Match Ball
Selecting the right soccer ball boils down to choosing the size and construction of the ball based on the player’s age and league requirements. The younger the player, the smaller the ball in most cases. Cost is also a big factor in selecting the correct soccer ball. Synthetic-leather balls are the most expensive and basic rubber-type soccer balls cost the least. Leather is no longer the favorite choice of soccer ball coverings because leather absorbs more moisture than synthetic soccer balls. A wet leather ball gets heavier over time and becomes much slower in play.
There are three basic categories of soccer balls. Match soccer balls used in professional international matches meet all Federation Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) requirements and are imprinted with the organization’s logo on the ball. They are also the most expensive type of soccer ball. In the middle range are the competition balls used in college and high school competition. Recreational and training balls fill are the least expensive.
Most soccer balls are made of blends of polyurethane (PU), polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and common rubber or nylon. The best and most expensive PU balls feel like leather and are very firm, durable and water-resistant. The PVC balls are also very durable but are not as soft and responsive as the PU-blend balls. Common rubber and nylon balls can present a real value because they cost the least and last the longest. Although the rubber and nylon soccer balls lack the feel of match balls, they are fine for practice and training.
Soccer balls are all clearly marked in one of three sizes with the smaller the size number, the smaller the ball. Most all soccer balls come marked in sizes 3, 4 or 5. Size 3 soccer balls are used for beginners under 8 years old are 23-inches in circumference and weigh 12-ounces. Size 4 balls are designed for players between the ages of 8 and 12 and weigh about the same as the smaller balls at 12-ounces but are larger in circumference at just over 25-inches. Size 5 soccer balls are designed for use by all players 13 and older and are built to the international standard size for all sanctioned competition. The size 5 balls weigh about 15-ounces and have a circumference of 28-inches.
Additional factors to consider in soccer ball construction are the lining and inner bladder. The lining underneath the outer covering controls the shape and feel of the ball. The bladder contains the air inside the ball and also contributes to shape and responsiveness in play. Match soccer balls usually have four layers of a combined cotton/polyester-blend lining. Mid-range balls have two layers of cotton and two layers of polyester lining, and the least expensive balls have only two layers of polyester lining.
Soccer ball bladders come in both latex and butyl. The latex bladders are considered the best type of ball construction, but they don’t hold air as long as butyl bladders and need attention to proper inflation. Butyl or butyl-blend bladders hold their air better but are harder less responsive in play. The most common bladder found in mid-priced balls will usually be a blend of 80% butyl with 20% rubber.
The number of panels on a soccer ball can influence flight characteristics and how much control the player will have in play. A 32-panel ball is the type used in international soccer competition. Major League Soccer in the United States uses an 18-panel ball, and most indoor soccer leagues use 6-panel balls. The panels on high-end soccer balls are hand-stitched with synthetic thread. Mid-priced soccer balls have the same high-quality thread but are machine stitched to reduce cost. Low-cost practice and training balls will usually have panels that are glued together.
Adidas, Nike, Voit, Puma, Brine and Diadora all make good all-around quality balls that are relatively affordable, ranging from $20 to $80. Good practice balls can be purchased for as little as $15. For most young players today, an inexpensive training ball is usually all they will need to get into soccer and start having fun.
