Soccer Ball Basics
The soccer ball is a familiar sight in the world of sports with its 32 black and white colored pentagon and hexagon patterns encompassing its spherical shape. Known as a football in other parts of the world, the game of soccer is an international sport with a huge following. This huge world presence has prompted many sports manufacturers to create other models of the soccer ball that have strayed away from the recognizable black and white pattern.
Besides the aesthetic looks of the soccer ball, did you know that there are also specific guidelines for the balls to be used in game play? The basic rules about the soccer ball around the world states that it must be a spherical shaped filled with air and have a circumference of no more than 27-28 inches. The weight of the soccer ball should be in the area of 14-16 ounces with an inflated air pressure of anywhere from 8.5 psi to 15.6 psi.
Soccer Balls – Professional Match Balls
A soccer ball classified as this type is typically approved by the Federation Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) which serves as an international clearinghouse for soccer. A professional match ball is usually made with the best materials and to certain exacting standards which serve to enhance the abilities of the soccer players. These balls can be used on various types of soccer turf surfaces and designed for the best performance, speed, accuracy and control.
Soccer Balls – Match Balls
Many soccer matches, especially those played at high school and college levels, use this type of soccer ball. It is a high performance piece of equipment and well suited for different aged players as well as for a number of soccer playing surfaces. They are well made with an eye on reliability, performance and accuracy. These match balls are usually approved by some official governing soccer organization like FIFA.
Soccer Balls – Practice Or Training Balls
Some schools and leisure leagues do not have the luxury of a nice soccer field to play on so they may have to make due with mud, concrete or some other surface. A soccer ball, especially for practice, should be tough and able to withstand the abuse that a variety of surfaces will provide. Practice balls are tough, often made with a durable PVC material and the panels are often molded instead of stitched together. Of course, this is the cheapest ball around and best suited just for training and practice purposes.
While not common, there is the indoor soccer ball which conforms to the size regulations but is covered in a felt type material which is more suited to an indoor soccer field. There are quite a few versions of the soccer ball besides the black and white style we all recognize and have likely kicked around a few times.
By Sports Editor
