What kind of leather are soccer balls made of? How to choose the right soccer ball. The best soccer ball manufacturers - which company to choose

We often have to deal with different customer opinions regarding soccer balls. Many of them, of course, are valuable, as they have a real, practical basis, but others are based on myths or stereotypes, several of which will be discussed in this article.

There are several reasons for the appearance of the mentioned myths or misconceptions: lack of reliable information, incorrect interpretation of the descriptions and characteristics provided by the manufacturer, which is especially typical for translated materials, the seller's desire to logically explain the presence of certain features of the balls in the absence of reliable information. We have selected three, in our opinion, the most stable stereotypes that cause the greatest rejection and the desire to provide appropriate explanations.

Myth # 1: "The best soccer ball is a genuine leather ball"

Yes, it was, until the mid-70s of the last century, until the moment when the chemical industry reached the level of development that we have seen over the past decades. Today there are a lot of materials that, in their characteristics, are many times superior to natural leather, the main disadvantages of which are:

• Hygroscopicity (ability to absorb moisture)... When the ball absorbs moisture, its weight increases, the balance is disturbed, and when the ball dries, it can deform. A genuine leather ball needs proper care.
• Uneven density since the ball is made of genuine leather. This feature significantly affects the balance of the ball.
• High price genuine leather, suitable for making quality balls.
• Conservatism due to the laboriousness and complexity of leather processing.

In a constantly changing world, with its trends, explosive brightness and a desire for experimentation, natural leather simply cannot provide space for imagination and satisfy an increasingly selective consumer interest.

Summary: The concept of "leather ball" is rather a tribute to traditions, and does not mean at all that the ball should be made of genuine leather, because synthetic leather is also leather. The buyer, of course, is always right, and may have warm feelings for the history and smell of natural materials, but today few people use oil lamps or typewriters when there are electric bulbs and computers, right?

Myth # 2: The more liners, the better the ball

Let's see what lining layers are and what they are for. Any synthetic leather, which is the top layer of most balls, is stretchable. The ball, in turn, must always have a given shape and parameters (weight, circumference, etc.), depending on the specific sport. The lining layers, which are glued under synthetic leather, are responsible for maintaining the shape of the ball and meeting the parameters. The minimum number of layers is 1, the maximum is 5. In order for the panels of the ball to stretch less, the lining layers are glued to each other at an angle of 90 ° or 45 °.

At first glance, it seems that due to the greater number of lining layers, the ball's tire is thicker, which means that the ball itself will be stronger. But this is nothing more than a myth, a delusion. The more layers, the more difficult it is to achieve uniform density, and therefore balance of the ball. An increase in the number of layers leads to an increase in the mass of the ball, which is unacceptable, and in turn makes it necessary to carry out manipulations to reduce the weight of other elements of the ball structure (cameras, tires). Often, a large number of layers indicates that the manufacturer needed to bring the ball to the desired weight, and the tire material (more expensive synthetic leather) was used thin. A ball like this won't last long. The optimal number of layers for soccer balls: 3-4. Sometimes the seller does not quite correctly call other elements of the ball structure as lining layers, for example, a layer of foam or rubber, therefore, such a phrase as 6-7 lining layers requires at least clarification.

But it is not only the quantity that is important, but also the materials used, their type and density. The use of modern, non-stretching, durable, non-absorbent materials allows the application of fewer backing layers while obtaining satisfactory test results. The most commonly used materials are polycotton, polyviscose, polyester.

Polycotton (polyester + cotton), the main advantage of which is its low cost, the material itself is looser, stretchable, heavy and less tensile than other materials. Usually polycotton is used in inexpensive amateur balls. Polyviscose (polyester + viscose)- lightweight, thin, low-stretch and durable material combined with an acceptable cost. Polyester, the most durable of synthetic materials, practically non-stretching, resistant to abrasion, thin and light - one of the best materials to use as backing layers. Its only drawback is its high cost, especially if the polyester is made in Europe. As a rule, polyester is used for making expensive models.

Most often, manufacturers combine various materials, which allows the ball to be given the desired weight, thickness and strength, for example, it can be a combination of layers of polyviscose and polycotton, polyester and polyviscose, etc.

Summary: the number of lining layers should not exceed 5, the optimal amount is 3-4 layers, it makes sense to pay attention to the material from which the layers are made, the best is polyester, the golden mean is a combination of polyviscose and polycotton.

Myth # 3: "The ball says" FIFA "," FIFA Official Standard "or" FIFA Official Size and Weight ", so the ball is official."

