Footballs Guide

Size Guide

Size 1 - Mini - Infants

Size 2 - Midi 

Size 3 - Under 8s

Size 4 - Ages 8-12

Size 5 - Age 13 and over

Standards:

Recreation - Basic footballs ideal for leisure use

Training - Usually the most durable designed to be put through the most challenging conditions and used more often

Match - Balls that are suitable for use in official matches, they may be given an IMS (International Match Standard) stamp - this is the required grade for many top leagues including the Premier League, Serie A and La Liga. To be IMS, a ball must pass 6 tests:

Test 1 - Consistent circumference - 680-700mm

Test 2 - Permanent roundness - Max. 1.8% off perfect

Test 3A - Uniform rebound at 20°C - 1.25-1.55m over a 2m drop

Test 3B - Uniform rebound at 5°C - Min. 1.15m over a 2m drop

Test 4 - Water absorption - Max. 10% of the original weight

Test 5 - Weight - 410-450g

Test 6 - Minimal pressure loss - Max. 25% after 72hours

The most prestigious license a ball can receive is the FIFA Quality Pro. To receive this stamp a ball must pass these tests:

Circumference - 685-695mm

Roundness - Max. 1.5% off perfect

Consistent rebound at 20°C - 1.35-1.55mm over a 2m drop

Consistent rebound at 5°C - Min. 1.25m over a 2m drop

Weight - 420-445g

Pressure loss - Max. 20% after 72hours

Shape and size retention - the ball is fired over 2000 times at a steel plate at 50km/hr, the ball must then meet a 3 point test:

Increase in circumference - Max. 15mm

Deviation of sphericity - Max. 1.5%

Change of pressure - Max. 0.1bar

 

Special balls:

Indoor - Indoor balls are typically covered in a light felt

Street - Street balls have a tyre-like texture to make them more resilient to use on concrete