Wednesday 25 January 2012

Soccer

Soccer Ball Sizes

Size 1: Also known as a Mini-Ball, the size 1 soccer ball does not exceed 17" (43 cm) in circumference. It shares the same design as that of a size 5 ball, including the 32 paneled (12 regular pentagons and 20 regular hexagons). Made mostly out of PVC, it is used for promotional purposes, and also for developing ball-control skills in players (hence known as a skill ball).

Size 2: Size 2 does not exceed 22" (56 cm) in circumference or 10oz (280gm) by weight. It is used for promotional purposes, as training balls for children around 4 years of age, or even by professionals and other individuals for honing their ball-handling skills. Mostly made of synthetic materials, this ball is softer to feel and easy to clean.

Size 3: The size 3 balls are the smallest of the three balls that are meant for official use. Intended for young players below 8 years of age, they contain 32 panels and are made of either synthetic materials like polyurethane or PVC. This ball is used for Olympic Handball, which is similar to soccer, but requires the use of the hands rather than the feet, to handle the ball.

Size 4: A size 4 ball is just smaller than the regulation ball, but with the same material used as the regulation ball. The air pressure to be maintained for the size 4 soccer ball is 0.4 - 0.6 atm at sea level.

Size 5: What used to be an 18 - 26 paneled ball, is now, according to FIFA rules, made of 32 panels. This is the size suitable for use by players above 12 - 13 years. Air pressure is generally mentioned on the ball itself, and is maintained within 0.9 - 1.1 atm at sea level.

The primary method of the selection of a soccer ball is by age. There are three main sizes of soccer balls, and they all have a standard size, weight, and optimum air pressure.

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