Soccer Ball
It is widely considered the most popular game on earth. Played by millions of people from nearly every walk of life, and in nearly every nation, soccer - football or futbol as it is commonly known beyond the borders of the United States - is a sport that can be played by nearly anyone. Aside from the skills needed to maneuver the ball using your body, but not your hands - except for the goal keeper - soccer owes much of its international appeal to the fact that all you need to play is an open space and a single ball.
The mountains of equipment needed to play other sports - like tennis, golf, baseball, American football, and so many others - are an anathema to the soccer player. It is the ball, and only the ball, that one needs to play the game. But the soccer ball is not a generic item; there are many kinds of soccer balls on the market, and each has its own characteristics that differentiate it from the other balls.
At first glance it is hard to tell one soccer ball from another. Usually constructed in the same distinctive style, the trademark pentagonal and hexagonal panels make a soccer ball instantly recognizable. However, when you are trying to tell the difference between one ball and another, the first place to start is the cover.
In the past, full grain leather was used to make a top quality soccer ball, but real leather tends to absorb water easily, and a wet ball is a heavy ball that plays much differently than it was intended to play. Today, the first quality soccer balls are constructed from synthetic leather. Although there are many variations of synthetic leather, they are generally all a derivative of polyurethane or poly vinyl chloride. The best balls - those used in competition and by professionals - are almost always made of the polyurethane construction, while inexpensive practice balls are more likely to be poly vinyl chloride.
The way the panels of the soccer ball are stitched together is another indication of the quality of the ball. A high quality ball is going to be hand stitched with polyester cord or Kevlar reinforced polyester. Hand stitching allows the panels to be sewn tighter, which makes for a stronger and longer lasting soccer ball. Second-tier soccer balls are usually stitched as well, but the stitching is done by machine so it lacks the uncompromising quality that a hand stitched ball will possess. Inexpensive balls are usually not stitched at all, and instead are held together by gluing the panels onto the lining of the ball.
Soccer balls come in different sizes as well: Size 3, Size 4, and Size 5. Size 3 balls are the smallest balls and are typically used by players under the age of eight. Size 4 balls are the next size up, and players between the ages of eight and twelve use this size of ball. Size 5 balls are the standard size for adult play and are the standard size balls for all international play.
When shopping for a soccer ball it is important to have an eye for its size and construction. If you are unsure that the ball you are considering is of good quality, look to see if the ball is approved by either FIFA or NFHS. FIFA, Fédération Internationale de Football Association, and NFHS, the National Federation of State High School Association, both approve balls that meet the strict specifications that are outlined by each organization. If you purchase a ball that is approved by either governing body then you are almost assured of a ball that is of high quality in both construction and performance.
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Article Source: ArticlesBase.com - How To Find A Top Quality Soccer Ball
Soccer Ball (In The Face) - Parry Gripp
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 ENGLAND SOCCER BALL NEW WHITE SZ 5 US $12.99
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 MEXICO*1986 SOCCER WORLD CUP*BALL/SHADES*25P*AgPR US $20.00
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 SOCCER BALL FOOTBALL SPORTS COOL MUST HAVE BELT BUCKLE US $6.49
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 2010 HOUSTON DYNAMO MLS TEAM SIGNED SOCCER BALL US $125.00
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 2010 NY NEW YORK RED BULLS MLS TEAM SIGNED SOCCER BALL US $125.00
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 Spartan MINI SOCCER BALL / SOCCERBALL - 6" Diameter US $9.99
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 SPAIN ESPANA SOCCER WATER DRINKS BOTTLE W/ BALL red US $7.99
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 Black Soccer Ball Rhinestones Charm CellPhone Strap 813 US $.99 |
 2 Ply Soccer Ball White And Silver Color Size 5 New US $6.00
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 Farmers Insurance soccer stress ball foam US $.99
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 Kitten Cat soccer ball Armani 1 of a Kind Coloring MIB US $225.00
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 Golden Kick 2 Ply Soccer Ball White And Silver Color US $6.00
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 REAL MADRID FOOTBALL SOCCER Trucker Hat Ball Cap US $.99
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 TREASURE CRAFT SOCCER BALL COOKIE JAR US $19.99