There are only two types of certifications issued by FIFA - FIFA Approved and FIFA Inspected. After passing the tests, in the case of FIFA Approved, these are seven tests, with FIFA Inspected - six, for each specific ball (brand, name, design) a certificate is issued and a number is assigned to it. After the conclusion of a contract with FIFA for the right to produce certified balls, each such ball must have a corresponding logo indicating the certificate number.

A company that has entered into an agreement with FIFA, during the validity of the certificate, is obliged to pay royalties (deductions) to FIFA for each produced ball with the logo (FIFA Approved about $ 1.5, FIFA Inspected $ 0.75). A list of certified balls (manufacturers) can always be found on the official FIFA website - www.fifa.com. FIFA itself does not have an official ball as such, tournaments can be played with balls of various brands, depending on who became the owner of the sponsorship contract, but for many years FIFA's partner in balls has been Adidas.

Summary: Rather, the words “FIFA”, “FIFA Official Standard” or “FIFA Official Size and Weight” should be treated as a design element that informs that the ball is FIFA compliant, applied to soccer balls.

The brevity of the article does not make it possible to talk about all the features of soccer balls, about the myths, which are still quite a lot, but we hope that the article will help you better understand this only, at first glance, a simple product.

Myth number 4: "The ball is round"

Truth: Possibly, but not in football
Ideally, the ball can, of course, be considered round (although a sphere of 20 hexagons and 12 pentagons cannot be round, if only because the seams are usually two millimeters lower than the surface of the ball itself). The geometric shape of the ball is round only when it is at rest. If they hit him, which is the meaning of football, it naturally changes immediately. As photographs and slow motion replays show, these changes are quite dramatic. Due to its elastic properties, the gas-filled ball returns to its original state just as quickly, while using the received energy in order to change the nature of the movement. Thus, it becomes clear that precisely because the ball is not completely round, it acquires a special dynamics. This means that football exists because the ball is not always round. The soccer ball has a kind of "soul" and for some time can even resist the gravity of the earth. Like everything round, the soccer ball symbolizes uncertainty, luck and the future. And the first of these three points characterizes football in the best possible way.

Often, in order to make the right purchase, you need to spend a lot of time choosing and searching. People stopped making hasty decisions and began to be guided by expert opinion, and therefore we are in a hurry to help you.

In this article, we give tips on how to choose a soccer ball and what to look out for.

What are soccer balls?

1. Match balls. They are much more massive than all others and have the best grip.

2. Professional balls. Real athletes play football with them. Their peculiarity is that they are the most practical and suitable for playing in any weather.

3. Specialized balls. They are used to practice techniques, can have a shifted center of gravity, be lighter or heavier than standard ones.

4. Practice balls. As a rule, they are laminated, inexpensive and highly durable.

Outwardly, all four types are similar, only a specialist can determine the difference. Therefore, before making a purchase, you should decide on the purpose of the purchase.

How to choose a quality soccer ball?

A quality soccer ball consists of three main elements - a tire, a lining, and a tube. Each element has its own characteristics, so you should take a closer look at each of them.

Tires. Modern products differ from their predecessors. Leather balls are considered an echo of the past - they quickly get wet, gaining weight, and cannot withstand intense workouts. Polymer coatings have become alternative materials: polyurethane and polyvinyl chloride.

Lining. It should be tough, but not firm - this is a very important point.

Camera. It can be made from a wide variety of materials (latex, polyurethane, butyl). We recommend that you purchase products where the chamber is made of butyl, which is able to retain air for a longer time.

Stitching. It can be manual or machine. Most machine-stitched balls do not hold up to stress. Good soccer balls are hand-sewn.

How to choose a soccer ball

How to choose a soccer ball for a child?

Site surface. A turf-marked ball will deteriorate very quickly if played on tarmac, sandy ground or rubber courts. The best option would be a hand-stitched polyurethane ball, designed for the site on which the game is planned. It will last longer.

The size. For a child under 8 years old, ball No. 3 (weight no more than 340 grams) is suitable, from 8 to 12 years old - No. 4 (weight from 369 to 425 grams), from 12 - No. 5 (from 425 to 450 grams)

If the ball has already been selected, you may find the following tips useful:

1. How to pump up a soccer ball? For this you need a special pump. You can do this both with your own hands and at any sports store. In order not to spend money on the pump, you can simply ask for help. In many cases, they will help you absolutely free of charge and thus you will easily cope with the task.

How to pump up a soccer ball without a needle.

