Today we will talk about a rather banal topic. We will discuss the size of a soccer ball, or rather the FIFA standards that they impose on gaming areas when it is necessary to host some kind of official game. It is you who can kick in your yard and of any quality, but at a professional level this will not be allowed.
So, our goal for today is to figure out what criteria are used to evaluate modern soccer balls, what sizes they come in, and what certificates they are awarded.
Standards
Since the football rules are the same for everyone and they are followed in all countries of the world, it means that the size of the soccer ball must be fixed for each type of football. This unity of standards applies only to those matches that take place under the auspices of FIFA, but, as you understand, these are almost all serious competitions on our football planet.
Oddly enough, there are uniform standards for balls that all manufacturers must adhere to. For those not in the know, these standards were once developed by the Danes of Select Sport on a special order from FIFA.
Compliance with established standards is awarded with three special logos, but before learning about their purposes, you first need to figure out exactly how they are tested.
Ball tests
Today, all balls for official games are tested for 8 main parameters:
- Sphericity.
- Circle size.
- Moisture resistance.
- Rebound height.
- Pressure retention.
- Balance.
- Strength.
The table below shows more detailed numbers for each item for big football.
It's the same but for futsal.
How is testing going? Yes, it's very simple: a ball is taken, inflated with compressed air up to 0.8 bar and at an air temperature of approximately 20 degrees (relative humidity within 65%) is tested for 24 hours.
And here, in fact, is the table of ball sizes.
stigma
The presence of a “brand” from FIFA indicates that the size of the soccer ball, as well as its other parameters, are normal, that everything has been checked by adult serious guys who gave the go-ahead to use the sphere to play at the highest level.
Such logos are of the following types:
- FIFA Approved. Indicates FIFA approval. The highest quality standard. In addition to the above eight tests, to achieve this standard, the ball is additionally tested for strength by making 2000 impacts on a steel plate at a speed of 50 km/h. If the ball has retained its original characteristics after such a mockery, it receives the stigma of superior quality.
- FIFA Inspected. For this standard, it is enough to pass only 6 tests out of 8.
- IMS. An analogue of this standard is FIFA Inspected. The quality is the same, but cannot be used in official games. This is a note to those who want to buy a quality ball, but do not want to overpay for logos they do not need from the main football office.
The thing is that the certified companies that FIFA trust to test do this, of course, not for free. Suppose these experts found out the size of a soccer ball, and received their penny, which was already included in the cost of the ball. And the more expensive the testing, the more expensive the ball will eventually cost.
This is another hint that if you need a good ball for training and games not at the official level, it will be enough to choose a model with the IMS logo and you will be happy.
Soccer ball is also necessary for training sessions, and for match meetings at the professional and amateur level. For a spectacular and effective game of football, you need not just a round projectile - only sports equipment from branded manufacturers will allow both football players and fans to enjoy the game. The online store site has a rich selection of balls for professional players and for those who are just learning the basics of football. These are models for playing on artificial and synthetic turf, on the ground, on hard indoor surfaces. Equipment from Nike, Adidas, Puma, Select, Uhlsport will last more than one season in various weather conditions and with intense play.
When choosing and purchasing a soccer ball, pay attention to a number of criteria:
coverage - natural or artificial lawn, soil, gym;
size - children's football (3-4 size), futsal (4 size) and balls for big football (5 size);
Tire material - polyurethane, polyvinylchloride, genuine leather;
type of stitching - thermal stitching (the chamber frame and panels are glued in a special form at high temperatures), manual and machine stitching with nylon thread.
Professional soccer balls used in official competitions under the auspices of FIFA and UEFA receive special licenses based on the results of quality tests:
· FIFA Approved: tests for weight, circumference and sphericity, as well as for moisture absorption, rebound, pressure loss and spherical shape retention after 2000 impacts of a certain force;
· FIFA Inspected or IMS: same tests except for 2000 shots.
The models presented in the online store correspond to international standards and are designed for matches of the highest level.