About the Author:
Mike Jones is an experienced blog master and published author. He lives in
Los Angeles California. For more info please visit www.soccerballs.com
Article Source: ArticlesBase.com - Soccer Balls
FIFA World Cup 2010 Match Ball
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 adi World Cup 2010 Official Match Soccer Ball--$150 sz5  US $60.00
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 adi World Cup 2010 Final Match Soccer Ball--$150 retail US $66.00
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 Match Mate Rookie Tennis Ball Machine, 10% Off Sale US $320.00
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 Adidas Azteca - 1986 World Cup Orange Match Ball - Rare US $1,200.00
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 2010 World Cup Authentic Match Ball JABULANI Ret. $150 US $74.00
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 adi World Cup 2010 Official Match Soccer Ball--$150 sz5 US $50.88
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 Lot of 5- 2010 World Cup Replica FIFA Match Ball US $121.00
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 Jabulani Portuguese League 2010/11 Official Match Ball US $400.00
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 adi World Cup 2010 Official Match Soccer Ball--$150 sz5 US $53.00
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 Adidas Jabulani 2010 FIFA World Cup Match Ball - Size 5 US $49.99
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 ANDY MURRAY US OPEN Championship Match Used Tennis Ball US $9.99
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 RAFAEL NADAL US OPEN 2008 Championship Match Used Ball US $7.99
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 Rugby Ball Size 5, PRO MATCH 4 PLY PU LEATHER BALL US $21.84
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 adi World Cup 2010 Official Match Soccer Ball--$150 sz5 US $14.50
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 adi World Cup 2010 Final Match Soccer Ball--$150 retail US $26.00
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 JABULANI OFFICIAL MATCH BALL - 2010 WORLD CUP - SIGNED US $39.00
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 NEW 2010 World Cup FIFA JABULANI Match Ball With Box US $19.99
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 NEW 2010 World Cup FIFA JABULANI Match Ball With Box US $19.99
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 12 SIZE 5 MATCH PLAY SOCCER BALLS football futsol #8002 US $89.95
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 VOLLEY BALL BROOCH AND EARRINGS TO MATCH US $.99
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 Jabulani South Africa World Cup Match Soccer Ball US $104.95
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 NEW 2010 World Cup FIFA JABULANI Match Ball With Box US $19.99
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 NEW 2010 World Cup FIFA JABULANI Match Ball With Box US $19.99
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 NEW 2010 World Cup FIFA JABULANI Match Ball With Box US $19.99
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 adi World Cup 2010 Final Match Soccer Ball--$150 retail US $2.24
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 adi World Cup 2010 Official Match Soccer Ball--$150 sz5 US $41.00
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 Adidas World Cup 2010 Official Match Ball US $40.01
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 2010 World Cup Authentic Match Ball JABULANI Ret. $150 US $15.74
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 Green Yellow Ninja FIVB Match Practice Volleyball Ball US $6.99
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 GENUINE C1865 PRINT POLO MATCH SAUDI ARABIA GAME BALL US $4.67
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 ASPREY & CO. BALL VESTA (MATCH) STRIKER .925 US $500.00
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 NEW 2010 World Cup FIFA JABULANI Match Ball With Box US $29.95
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 GERMANY v SPAIN Jabulani FIFA World Cup Match Ball US $32.00
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 ENGLAND v GERMANY Jabulani FIFA World Cup Match Ball US $81.00
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 TAIL Blue Tennis Ball Match Point Set Zipper Jacket M US $7.95
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 Match Mate Rookie Tennis Ball Machine, 10% Off Sale US $359.00
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 2010 World Cup FIFA Jabulani Official Match Ball Soccer US $28.86
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 World Cup 2010 Final Match Soccer Ball $150 value US $61.01
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 World Cup 2010 Official Match Soccer Ball $150 value US $56.01
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 MLS Official 2010 Match Soccer Ball $150 retail value US $66.00
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 Antique Brass Match Holder Decorative--Ball Slides Open US $59.00
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 URUGUAY v GERMANY Jabulani FIFA World Cup Match Ball US $17.50
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 World Cup 2010 Final Match Soccer Ball $150 value US $55.41
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 World Cup 2010 Official Match Soccer Ball $150 value US $53.00
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 MLS Official 2010 Match Soccer Ball $150 retail value US $42.00
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 NEW 2010 World Cup FIFA JABULANI Match Ball With Box US $19.99
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 ADIDAS JO`BULANI WORLD CUP FINAL OFFICIAL MATCH BALL US $129.95
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 SUBBUTEO FOOTBALL ITALIA 90 MATCH FOOTBALLS BALLS x3 US $1.55
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 SUBBUTEO ORANGE ADIDAS TANGO MATCH FOOTBALLS BALLS x3 US $2.65
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 SUBBUTEO FOOTBALL MITRE DELTA MATCH FOOTBALLS BALLS x3 US $1.55
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 SUBBUTEO FOOTBALL GREEN LOGO MATCH FOOTBALLS BALLS x3 US $1.55
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 adidas MLS Official 2010 Match Soccer Ball $150 retail US $51.00
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 adidas 2010 World Cup Final Match Soccer Ball $150value US $59.88
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 adidas Official 2010 World Cup Match Soccer Ball $150 US $49.00
