Football is played by both professionals and amateurs. This sport is one of the most popular in the world. Millions of people of different ages and social status give him preference. But a good game is impossible without a good ball. It is the ball, and not only the athlete, that affects the accuracy of the strike, and that’s what the player’s main goal is. In today's article we have tried to give the most detailed and important information about the types and sizes of footballs, what they are made of, how they are arranged. Tips from our sports experts will come in handy when choosing a football ball.
Content:
The best manufacturers of soccer balls - which company to choose
In the domestic market there is a large selection of footballs from a variety of manufacturers, including Russian. Of course, products from world famous brands deserve more respect and trust from consumers. Such firms often produce goods for major sporting events. All their products are certified, meets all standards and tested by numerous tests. Let for the price these footballs be more expensive, but their quality characteristics and durability are many times greater than what budget models have.
For readers who do not have the opportunity to delve into the material, we suggest viewing the list of the most sought-after brands:
1. Select
2. Adidas
3. Puma
4. Nike
5. Joma
All listed companies are engaged in the release of footballs for different categories. Their product lines are quite extensive, so everyone can choose for themselves the appropriate option. Anyone who is looking for specific models, we recommend that you read our rating of the best footballs.
The principle of operation and the device of a football
The ball, which play football, called football. This ball must be made in such a way as to meet the specially established game rules. It usually consists of three elements: tires, cameras and linings. The camera in modern models is made of synthetic materials, and not of leather, as it was originally.
Usually the outer layer is a cellular structure. It consists of thirty-two panels, twenty of which have the shape of a hexagon, and twelve others are of a pentagon. These panels are connected either by thread or by glue. Important game properties depend on the connection method.
The design of a soccer ball, which we have already got used to seeing, was proposed in the fifties by one of the famous manufacturers, the company Select. It was then that they first realized the stylistic solution with black and white flowers, which had already become an integral part of the football ball. Different companies in the range there are many different models, where the number of panels varies, and hence the seams. The smaller the ball, the more round it has, the more it is moisture resistant.
Types of soccer balls
Professional
Professional footballs are used for high level team games. The designs of such balls are developed very carefully, even with the involvement of professional football players. It is necessary that the finally adopted option be able to maximize the skill of the athletes.
These balls are among the most expensive, as for their manufacture using the highest quality materials.The production technology passes with the obligatory observance of the selected design and test characteristics. Rebound, shape, trajectory, balance, speed, moisture absorption must meet all necessary standards.
Advantages:
- careful development
- quality materials
- exclusive design,
- balance the most important characteristics.
Disadvantages:
- high price,
- suitable only for professional games.
Match
Match balls, as the name implies, are produced specifically for football games on any type of field. The price category of such balls is slightly lower than that of professional ones, but higher than that of training ones. Match models are made in full accordance with accepted at the official level values of size, shape, weight and other things. Such balls must meet all the requirements for different levels of games, suitable for almost all age groups.
Advantages:
- made of high quality materials
- meet FIFA standards
- can be used on all grass surfaces (artificial and natural),
- suitable for many age groups.
Disadvantages:
- rather big price
- not suitable for amateur football.
Training
The cost is much lower than that of professional and match balls. Training models are made of cheaper and lower-quality materials, most often it is polyvinyl chloride. Panels are usually interconnected by thermal processing. A special feature of the training balls is the ability to withstand a lot of punches. It is convenient to play the ball even on very hard surfaces.
Advantages:
- acceptable cost
- suitable for all types of surfaces
- used by amateur players of different levels of training and age groups.
Disadvantages:
- if cheap material is used, then low wear resistance.
For indoor areas
Balls for indoor areas resemble futsal. Their difference from the classic football is that they have a low rebound. Balls can also have a tire with a nap resembling a nap. Size of models from 3.6 to 4. Suitable for use when playing mini-soccer.
Advantages:
- average price,
- good quality materials
- high strength and wear resistance.
Disadvantages:
- suitable only for indoor areas.
