Choosing a football may seem easy, but paying attention to the details can be the key to achieving better performance when the sports demands are high. You must analyze several factors so that you can decide the type and characteristics of the ball with which you can achieve the best results. We explore them in this post, so you know what to look out for.
Factors to conisder to choose a good football
Size
The first relevant aspect of analyzing and choosing a football is its size. You have to choose the correct size according to the category of football you practice and your own age. The size of a football is represented by three numbers: 3, 4, and 5.
- Number 3: it is the smallest ball size, its weight is around 300 grams, and it has a circumference of about 60 centimeters. This size of the ball is usually used to play futsal, but it is also recommended for children under eight years of age, as with it, they can develop greater control of the ball.
- Number 4: used to play football seven, mainly. Its average circumference is between 64 and 66 centimeters, and it weighs approximately 350 grams. Due to its size, it is also ideal for children between 9 and 12 years of age to play football.
- Number 5: number five is the size of the ball used to play traditional football. It is used by football players over the age of thirteen and adults in professional and amateur matches or competitions. Its weight ranges between 400 and 450 grams, its circumference ranges from 68 to 70 centimeters.
Panels
The balls today usually have 32 panels, 20 of them are hexagonal, and 12 are pentagonal. You can also find balls with a smaller number of panels, but they are not the most recommended.
The balls with a greater number of panels are more spherical, this makes them more stable when kicked. The panels can be sewn by machine or by hand, the latter are of higher quality and durability.
Type of field of use
Depending on the type of exterior material they are made of, there are balls for various surfaces, the most popular being those made for natural grass, which is the type of playing field where professional and amateur football are most practiced. You can also find balls for synthetic grass, dirt, and for hard surfaces such as indoor football fields.
Air chamber
This component of balls is also known as the bladder. Its function is to contain air to ensure that the ball maintains its spherical structure. The inner tube can be made of materials such as rubber, latex, butyl, or a mixture of these materials. However, it is considered that the material that provides the highest quality for its manufacture is latex.
Design type
The classic design of balls is the renowned white ball with black hexagons. However, in recent years a wide variety of designs have been developed that incorporate bright or metallic colors and panels in different shapes.
Ball manufacturers compete to make models based on innovative materials and features. This has generated that there are balls with very varied prices in the market, but with a similar quality to fulfill its objective.
After reading this article, we hope you are more clear about the aspects you should consider and know how to choose a football that suits your needs. Remember that with a good decision you make, you can have great results.