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 MLS Official 2010 Match Soccer Ball $150 retail value US $36.00
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 NEW POLO RALPH LAUREN DUAL MATCH PONY BALL CAP HAT US $19.99
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 Green Yellow Ninja FIVB Match Practice Volleyball Ball US $6.99
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 GROUP OF 3 ROUND MATCH BOXES TENNIS BALL CANS 1970s US $3.00
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 New Green Yellow FIVB Match Practice Volleyball Ball US $9.99
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 St. Andrews Memoribilia -Ball,marker,Divot tool,Matches US $15.00
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 Nike T90 Official Match Ball US $30.00
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 * 2010 World Cup Match Soccer Ball Size 5 -$50 Retail * US $.99
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 2010 World Cup FIFA Jabulani Official Match Ball Soccer US $25.26
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 Rugby Ball Size 5, PRO MATCH 4 PLY PU LEATHER BALL US $21.84
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 Black Jabulani fifa 2010 replica match ball - WOW! US $29.99
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 2010 World Cup FIFA Jabulani Official Match Ball Soccer US $27.99
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 Vizari Match T-11 NFHS Soccer Balls SIZE 5 US $4.95
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 Vizari Match T-11 NFHS Soccer Balls Size 4 US $4.95
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 2 PCS Mix and Match Sweaters Top by Ball of Cotton Sz L US $15.99
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 New Green Yellow FIVB Match Practice Volleyball Ball US $9.99
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 Two Boxes SKF Ball Bearings Advertising Matches US $3.99
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 2 Match Striker Holder ball shaped with stone US $9.95
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 2 Match Striker Holder ball shaped with stone & Green US $9.95
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 * 2010 World Cup Match Soccer Ball Size 5 -$50 Retail * US $.99
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 * 2010 World Cup Match Soccer Ball Size 5 -$50 Retail * US $.99
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 New Green Yellow FIVB Match Practice Volleyball Ball US $9.99
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 NEW ADIDAS JABULANI WORLD CUP 2010 OFFICIAL MATCH BALL US $31.69
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 Australia vs. Serbia 2010 Jabulani Official Match Ball US $275.11
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 2010 World Cup FIFA Jabulani Official Match Ball Soccer US $19.99
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 * 2010 World Cup Match Soccer Ball Size 5 -$50 Retail * US $.99
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 New Green Yellow FIVB Match Practice Volleyball Ball US $9.99
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 1970 WORLD CUP MATCH BALL /RARE ADIDAS SPECIAL EDITION US $.99
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 Spain VS Netherlands Jo'bulani Final Match Ball! US $180.00
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 GERMANY V SPAIN 2010 FIFA WORLD CUP JABULANI MATCH BALL US $150.00
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 * 2010 World Cup Match Soccer Ball Size 5 -$50 Retail * US $14.99
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 New Green Yellow FIVB Match Practice Volleyball Ball US $9.99
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 * 2010 World Cup Match Soccer Ball Size 5 -$50 Retail * US $.99
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 New Green Yellow FIVB Match Practice Volleyball Ball US $9.99
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 NETHERLANDS v JAPAN Jabulani FIFA World Cup Match Ball US $33.00
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 2010 World Cup FIFA Jabulani Official Match Ball Soccer US $29.99
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 2010 NEW World Cup FIFA Official Match Ball Soccer US $30.58
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 * 2010 World Cup Match Soccer Ball Size 5 -$50 Retail * US $14.99
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And a selection of products from Amazon
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Rafael Nadal 2008 US Open Match Used Ball Sale Price: $58.99  |
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This very unique item is an official match used ball from one of Rafael Nadal's match at the 2008 US Open tournament. It comes in a clear box with a sealed Ace Authentic hologram label for authenticity. |
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Dimension Match Rugby Ball from Gilbert Sale Price: $35.95 |
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Truflight bladder improves aerodynamics for ultimate balance and longer flight. Rubber surface. Hand-stitched, cotton multi-laminate construction. For all levels of play. An assortment of colors are available... |
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RUGBY MOTIVATIONAL ART PRINT MATCH SHIRT GROUP EFFORT Sale Price: $3.39 |
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Group Effort - Rugby. IT IS THE ABILITY TO WORK TOGETHER WHICH DETERMINES SUCCESS. 22x28 inches |
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Danco Perfect Match 34756B Lavatory Pop-Up Repair Part (Pack of 5) Sale Price: $8.95 |
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Ball seal model No. F17069 for Crane. 1 per UPC coded bag. |
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DANCO CORP. A0080698 PART KIT Sale Price: $1.98 |
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Plastic Replacement Ball For Delta® And Peerless® Single Lever Handle FaucetTSG model No. D110. Aqua model No. 14416.Your are ordering Part # 80698 |
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Backyard Ballistics: Build Potato Cannons, Paper Match Rockets, Cincinnati Fire Kites, Tennis Ball Mortars, and More Dynamite Devices Sale Price: $4.50 Average Rating:  |
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This step by step guide enables ordinary folks to construct 13 awesome ballistic devices using inexpensive household or hardware store materials. |
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