer ball will likely damage its structure to an extent that it warps into a permanently oblong configuration rendering it inadequate for play. Sitting on the ball can do the same thing, so no sitting on the ball during breaks, either.

If you have many balls to inflate, invest in a proper electric pump. It is IMPOSSIBLE to regulate air pressure with the air pressure machines at gas stations! The pressure damages ball almost 100% of the time by stretching the seams through over inflating the bladder. Just don’t do it.

Using a wall is a good way to practice quick touches and developing deft footwork that can set you apart on the pitch. However, one of the most common ways the players may damage their ball is kicking it forcefully against a wall over and over again, which warps its shape. Instead of using a wall, consider using a rebounder or find a teammate to knock the ball back and forth.