Whether you will be playing with friends, coaching a team, or starting in a big league, you may be curious to know what the official soccer ball regulations are. The official size of a soccer ball is actually pretty easy to find, so playing with the right kind isn’t all that challenging.
You may not need to have the exact size and weight, etc. when playing with friends at the park but if you hope to play competitively in leagues, whether beginner leagues or more professional ones, you could benefit from knowing what kind of ball you should be using. Also, getting used to playing with the ball that you’re supposed to be playing with while playing with friends will ensure that you’re comfortable with the size and weight when playing competitively.
Regulations For Your Soccer Ball
The following are the regulations that you’ll want to pay attention to if you want to make sure you’re playing with an official soccer ball. Keep in mind that different leagues and age groups require variations, but this should help to get you started understanding what to look for:
- The ball cannot be of a larger circumference of 70 cm and no less than 68 cm.
- It may not have more than 450g of weight and can’t be lighter than 410g.
- The pressure has to be at 0.6 -1.1 atmosphere.
- It obviously has to be spherical.
- Diameter needs to be between 22 to 23 cm.
- The radius should be at 11 to 11.5 cm.
- Size 5 is the official size of the ball used in FIFA and will have the circumference and weight, etc., mentioned above.
- It should be made from leather, synthetic material, or some other type of approved material. Obviously, you don’t want to play with a ball that has any kind of construction that could cause harm on the field.
- You cannot keep playing a match with a burst or defective ball, so this is one reason why having multiple balls is a good idea for any match. In fact, when the ball pops, you will have to stop the game, replace the new ball in the same area where the ball burst or where the game was stopped. If it pops during a corner kick, etc., then you’ll just restart that part of the game.
- If this happens during a match, the referee will have to approve the change of ball for the game. Make sure that your replacement ball is up to standard.
Tips on Finding the Right Ball
As you start looking for the ball for your games or to use in your league, pay close attention to the type of ball you’ll be buying. Things to look for are the following:
- If you find a ball that says it’s FIFA approved, you can be pretty sure that you’ll be buying a ball that suits the official regulations. Again, make sure to check the standards for the specific league that you play in.
- What type of soccer are you playing? If you’re playing beach soccer, you’re going to need a different kind than the one that you would use on artificial turf or a grassy field. Leather is almost always a good idea, as it is a strong material that will stand up to plenty of use. Just be aware that it may not be the best option for when you’re playing beach volleyball.
- Look for top brands. It’s not that name brands always promise quality, but when it comes to soccer balls, a lot of them do. You’ll still need to pay attention to detail when looking for a ball that can pass regulations but for the most part, recognized brand soccer balls are going to be constructed better than a cheap knock-off from who knows where.
Final Thoughts
Unless you plan to play as a professional or in a big league, you may be just fine with your regular soccer ball. You’ll want to pay attention to local regulations in the specific league that you may play in. For example, if you play college soccer, NCAA rules are important to consider. Always make sure that you are investing in a ball that is built to last and promises durability.