For beach soccer
Beach soccer balls are designed to be used on a sandy surface.
Models made of much softer materials. This is important for the player to feel comfortable during the contact of his bare foot with the ball. Most often they are made in such a way that either not to let the moisture pass at all or to minimize its passage as much as possible.
Advantages:
- inexpensive,
- made of durable and soft polyurethane,
- comfortable in the game barefoot.
Disadvantages:
- Suitable exclusively for beach games.
Options for the selection of soccer balls
The size
There are several sizes that are mainly needed for dividing footballs by age groups:
1. For children up to eight years old, there is a third size, where the weight ranges from 310 to 340 grams, and the circumference is from 57 to 60 cm.
2. The fourth size is calculated on young men up to twelve years. Here the weight of the ball is from 340 to 368 grams, and the circumference is from 62 to 65 cm.
3. The largest is the fifth size. It, accordingly, will suit all who are older than twelve. Its weight is about 396-453 g., And the circumference is 67-70 cm.
Stitching method
There are three ways of stitching footballs:
1. Machine
Machine stitching is of lower quality, since there are loose loops, which breaks the fit of the camera, which means that the elasticity of the ball decreases. With this stitching, nylon threads are used, and the seams are always visible. The service life of such products is small, because the seams are often damaged and spread.
2. Manual
Hand stitching is much more durable, but it affects the price. With it, the balls last longer, because all the corners are additionally fixed with knots. If a gap occurs suddenly, the seam does not spread, as it is limited to these nodules.The only thing you need to take into account, using such balls, recommendations for pumping up, so as not to siphon the product.
3. Glueing
Gluing is not very popular in production. Usually it is used in budget models.
Camera
The camera is necessary for the ball to maintain a constant level of air pressure. It is usually made from butyl or latex. The first option is harder, it’s harder to calculate the trajectory of the ball, but butyl holds the skin better. Latex also increases the stability of the trajectory, but products often need to be pumped. Engineers have come up with an alternative version of the camera, which is made of latex with a special valve of butyl.
Tire material
Initially, in footballs, the tire was made of genuine leather. Now it is completely replaced by polyurethane and polyvinyl chloride. The first option is considered a better material for the balls, as it is very similar to the skin, has durability and high strength. The second option is most often used for cheap balls, for example, for training models or those that are designed for indoor games. Glossy coating on the balls serves as a barrier to moisture.
Lining material
The lining is located between the tire and the camera. It provides the correct shape, the necessary weight and elasticity, usually made of artificial fabric or foam. There is another option nonwoven fabric impregnated with a special polyurethane resin. Such a lining improves the water repellency of the ball and its elasticity.
Which football to choose
1. When choosing a ball for football, first of all, you should consider where they will play. Professional and match perfectly manifest themselves on any turf. For indoor spaces with hard surfaces, special models should be purchased, as well as for beach soccer.
2. The next important criterion will be the age of the player or team. If the ball is intended for children up to eight years old, then it is necessary to acquire the third size, for the older group, up to twelve - the fourth, and for the most adults - the fifth.
3. Models with a manual stitching method will last a very long time, but with a machine will cost less.
4. It is better to choose a mixed chamber made of latex with a butyl valve.
5. The material of the tire is unequivocally polyurethane, and the lining is a non-woven fabric impregnated with polyurethane resin. Such a ball will be durable, it will last a very long time, while retaining all the original characteristics, on which the quality of the blows often depends, and hence the whole game.
How much is a soccer ball
1. Inexpensive version of a soccer ball will cost from 800 to 1,500 thousand rubles. For such a price, you can buy a ball for beach football, indoor training or a training option.
2. A bit more expensive, from 2 to 4 thousand rubles, are models of training balls made of polyurethane.
3. Match balls sold for about 4 - 7 thousand rubles. They are distinguished by high strength, interesting design, and thorough development.
4. Professional footballs are among the most expensive. For them, you will have to pay an average of 5 to 10 thousand rubles, or even more. They should be purchased only by high-level players; we do not recommend overpaying to amateurs
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