| It is widely considered the most popular game | | | | polyurethane construction, while inexpensive |
| on earth. Played by millions of people from | | | | practice balls are more likely to be poly |
| nearly every walk of life, and in nearly | | | | vinyl chloride. |
| every nation, soccer - football or futbol as | | | | |
| it is commonly known beyond the borders of | | | | The way the panels of the soccer ball are |
| the United States - is a sport that can be | | | | stitched together is another indication of |
| played by nearly anyone. Aside from the | | | | the quality of the ball. A high quality ball |
| skills needed to maneuver the ball using your | | | | is going to be hand stitched with polyester |
| body, but not your hands - except for the | | | | cord or Kevlar reinforced polyester. Hand |
| goal keeper - soccer owes much of its | | | | stitching allows the panels to be sewn |
| international appeal to the fact that all you | | | | tighter, which makes for a stronger and |
| need to play is an open space and a single | | | | longer lasting soccer ball. Second-tier |
| ball. | | | | soccer balls are usually stitched as well, |
| | | | but the stitching is done by machine so it |
| The mountains of equipment needed to play | | | | lacks the uncompromising quality that a hand |
| other sports - like tennis, golf, baseball, | | | | stitched ball will possess. Inexpensive balls |
| American football, and so many others - are | | | | are usually not stitched at all, and instead |
| an anathema to the soccer player. It is the | | | | are held together by gluing the panels onto |
| ball, and only the ball, that one needs to | | | | the lining of the ball. |
| play the game. But the soccer ball is not a | | | | |
| generic item; there are many kinds of soccer | | | | Soccer balls come in different sizes as well: |
| balls on the market, and each has its own | | | | Size 3, Size 4, and Size 5. Size 3 balls are |
| characteristics that differentiate it from | | | | the smallest balls and are typically used by |
| the other balls. | | | | players under the age of eight. Size 4 balls |
| | | | are the next size up, and players between the |
| At first glance it is hard to tell one soccer | | | | ages of eight and twelve use this size of |
| ball from another. Usually constructed in the | | | | ball. Size 5 balls are the standard size for |
| same distinctive style, the trademark | | | | adult play and are the standard size balls |
| pentagonal and hexagonal panels make a soccer | | | | for all international play. |
| ball instantly recognizable. However, when | | | | |
| you are trying to tell the difference between | | | | When shopping for a soccer ball it is |
| one ball and another, the first place to | | | | important to have an eye for its size and |
| start is the cover. | | | | construction. If you are unsure that the ball |
| | | | you are considering is of good quality, look |
| In the past, full grain leather was used to | | | | to see if the ball is approved by either FIFA |
| make a top quality soccer ball, but real | | | | or NFHS. FIFA, Fédération |
| leather tends to absorb water easily, and a | | | | Internationale de Football Association, and |
| wet ball is a heavy ball that plays much | | | | NFHS, the National Federation of State High |
| differently than it was intended to play. | | | | School Association, both approve balls that |
| Today, the first quality soccer balls are | | | | meet the strict specifications that are |
| constructed from synthetic leather. Although | | | | outlined by each organization. If you |
| there are many variations of synthetic | | | | purchase a ball that is approved by either |
| leather, they are generally all a derivative | | | | governing body then you are almost assured of |
| of polyurethane or poly vinyl chloride. The | | | | a ball that is of high quality in both |
| best balls - those used in competition and by | | | | construction and performance. |
| professionals - are almost always made of the | | | | |