Nowadays, most children have glued to their parents’ smartphones or television screens instead of going out and playing with their friends. As a result, they are becoming more lethargic, and these habits are slowing down their physical and cognitive development.
The best way to combat this problem is to introduce your children to sports, particularly soccer. It is a great way to bring discipline and activity to your children’s lives. If you are looking to develop a love for soccer in your kids, you need to start by choosing a soccer ball.
We’ll help you pick out a good soccer ball for your child.
Things To Consider When Choosing A Soccer Ball For Children
Here are some factors that you should consider while choosing a suitable soccer ball for your little one.
Size
Soccer balls come in different sizes, ranging from 1 to 5. These sizes are determined according to your child’s age. Size 1 balls have a circumference of 18-20, and they are suitable for toddlers.
Going up, size three balls measure 23-24, and this is the right soccer ball size for 8 year olds. Finally, size five balls have a circumference of 27-28 and are suitable for ages 12 onwards.
In the event that you are not sure which size suits your child best, you can always consult your school or a nearby football club to find out what size you should get.
Covering
The covering of the soccer ball you choose is also important. The cover refers to the outer layer of the soccer ball, and it is made out of synthetic leather, which is developed from polyurethane (PU) or polyvinyl chloride (PVC). PU-covered balls are of a higher quality than PVC-covered balls, which are mostly used for training purposes.
An additional aspect of covering that is significant is the panel construction, which refers to how many panels are stitched together to form the ball. In general, soccer balls have a 32-panel design, and they have a higher degree of flight and swerve than 18-panel balls or 26-panel balls.
The higher-quality balls have hand-stitched panels, whereas mid-quality balls are machine-stitched. Lastly, training balls are usually glued together, meaning they don’t last as long.
Lining
When looking for a good soccer ball, check how many layers of lining it has. For children, you should consider getting a soccer ball with a soft foam lining so that they don’t get hurt by it. Softer soccer balls are also long-lasting and of better quality, thus making them better for your little ones.
Bladder Type
As you probably know, the bladder is the part inside the soccer ball that holds the air and keeps the ball stretched. When soccer balls are manufactured, there are two different kinds of bladders that are used: latex and butyl.
As a result of the latex bladders the soccer balls are much softer and they bounce much higher than before. On the other hand, butyl bladders retain air much better than latex bladders.
As a result, it will be necessary to refill the soccer ball with a latex bladder at least once a week, but it would be more suitable for younger children since it is softer.
Standards
When buying a good soccer ball, always look if it is manufactured according to international standards. You can look for the approval logos from the three major agencies:
- National Federation of High School Associations (NFHS): Soccer balls with the NFHS approval can be used for high school competitions in the US, making them safe for use with young kids.
- Fdration Internationale de Football Association (FIFA): Balls endorsed and approved by the football governing body are highly rated, and there are three levels of approval: FIFA Basic, FIFA Quality, and FIFA Quality Pro. Although these are important for FIFA-managed competitions, you can also get them for your children.
- International Matchball Standard (IHS): This is an older standard that the FIFA Basic and Quality standards now replace. However, they might still be suitable for children to play with.
Other Types of Balls
Apart from standard soccer balls, you can also look for other soccer balls for your little ones. These include:
- Beach soccer balls
- Futsal balls
- Indoor soccer balls, etc
Futsal balls are manufactured differently from traditional soccer balls, and they come in sizes ranging from 1 to 4.
Indoor soccer balls are used mostly in gyms or indoor stadiums, whereas beach soccer balls are more suited for beach play.
The Final Ball…
This brings us to the end of our guide on choosing a good soccer ball for your child. Make sure to consider all the factors that we have mentioned above. They will help you choose the perfect soccer ball that will spark their interest and get them to play outdoors more frequently.
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