How to Buy a Soccer Ball

What's soccer without a ball? For home play, or if you're a parent and the league or team requires a child to bring one to practice, it's important to buy the right ball.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Credit Cards And Loans
• Soccer Apparel
• Soccer Cleats
• Soccer Shin Guards
• Soccer Videos
• soccer balls

1. Buy the correct size. Age 8 and under use size 3; ages 8 through 12 use size 4; ages 13 and up use size 5 (the official international-size soccer ball).

2. Get a softer ball for a younger player, particularly to practice heading. One type is a PVC plastic ball, geared specifically for youth soccer and made in all sizes.

3. Go for a harder ball for advanced players, who often prefer it for striking.

4. Pick up the ball and press into it with your thumb, testing for softness. Do this even if it is in a display box.

5. Judge balls on reputation. You can ask a coach or an experienced player.

6. Look for the words "FIFA Approved" or "FIFA Inspected" for higher-end balls.

7. Go for the reasonably priced. A 20-dollar stitched ball is sufficient, and is less of a loss if misplaced.

Tips & Warnings

• Buy from a sports specialty store with knowledgeable salespeople.
• Go to a store with a good selection. There should be several brands of balls, with several offerings in each brand.
• Check out the inner materials. The key to the feel of the ball is the bladder, or inner portion, which holds the air. Balls with butyl bladders tend to be less expensive and harder, while higher quality balls have latex bladders.
• Know the difference between stitched and laminated balls, which are glued together. Laminated balls tend to be harder. Most higher-quality balls are stitched, with the best balls stitched by hand.
• Put the ball on the ground and have the player test it if possible.
• Consider the weather. Balls are harder in the cold.
• Consider purchasing several balls for various purposes. Teams, for example, often have balls they use for practice, saving better-quality balls for competition.
• Invest in a small hand ball pump. You'll need it to keep balls inflated.

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[FairTradeSports]

on 7/10/2007 Consider who stitched the ball - in addition to quality, you can now vote your conscious by purchasing an eco-friendly soccer ball that is also certified Fair Trade (no child labor!). In the US, try www.fairtradesports.com.

on 8/8/2006 Choose a soccer ball that sounds solid when you thump on it.

on 7/20/2006 There is a reason why certain balls cost more. It's quality. If you want a good ball that will last a long time, as well as improve your game (as the better the ball, the more used to playing with match-approved feel), try Nike Total 90 Premier Team (which retails for $40) and The Adidas Club Pro or the MLS Club Pro (both also retail for $40).

on 3/24/2006 If you are looking for a good ball for a discounted price, you can usually find a discounted, international match, quality ball. Every year Adidas or Nike come out with newly styled match balls for league and international competitions making the previous year's match balls sell for a discount. For instance, now that the World Cup is approaching, retailers are selling the Euro 2004 official match balls for about half price. Purchasing one of these balls will get you a great ball at a great price. The same goes for any league premium match ball that was recently replaced. Most online retailers offer these deals.

on 12/19/2005 If you are looking for a quality, hand-stitched ball, that also looks great when flying through the air, I would suggest buying the reasonably priced Diadora Astro.
This ball comes in a variety of colors, and strays from the ordinary as it is hand stitched in triangle patterns rather than the normal pentagon pattern. The ball ranges from $20-$30 and can be found at a quality retailer, such as Eurosport.