2. How to sew a soccer ball? The second question is a little more complicated and, probably, it will need to be solved individually. Do not worry, because it is quite possible to sew a soccer ball on your own. You will need thick needles and strong thread. It must be sewn sequentially and along a precise line. Since the product is round, it is most convenient to fix it between the legs. The editors of the site hope that when the work is done, you will be able to play football with your favorite ball with pleasure.

Football is played everywhere: in Moscow courtyards and in the favelas of Rio de Janeiro, in African villages and beyond the Arctic Circle ... The popularity of the game is explained, among other things, by the simplicity of the equipment. Football can be played in any clothes, shoes, and (even barefoot!), Without collars and markings. But the ball must be required.

In sports stores today you will be offered dozens of different soccer balls. How to deal with this abundance? Sportbox.ru decided to make your choice easier. We analyzed the assortment of the online store "Territory of sports" which offers Select and Umbro footballs.

Outwardly differing only in coloring, the balls can have a completely different device. What should you know about this and where should you start when entering a store? The main thing is to understand what kind of surface you are going to play on. Is the grass natural or artificial, soil or asphalt, popular on yards, snow or wooden floors in the gym? For each of these coatings, their own balls are produced, which differ significantly in characteristics from each other.

The tougher the coating, the thicker the outer layer of the ball, the so-called frame, should be, - notes the expert of the company "AVM Sport" Yulia Borisova. - For balls played on the snow, this difference from other types can be 20-25 percent. The materials also differ - professional balls for playing on the grass are made of polyurethane and microfiber, for the ground - from polyvinyl chloride (PVC), for asphalt - from special high-strength rubber. And this is important. For example, budget balls for playing on grass and ground, made of PVC, which is cheaper than polyurethane, are not suitable for winter, as they become "stiff" in the cold. In general, this material is less durable, lightweight and soft. The second point to remember is who exactly the ball is for. With the same size, children's football balls can be 20-40 grams lighter than adults.

Everyone knows that the sizes of the balls are indicated by numbers, and the standard is "five". What other signs should you look for on the surface of the ball to be sure that you are buying a really high-quality product?

There are three international ball quality standards developed by FIFA in cooperation with the specialists of the Danish company Select. Usually professional and semi-professional models are tested. If you see the FIFA Inspected logo on the ball, it has passed six tests and meets all the basic parameters: weight, circumference, sphericity, pressure loss, moisture absorption and rebound. A successful seventh test - to maintain its shape and size after 2,000 strikes against a steel plate - entitles the ball to be marked with the FIFA Approved mark. But you have to pay an international federation to use these logos, so these balls can be up to 20 percent more expensive than similar ones that don't pass quality checks. Therefore, there is also the IMS ("International Ball Standard"), which generally corresponds to the content of FIFA Inspected.

But it is not only the quality marks that affect the price of the ball. Much also depends on the manufacturing technology. What nuances exist here, and how exactly do models for 500 rubles differ from those that cost several times more?

In quality balls, the frame consists of polyurethane and microfiber, lined with non-woven material, which is more resistant to wear and tear. To reduce the cost, many manufacturers, in addition to replacing polyurethane with PVC, make the surface thinner and, in order to keep within the standard by weight, use polymer foam as a filler. But it has the unpleasant property of absorbing moisture, which significantly impairs the characteristics of the ball during the game - balance, controllability ... You should also pay attention to the material of the camera. The ideal, but also the most expensive option is natural latex, which recovers its shape better and faster after impact and provides perfect rebound. According to the standard, such a rebound should be 120-165 cm after the ball has fallen from a two-meter height. To reduce the cost, a butyl chamber is used.

So, you have made your choice and are ready to head home or even directly to the yard to try out the purchase. Do not hurry! Finally, a couple more tips from our expert that can give you a deadline for your next trip to the store. You also need to take care of the ball correctly.

After the purchase, the ball should be pumped up and left for a day so that it regains its original shape. After that, lower it and pump it up again. After playing, wipe the ball with a dry cloth and dry it at room temperature. The ball must be lowered between games to avoid loss of elasticity. When inflating, use silicone based oil - it prevents air leakage and prevents the nipple from cracking. If you follow these simple rules, the ball will last two to three years.

CHOICE OF AN EXPERT:

1. SELECT BRILLIANT SUPER FIFA 2008 is a professional ball approved by FIFA. Versatile for all coatings.

2. Select Premiere FIFA Approved is the official ball of the Amateur Football League. FIFA approved for playing on grass.

