Buying and Choosing a Soccer Ball

Whether your child is playing soccer in school or you’re looking for some weekend pick-up games to stay in shape, you’re going to be needing at least one soccer ball, and maybe more. Soccer balls come in a variety of brands, and vary in size, make and quality, from laminated, machine-made balls to hand-stitched ones.

If you’re just starting out in soccer, you probably won’t want to overspend on a soccer ball, but it’s also important to have one that makes the most of your play. If you’re purchasing a soccer ball for yourself,
you will want the size 5 soccer ball, which is the official size for players over the age of 12. If you’re buying a ball for your child, buy a size 4 for children aged 8-12, and a size 3 for children under 8 years of age.

Other considerations for child soccer players include the hardness of the ball and its cost. Buy a soft soccer ball for kids: chances are, it will be bounced off their faces as often as their knees! Test for softness by mashing the ball with your thumbs, and let the young player try it out. You can buy soft soccer balls made of PVC that are specifically made for young people’s soccer, but that come in all sizes. In regions with hot weather,you may choose a harder ball, because the heat will soften it somewhat.

The cost of the ball is another factor in its purchase: soccer balls get kicked onto roofs, go home with the wrong kids, or disappear into parental car trunks, never to be seen again. Plan on spending around $20 for a kids’ soccer ball, and expect to replace it a few times a year. Also plan to buy a hand pump for keeping your soccer balls properly inflated.

More advanced players prefer a harder soccer ball: your older teenager may need a different type of soccer ball. Additionally, school teams or community soccer may have specific requirements as to size and softness of the soccer ball.

The best soccer balls are stitched by hand, (not laminated or glued) and have latex air bladders inside rather than the cheaper butyl bladders. The FIFA inspection or approval seal is placed on the better soccer balls. If you have several types of soccer ball to choose from, you may want to ask a soccer coach or someone who has been playing awhile.