Having trouble deciding which soccer ball to buy? Although there a long list of brands and models to pick from, here is a quick guide and some things to consider when shopping for a soccer ball. 

Game vs Training Use - The first consideration is, what will be you be using the soccer ball for? A game in the street or at a professional stadium? Practice at a youth club, or a championship match? Higher-quality balls are preferred for competitive soccer games. Training balls typically get more use and abuse; therefore, most soccer teams prefer to use a cheaper soccer ball for training. Also consider what type of surface you will be playing on, a nicely manicured soccer field or on a blacktop that will break the ball down quickly? Some brands make soccer balls specifically designed to be played on blacktop/concrete or turf fields. 

Size - Soccer balls come in sizes 1,3,4, and 5. Here is a breakdown of the size and appropriate age for each size:

Size 1 - For all ages, with an 18-inch circumference 

Size 3 - Ages 7 and under, with a 23-inch circumference

Size 4 - Ages 8-12, with a 25-inch circumference 

Size 5 - Ages 13 +, with a 27-inch circumference

Material and Design - Old school soccer balls come in leather, but most modern soccer balls are made with synthetic leather. The synthetic leathers used are usually Polyurethane (PU) or Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC), with the Polyurethan being the better quality of the two. 

The number of panels on the soccer ball also have a great effect on the flight of soccer ball. Some panels come smooth, while others are textured. Think of the texture of a golf ball. Soccer balls with a textured surface typically have a more controlled flight and grip, while a smooth surface soccer ball may be more unpredictable and provide less grip. A standard soccer ball comes with 32 panels, but many modern soccer balls come with less.

A good example of a unique and unpredictable soccer ball is the Adidas Jabulani, which was used in the 2010 World Cup. This ball was made with only 8 panels and had a textured surface. The Jabulani was notorious for making unpredictable movements in the air, similar to a knuckleball in baseball. The Jabulani received a lot of criticism and complaints. The Jabulani is a prime example of how the design of a soccer ball can directly affect the game and proves that not all soccer balls are the same. 

Bladder - Soccer balls typically have either a latex or Butyl bladder, with Butyl bladders providing better air retention. Latex bladders are known for having a softer touch and better bounce. 

Stitching - High-quality soccer balls come with hand stitched panels. Machine stitched soccer balls are usually considered standard. Some manufacturers use thermal bonding to hold the panels together, and others use a combination of stitching and bonding. Soccer balls that only have bonding holding the panels in place could be considered lower quality, as the glue may fail. 

Futsal balls - Futsal soccer balls are smaller, with the largest size usually being a size 4. Futsal balls may be heavier and provide less of a bounce. 

Ratings - FIFA currently rates soccer balls by rating them either FIFA Basic, FIFA Quality, or FIFA Quality Pro. Below is the rating explanation given by FIFA for each rating:

FIFA Basic - "The test requirements for this standard are designed to identify products that fulfil basic performance, accuracy, safety and durability criteria for football. The focus is on setting minimum standards while ensuring affordability for use at all levels of the game."

FIFA Quality - "The test requirements emphasize the durability and safety of these products, playing surfaces and technologies more than for the FIFA Basic standard. Basic performance and accuracy criteria are tested, but the main focus is on ensuring extensive use."

FIFA Quality Pro - "The emphasis of the test requirements is on first-class performance, accuracy and safety. Products, playing surfaces and technologies with this quality mark are designed for optimal performance and use at the highest level."

The FIFA Quality marks explained

So which ball is right for you? If you're looking for a high-quality soccer ball for competitive matches or a pro game, consider a hand-stitched ball with a FIFA Quality Pro rating. Looking for a soccer ball for training? Either a cheaper ball or a high-quality ball can be justified, if it fits in your budget.

Still need help deciding? Reach out to us at contact@premiersoccergoals.com or visit us our site!