3. SELECT NUMERO 10 IMS- universal ball from the club series, complies with the IMS standard.

4. SELECT FLASH TURF 2008- a ball from the club series intended for playing on artificial turf

5. Select Viking IMS 2008- a ball for playing on the grass, according to the IMS standard.

In principle, it is impossible to play football without a soccer ball. There are tons of balls out there, and because of the variety, it can be difficult to choose the ball that's right for you. This guide will help you.

Types of soccer balls

It is important to understand that there are two main types of soccer balls - balls for big football and mini football balls... The main difference is that mini-football (futsal) balls have a low rebound, as they are used in areas with limited space. Footballs have a standard bounce. There are different types of balls in soccer and futsal balls: training, professional (such balls are FIFA or IMS certified), lightweight for children. Soccer balls are also available for hard surfaces, for beach soccer, souvenir mini-balls, and also balls with the symbols of clubs.

Practice balls

These are the most popular and common balls in sports schools and clubs. They differ in low cost (from 600 to 3000 rubles) and serve as “consumables” for any team or school.

Popular models:

You can find all the training balls from our range.

Professional balls

These balls are used in tournaments of the highest level - the World Championship, the Olympics, championships of different countries of the world, and so on. Professional balls always have a FIFA certificate, which confirms that this model of the ball has passed all the necessary tests (you can find information about what each certificate means below). The price of professional balls of different brands can vary from 2,000 to 8,000 rubles.

The main difference between professional balls and training balls lies in their quality of manufacture and the quality of the game process. A FIFA certified professional ball always flies as the player intended and does not go off track.

Typically, professional balls from Nike, Adidas and Select come in two contrasting colors - white for the summer season, and orange and yellow for better visibility during the winter season (so-called "winter soccer balls").

Popular models:

Select Brillant Super FIFA

Select Futsal Super FIFA

Miter Delta FIFA

You can find all professional balls.

Children's (lightweight) balls

For growing football players, special lightweight balls are offered. In the production of these balls, special materials of the tube and tires are used, which make the ball much lighter than standard balls of the same size. Because of this, children's lightweight balls have a number of features - 1) these balls release the pressure inside the chamber faster, that is, such balls need to be pumped up more often before the game, 2) the tires of these balls can wear out faster than standard balls.

Lightweight balls are most often used in children's sections and children's sports schools, since these balls are the best way to improve the technique of young football players without the risk of causing unnecessary foot injury.

The price of these balls is comparable to training balls from 950 to 2800 rubles.

Popular models:

Nike Lightweight

Adidas J290 and J350

You can find all children's lightweight balls.

Balls for hard surfaces

Special models of balls made for playing on hard artificial surfaces - low artificial grass, carpet, box / asphalt). As a rule, these balls use a more wear-resistant tire material.

Popular models:

Beach Soccer Balls

The beach soccer balls are covered in soft material for comfortable barefoot play. Also, such balls are usually additionally treated with a water-repellent substance.

Popular models:

All models of beach soccer balls can be found.

Souvenir balls and balls with club symbols

These balls are mainly produced in the 1st size and are not used for playing, but only as a gift. The price of such balls ranges from 450 to 990 rubles.

Popular models:

You can find all souvenir balls.

Special balls

Specialty soccer balls are balls for training the reaction of goalkeepers and players. Typically, these balls can have a non-standard shape (triangular instead of spherical), a shifted center of gravity, or increased weight. In addition, there are balls for visually impaired athletes (the so-called "balls with sound").

You can find all the special balls.

Types of stitching of ball panels and their design

Nowadays, the design of balls can consist of 6, 8, 10, 16 or 32 panels, while the design of the ball does not create significant differences during the game. For example, Select has always used the classic 32-panel design, while Nike and Adidas have successfully used 6, 8 and 32-panel designs.

It is much more important to understand the method of stitching these panels:

-Mechanical stitching... The ball panels are mechanically bonded in production. This stitching method is the most unreliable, but the cheapest. Hence the increased percentage of rejects for balls with this stitching. This stitching method is usually only used in cheap practice balls and souvenir balls.

-Manual stitching... This type of stitching is the most common and is highly reliable and durable. All top-end futsal balls are usually hand-stitched to help the balls withstand high loads. Soccer balls are also manufactured with hand-stitched panels, but this can lead to increased moisture gain when played in wet weather.

-Thermal bonding... This technology has appeared relatively recently. With this stitching method, the panels of the ball are “glued” to the chamber of the ball at a high temperature. These balls are perfectly spherical and do not pick up moisture. Ideal for big football. All top Nike, Adidas and Select professional balls are now heat-sealed.