Brands - manufacturers
The legendary footballs from Adidas should rightfully be put in the first place:
· professional models are certified by the famous football association;
models belong to the middle and high price category;
· Adidas professional soccer balls are used at all major world competitions;
most professional teams football leagues and national football teams use this equipment;
Manufacturing technologies are constantly being improved: new forms of panels are being developed, aerodynamic characteristics are improving, an innovative method called thermal stitching is used in the latest models.
The American concern Nike is a bright competitor of Adidas products: thanks to the use of modern technologies and product quality, the company managed to get the status official supplier equipment for the games of professional teams - Nike soccer balls are found in top-level competitions.
Select is not yet such a popular brand, however, soccer balls from this manufacturer, designed for amateurs and professionals, show themselves only with better side. Thanks to the top level of quality and reliability, they are used in games in Russian First division and other official match meetings.
Buy balls at a bargain price
You can buy soccer balls from 320 rubles, of various sizes and characteristics in the online store site: gaming, training, souvenir and high-tech - any model presented in the category corresponds to the description of the manufacturer. Play football, score bright goals and win, and the inventory bought here will help with this!
Many people who are far from football may think that it always has the same size. However, this is far from the case, and if you think so, then you are missing out on many aspects of such as a soccer ball. Its dimensions can vary greatly depending on, for example, for what purposes this projectile serves. There are five sizes in total that do not have any special name, so they are all simply numbered - from first to fifth. So, it's time to find out what size a soccer ball can be. Dimensions can be very important for those people who want to play this sport professionally. If you play football exclusively in the yard with friends, then the physical performance of the ball is unlikely to play a particularly important role for you.
First size
What can be such a projectile as a soccer ball? Dimensions start from the first, and the first ball is considered to be the one that has a circumference of 43 centimeters. This is the so-called advertising ball, which is never used for the game. It is created exclusively for advertising and exhibition purposes, so a large number of different logos are always printed on it. People who are a little familiar with this field of activity may at first think that such a ball cannot be played. But in fact, it turns out that it is made from all the same materials as a regular game projectile. The only difference is the smaller size and weight. Accordingly, if you wish, you can safely play football using this soccer ball. Dimensions, of course, do not stop at one - there are four more different types of balls ahead of you.
Second size
If you are wondering what size soccer ball is used in official matches, then you will not get an answer to it yet. The fact is that the second size is also often used for advertising purposes, but not as often as the first. The main purpose of these balls is training, especially for beginner football players, that is, young children. a ball of the second size does not exceed 56 centimeters, and its mass is much less than the mass of a full-fledged ball - about 280 grams. Professional footballers can also work with such projectiles - but they use them mainly to improve the technique and level of possession of the ball, which is achieved due to its lightness. As you may have noticed, not everyone immediately understands how it is calculated in the official data, it is far from indicated in the first place - it is traditionally customary to consider the circumference, so it is indicated specifically, as well as the weight of the ball. These are the two main characteristics that determine the size of the projectile.
Third size
This size is also used mainly for training young children, since its dimensions are also small - only 61 centimeters in circumference and 340 grams in weight. Naturally, this is more than the second size, but still not so much to be considered a full-fledged gaming projectile. But of all three sizes, this one is the closest to a full-fledged ball.
Fourth size
This size stands out from the rest, because these balls are designed for futsal. The size of the mini soccer ball is different from that used for big game. Its circumference does not exceed 64 centimeters, and its weight is 440 grams. But at the same time, in this case, there are already restrictions on the back of the scale - that is, the ball must be at least 62 centimeters in circumference and at least 400 grams in weight. In balls of such a high level, other indicators are already being checked, such as the pressure inside the projectile. Moreover, a number of experiments are being carried out to check the quality - for example, if the ball falls from a height of two meters, then its rebound should not exceed 65 centimeters, but it should not be less than fifty centimeters. In general, everything becomes much more strict and clear.
Fifth size
Well, the last size, as you might have guessed, is the balls that are used in all official professional football competitions. Such a ball weighs about 450 grams and has a circumference of 68 to 70 centimeters. It should be noted right away that balls corresponding to this size are the most popular, common and in demand. This is indicated by statistics, thanks to which you can find out that every year more balls of the fifth size are produced than balls of four sizes combined. Therefore, most likely, in your head you associate a soccer ball with a size five projectile, even when you do not suspect that there are more than one size. But now you are aware that the sizes of the balls can be different, in accordance with them, the projectiles are used for different purposes. And each dimension is important in its own way.
