
Equipment: Choosing the Right Soccer Ball for School Teams and Physical Education Classes
It's time to re-stock your school's supply of soccer balls. But which balls should you choose? Here's a brief guide.
BALL SIZE
There are three standard sizes:
Size 3
- The smallest balls - used for players under eight years of age.
- Usually 23 -24 inches in circumference, with a weight of about 12 ounces
Size 4
- Used for 8 - 12 year olds
- Usually 25-26 inches with a weight of 12-13 ounces
Size 5
- International standard ball for 13 and older players.
- Usually 27-28 inches in circumference with a weight of 14 -16 ounces
BALL CONSTRUCTION
1. Material
• Synthetic balls are the best quality, offering superior feel and softness but are less durability and water resistance. They are a lot more expensive.
• Polyurethane balls have the feel of the synthetic or leather balls and the durability of plastic balls. They often have a glossy, protective coating.
• The cheapest balls are the PVC or plastic balls. They are more durable and water resistant but do not feel as soft as polyurethane balls. They also tend to have a glossy coating for protection.
2. Stitching
The best quality balls are stitched with a polyester thread. The higher-end balls are actually hand-stitched while mid-priced balls are machine-stitched. Lower-end balls generally have glued panels.
3. Panels
Fewer panels provide less stability when the ball is in the air, but mean it can be curved more.
Thirty-two panel balls are most common and are most commonly used in professional matches. Eighteen and 27-panels are also common and are used in some professional leagues.
INTERESTING NOTE
Until 1996, most soccer balls were being produced by little kids in sweat shops in Pakistan.
Contributor: Michelle Gaus is a physical educator at Belle River District High School, in Belle River, Ontario.
Reference: "How to Buy a Soccer Ball." Dick's Sporting Goods.com, 2008. http://www.dickssportinggoods.com
To download the pdf version of this
article, click here:
Download Now
© 2008, Physical Education Update, www.peUpdate.com