Tire and ball tube

The camera is the heart of the ball. It is she who is filled with air when inflated and holds the pressure during the game. Chambers are often made from butyl or latex. The top-end balls have chambers made of natural latex. Latex feels better, but it retains air worse than butyl, so balls with latex tubes need to be inflated more often.

Three types of materials are mainly used for tires: PVC (polyvinyl chloride), TPU (thermopolyurethane) and PU (polyurethane). There are also balls made of genuine leather or pure rubber, but this is an exception to the rule.

Polyvinyl chloride is cheaper and sometimes more durable than polyurethane. It is often used in balls for training, futsal and street football. Polyurethane is the material for the more expensive and professional balls. Polyurethane balls are softer and respond better to impacts. TPU is used, as a rule, in budget balls.

Football ball care

The recommended pressure is usually marked on the ball next to the valve. An improperly inflated ball can be detrimental to the game and will wear out faster. When initially inflating, it is recommended to straighten the ball chamber to avoid inadvertent damage to the nipple or the shape of the ball chamber. After the initial inflation, it is recommended to leave the ball on for a few hours to smooth out any wrinkles. The ball must be cleaned of dirt and moisture after each game. It is not recommended to dry the ball in direct sunlight or on a battery - this may damage the ball at the joints of the panels. It is also not recommended to store the ball at too high or low temperatures, sit on it or put something heavy on top.

Sizes of soccer balls

Football balls are produced as standard 5 sizes, circumference 68-70 cm, weight 410-450 g. The characteristics of non-certified balls may vary. Such balls are considered traditional, and are used everywhere by adults and children.

Juniors up to 12-14 years old usually play balls 4 sizes, circumference 63-66 cm, weight 350-390 g. In addition, all futsal balls (futsal balls) are available in 4 sizes.

And for the smallest football players under 8 years old, balls are suitable Size 3 .

The size of souvenir mini-balls is 1 size.

Football is now considered the most popular sport on our planet. This game simply could not exist and develop so successfully if the soccer ball had not been invented at the time. As history shows, anything played its role, as long as it was possible to punch through it. They even used a porcine bladder, which later began to be placed in a leather sheath. Fortunately, in 1862, the first rubber bladder was invented, after which the mass production of round balls, which were inflated with a pump, began. Since 1937, the projectile has a clearly limited weight, ranging from 410 to 450 grams.

Many of us love to spend our free time playing football with our friends. Therefore, balls for this sport are very popular, which leads to the release of numerous fakes, which attract buyers with bright colors, but are very impractical and quickly torn. Let's try to figure out how to choose a quality soccer ball.

The first important parameter is the country of issue. Despite the fact that the British are considered the pioneers of football, balls are mainly produced in India and Pakistan. However, this does not mean at all that they are bad. The fact is that, according to statistics, about 80 percent of high-quality football shells are produced here. All this suggests that you do not need to pay extra money just for the fact that the product is allegedly made in England, Italy or Germany. At the same time, I would like to focus on the fact that the same footballs are produced exclusively in Asia and nowhere else.

The next nuance is size. No matter how beautifully the seller recommends this or that product, it should be remembered that for different age categories there is a different gradation of grams and centimeters. In particular, the third size soccer ball has the smallest weight and circumference. It is intended for those children who are under eight years old. "Four" is designed for young footballers aged 8 to 12 years. Well, those who are older should opt for # 5. Note that a corresponding designation is applied to each soccer ball.

Next, you need to find out about what the accessory is made of. Nowadays there is a stereotype that the ball should be made of leather. This is wrong, because the skin becomes heavier when exposed to moisture. Therefore, in the form of cladding, polyurethane or polyvinyl chloride is used. The first one is more expensive and of better quality. The main thing is to have more layers of it. Ask what the camera is made of. If it is made of butyl, the air will hold on much longer. However, if the material for it is natural latex, it will be much more pleasant and softer to hit. Therefore, it is better to pump up your game shell from time to time and get much more pleasure.

The last important aspect is drawing. The best soccer balls are printed onto the tire before the stitching process. The presence of paint at the joints of the seams indicates its appearance at the very end and the low quality of the product. It is quite natural that when choosing one should be guided by the recommendations of FIFA. The FIFA Inspected mark confirms that the ball is suitable for various types of fields, of course, with the exception of those with asphalt surfaces. The professional versions are marked with the FIFA Approved inscription, but they are very expensive.