How to Buy a Soccer BallHow to buy a soccer ball that is safe and lasts more than a season
It is very difficult to judge a ball until you play with it. Higher quality balls will be made with better materials which absorb less moisture, and the seams will be sewn more tightly and evenly. The laws of the game require the ball to be spherical, and made of leather or other suitable material. How do you know if a ball meets these standards?
Balls often bear confusing inscriptions and logos which appear to convey official authority but in fact are generally meaningless. Over 50 of the world's top manufacturers, however, have qualified to display the "FIFA" marks on their balls. (FIFA stands for Federation Internationale de Football Association). If a ball displays a "FIFA approved" or "FIFA inspected" logo you will be guaranteed quality and consistency of the very highest standard.
Specifically, FIFA will test for:
(1)Circumference--must be consistence so that the ball will move predicatably.
(2)Roundness--a slightly uneven seam can change the ball's shape.
(3)Rebound--does the ball bounce consistently.
(4)Weight-All balls must fall into a specified weight category.
(5)Water absorption--this test turns and squeezes the ball in a tank of water 250 times. FIFA inspected balls must not absorb more water than adds 15% to the initial weight of the ball.
(6)Loss of pressure--a ball must retain most of the pressure for a 72 hour period.
FIFA Inspected balls pass the six tests above. Balls which bear the "international matchball standard" are tested to FIFA inspected levels but do not carry the FIFA name nor pay royalties for its use. Balls bearing the "FIFA Approved" mark pass the six tests at a more stringent level and also undergo a seventh test for shape and size retention. In this test the ball is fired 2,000 times against a steel plate at 35 miles per hour. The seams and air valves must be undamaged, and the loss of pressure, or deviation in the ball's circumference and roundness must be minimal.
Lastly, FIFA inspected or approved balls require manufactures not to use child labor. For more info go to www.fifa.com.
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