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 Soccer Ball Lunch Box Blue Ice- Ice Packs- 6 pks. US $4.50
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 Brazilian Flag 2 Ply Soccer Ball All Weather Size 5 New US $6.00
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 NEW! ADIDAS ADIPURE 10 MATCH SOCCER BALL US $66.00
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 1 Ball football table Ball foosball soccer ball bola US $.01
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 Kids Line Bear With Soccer Ball Diaper Stacker US $15.00
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 Pro Kick 2 Ply Soccer Ball Official Size Blue And White US $6.00
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 Marbles 1" Shooters (16) Variety ~Soccer Ball~ *LOGO* US $6.75
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 New 3.8" Care Bears Stuffed Soccer Kids Play Ball #1151 US $1.03
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 2010 BOCA JRS JUNIORS TEAM SIGNED SOCCER BALL PROGRAM US $190.00
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 2010 BOCA JRS JUNIORS TEAM SIGNED SOCCER BALL & PROGRAM US $165.00
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 Kick 2 Ply Soccer Ball Official Size Red And White New US $6.00
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 Manchester United Official Soccer Ball Cap Hat - Red US $8.99
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 OUR GENERATION OUTFIT CLOTHES SOCCER GIRL, BALL HTF NEW US $19.99
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 Manchester United Official Soccer Ball Cap Hat - Black US $8.99
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 Silver Soccer Shoe & Soccer Ball Charm fits Pandora US $4.15
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 Vintage 1981 Garfield The Cat Soccer Ball PVC Figure US $.99
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 STERLING SILVER SOCCER BALL DANGLE PENDANT & 16" CHAIN US $5.00
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 KELLOGG'S TONY TIGER SOCCER BALL US $7.00
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 Manchester United Official Soccer Ball Cap Hat - White US $8.99
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 Lot of 36 Soccer Ball Pencils Party Favors US $5.99
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 Nike Wayne Rooney Athletic Soccer Ball New 5 US $15.50
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 SOCCER BALL SAPPHIRE RHINESTONE PENDANT NECKLACE N358 US $.99 |
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 Soccer balls & Stars one pair of shoe laces. US $.99
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 Glass Display Case for Basketball Football Soccer Ball US $79.95
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 New Set of 10 Soccer Training Cones Improve Ball Speed! US $7.99
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 Silver Soccer Ball Shirt Charm fits Pandora Brighton US $3.85
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And a selection of products from Amazon
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Miami Heat LeBron James Dwyane Wade Chris Bosh Sports Poster Print - 22x34 Sale Price: $6.88  |
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Miami Heat LeBron James Dwyane Wade Chris Bosh Sports Poster Print - 22x34 |
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Michael Jordan (Mid-Air Dunk) Sports Poster Print - 36x24 |
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Miami Heat LeBron James Sports Poster Print - 22x34 |
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Inflates tires, rafts, air mattresses and more. Rechargeable from 120V source or 12V car battery. Delivers up to 230 P.S.I. Includes: 120V and 12V rechargers, pressure gauge, universal adapter, inflation needle and nozzle, and replacement 15A fuse. |
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Racor PXR-R Gravity Freestanding X-Rack Sports Storage Rack Sale Price: $74.95 Average Rating:  |
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If you have kids, the sight of basketballs, soccer balls, and baseball bats strewn about the yard or house is probably familiar to you. Use Racor Pro's X-Rack to reclaim a sense of order and tranquility in your home... |
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Score big with this oversized Soccer Player wall sticker. At close to 5ftx4ft feet tall /wide this large graphically-rendered in glorious Black White Peel and Stick applique brings all the action and excitement of soccer right into your room... |
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Lots of Soccer Balls Design Nintendo Wii Nunchuk + Remote Controller Protector Skin Decal Sticker Sale Price: $4.99 |
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Scatch Resistant Skin Sticker protect and personalize your Wii remote and nunchuk. Self-adhesive plastic-coated skins cover both the remote and nunchuk, and they are paper-thin so they do not add any bulk... |
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April 9th, 2010 at 12:29 am
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