At the beginning of the 19th century, the inhabitants of England, who are directly the founders of football, adopted a certain standard of balls used to play football. It was developed by the English Football Association. What are the characteristics of the ball? Its standard length is 67-71 cm, weight varies from 368 to 425 grams. Surprisingly, the parameters of the circumference have been preserved to the present, but the weight characteristic has undergone changes. The mass of the ball has increased significantly since 1937: by standards from 410 to 425 grams, and since then it has not changed.
In the old days, people also played games similar to the football of our time. The skull of a person or animal then acted as a ball. It was pre-fitted with leather or the bladders of various large animals, such as cows or pigs, were used.
Since the 1970s, balls of the same brand, Adidas, have been increasingly used to play at the World Cup. Interestingly, by the beginning of any world football championship, Adidas was improving and creating a new appearance their balls.
Geographically, a large number of balls are produced in Pakistan. At the same time, the main production is concentrated in one city - Sialkot.
Unusual is the fact that the balls for official games at the World Cup get their own unique name. Moreover, this name was not taken from nowhere, it correlates with the life and features of the country where the Championship is held. For example, for a football forum held in Mexico in the 80s of the 20th century, the Adidas sports company developed a ball, which was named Azteca. On the black parts of this ball, there are patterns of the well-known Aztecs. And in Italy, at a World Cup match held in the 90s, the players played with the ball, which was called "EtruscoUnico", which translates as "Etruscan Lions". In addition to the images of the heads of those Etruscan lions, they contained a mention of the people of antiquity - the Etruscans, who at one time were located on the territory of Italy.
In addition to the mass and circumference of a soccer ball, the rules of the game, which have already been approved, also determine what the ball is made of, its atmospheric pressure, color and even, oddly enough, its shape.
A survey was conducted among football players, and, in their opinion, the best choice would be to purchase UMBRO brand footballs for playing football. The same opinion is held famous football players, world game stars and even FIFA experts.
Let's talk about what soccer balls are.
In 1855, the first soccer ball was produced. Its creator was Charles Goodyear. At that time, rubber served as its material. The use of rubber as a material significantly strengthened the ball and increased the rebound characteristics. In the early 1960s, all-synthetic material began to be used to make balls. Then there were balls made of leather shell, but in the late 80s they were replaced by balls made of synthetics. This is due to lower cost, greater softness of the soccer ball and moisture resistant characteristics. Now balls are made from genuine leather or other materials that are suitable for certain parameters.
According to geometric features, balls come in sizes:
- 1st. They have 32 parts. The length of their roundness is not more than 43 cm.
- 2nd. It consists of 26 or 32 parts. The length of its roundness is 56 cm, and the mass is not more than 283 grams.
- 3rd. It consists of 32 parts, weight - no more than 340 grams, and the length of the roundness is no more than 61 cm.
- 4th. It is this size that is the standard for futsal competitions. The weight of the ball varies from 369 to 425 g, and the length of the roundness is from 63.5 to 66 cm.
- 5th. These balls are used in all FIFA World Cups. The length of their circumference varies from 68 to 70 cm, and their weight is no more than 450 g.
According to the international standard, the characteristics of the ball are as follows:
- the ball is made of leather or similar material suitable for playing football;
- the length of the roundness of the ball is standard - from 68 to 70 cm;
- the mass of the ball has also not changed in recent decades and varies from 410 to 450 g;
- during the game, the pressure of the ball must be at least 0.6 atmospheres and not more than 1.1 atmospheres;
- according to the standards, the ball participating in the championship must be 5 sizes.
The FIFA rules, which apply to all football, spell out strict oversight of quality control. In this system, it is established that all balls used under the FIFA mark and participating in competitions must be marked with special signs “FIFA INSPECTED” or “FIFA APPROVED”. In order for the ball to earn such a quality mark, balls from brands such as UMBRO, Adidas, etc., are subjected to many tests. These tests consist of checking the weight of the ball, checking the length of its roundness, moisture resistance, controlling the ball's rebound and its ability to hold pressure.
For playing basketball, choose the ball wisely. This item is the main thing you need on the basketball court.
It seems that all the balls are the same: round, tightly inflated, orange in color, with black stripes. However, they vary in size.
It's all about Who is the sports equipment for?
Sizes of basketballs: numbers 3, 5, 6, 7. Which ones do not exist?
Basketball accessories, although they look the same, but have a gradation in diameter and weight.
This is due to the fact that various national teams play balls of different sizes: men's, women's, children's and mini-basketball teams.
The smallest are used for dribbling practice players.
Issued in four variants: these are sizes with numbers 7, 6, 5 and 3. There are no other sizes.
- Seven: diameter - 749-780 mm, weight 567-650 g.
- Six: 724-737 mm, 510-567 g.
- Five: 690-710 mm, 470-500 g.
- Three: 560-580 mm, 300-330 g.
Standard and large diameter
"Sevens"- the largest of the officially accepted. However, accessories are also standard, according to FIBA. sixth size(women's teams play with such slightly smaller projectiles).
Dependence on the age of the player
When it comes to young basketball players, then with big and heavy balls it's too early for them to work. It is too difficult to hold an “adult” object in small palms, and even throw a weighty projectile to the basket - problem. For them, the best option is smaller and lighter.
How do children play basketball?
Size basketballs are suitable for children 5 : such children's teams play in competitions by age up to 12 years. Besides, "fives" use when competing in mini-basketball.
Photo 1. A boy holds a basketball in his hand of the correct size for him under the guidance of a coach.
If the athlete is very small, a beginner, then for the first single training sessions they occasionally take "threes".
Which is suitable for men?
Men play with big and heavy balls - "sevens". The standard of such a projectile is free: the difference in mass fluctuates around almost 100 grams. In other categories, this parameter is less.
Factors to consider when choosing
The choice of an accessory for basketball in size is an important point, but they pay attention not only to dimensions. There are other nuances, such as if a person plays outdoors or in the gym.
Photo 2. Spalding Never Flat Indoor/Outdoor orange basketball.
For the first option on the street, choose a category outdoor, for the second - indoor. For street play, you should not buy an expensive professional ball. It is better to take cheap rubber or synthetic. This projectile is still won't last long. Street operation, blows on asphalt, dust wear out such a ball. But that's what it's designed for.
For playing in the hall, it makes sense to buy an expensive and professional attribute made of composite artificial leather. The difference is not only in price. Ball marked indoor keeps its shape well, it is more convenient to lie down in the palm of your hand, when used only in the hall, it retains its game characteristics and quality for a long time.
Important! Hall ball several times more expensive, as well as more rigid (greater risk of injury). Such sports equipment unsuitable for outdoor use as they quickly deteriorate, lose their appearance and shape from moisture, dust and other unsuitable conditions.
Other criteria and firms
If a person acquires the ball in sports shop, then you should look for it to be pumped up correctly.
This means that when you press hard with your finger, the surface is pressed through no more than half a centimeter. If it is pumped up weaker, then, perhaps, it bleeds air somewhere, and you have to pump up regularly shell.
An overly inflated ball that cannot be pushed through with a finger can quickly lose shape when it hits the floor in play.
Attention! If the projectile is ordered in an online store, then you will most likely have to pump it up yourself: for sending from balls the air is released.
Projectile rebound is also important from the surface, which is checked as follows: the object is freely thrown from shoulder height.
He should bounce to the waist: no more and no less.
If a person plans to play basketball more or less seriously (not to mention the professional level), then you should take care of acquiring decent sports equipment.
They are made by companies specializing in the manufacture of basketballs. good brands Nike, Spalding, Molten, Wilson, Mikasa.
Reference! Sometimes novice players draw an analogy with leather soccer balls and want to buy a basketball accessory. from genuine leather. However, such attributes are a thing of the past. Today, synthetic materials that are durable and suitable for the specifics of this game are used.
