Something that you might not have known is that there are five different types of soccer balls to choose from, and the one that you get will depend on your age.
These balls are all useful for different things and at different stages of development, and it is important to make sure that you are using the right one.
In this article, we are going to tell you everything that you need to know about the different soccer ball sizes, to give you a better understanding of which one you would need.
Hopefully, this will make selecting the right ball easier for you, and you can start practicing your soccer skills in no time.
Soccer Ball Sizes Chart
If you are looking for a quick answer when it comes to the right soccer ball sizes for certain ages, then we will leave our handy chart below to help guide you.
Now, you will know exactly what size ball is needed, depending on the age of the person who needs it. If you are looking for more information on this, you can be sure to find it below.
Soccer Ball
Size
Weight
Ages
Size 1
18 to 20 Inches
–
3 and Under
Size 2
20 to 22 Inches
–
3 to 5 Years Old
Size 3
23 to 24 Inches
300 to 320 Grams
5 to 8 Years Old
Size 4
25 to 26 Inches
350 to 390 Grams
8 to 11 Years Old
Size 5
27 to 28 Inches
410 to 450 Grams
12 Years Plus
What Are The Five Soccer Ball Sizes?
If you are looking for some more information about the different soccer ball sizes, this is what we are going to provide you with here. This information is useful for finding out what the different types of balls are good for.
Size 1
The size 1 ball is ideal for those that are aged 3 or under, and it is great for young children that want to kick a ball around to have some fun. The smaller sized ball can also be used to perfect technique, touch, and ball control, as the smaller ball is more difficult to practice with.
They do also make a great collector’s item, as many clubs will sell these small balls with their own crest or logo on them.
Size 2
The size 2 ball is great for those aged between 3 and 5 years old, and it is also mainly used to work on developing skills. As well as the small children that can learn how to play with this ball, many adults will use it to hone their skills and practice new tricks.
Size 3
This type of ball is great for those that are aged between 5 and 8 years old, and it is usually the smallest ball that will ever be used in a proper match. It is slightly heavier than the two other smaller balls, which means that it is more appropriate for its intended age group.
Coaches that are working with children will typically have size 3 balls on hand to help the player to feel more confident and allow them to better develop their skills.
Size 4
This size ball is the second from the largest, and it is great for soccer players that are between the ages of 8 and 11. This medium-sized ball has a size and weight that is much easier to maneuver during practices and matches than a full size ball.
It is not too much smaller than a regulation ball, but it provides the perfect size for developing a player’s skills during practice. This ball is also great for transitioning from a small ball to a normal ball.
Size 5
This is the soccer ball that is used in standard international matches, and it is typically used by those that are ages 12 and over. This is the main sized ball that you would find on a soccer pitch, and due to the fact that they are quite heavy, they should not be used for young children.
Younger children would struggle to control a size 5 ball, and find it more difficult to kick and pass it due to its size.
Why Is The Size And Weight Of A Soccer Ball Important?
The size and weight of a soccer ball is really important to consider as it is important that players feel comfortable and confident with the ball that they are using.
Soccer players will need to practice their skills, and they should always feel capable and in control with the ball they are using. If the ball is too big or too small, it will make it more difficult to improve their skills, and it can also take the fun away from practicing.
While adults will always use a size 5 ball as this is the recommended ball for adults, children may need to use a smaller ball, depending on their age.
Otherwise, they can end up using a ball that is too big for them, which can have a negative impact on their development. You can refer to our size guide chart above to help you to find the right ball size for the intended user.
How To Choose The Right Soccer Ball
As we have previously mentioned, it is really important to choose the right soccer ball, but this can be a challenge if you don’t know what you are looking out for.
There are lots of different brands and variations to choose from, and they all come at different price points, which makes it even more difficult to make a decision.
We are going to leave some helpful things for you to consider below when it comes to choosing the right ball to help make your decision easier.
Size
As you now know, one of the most important things for you to consider is the size of the soccer ball. This will vary depending on the age of the person that the ball is for.
The biggest size ball is size 5, and the smallest size ball is size 1. You can refer to our size guide chart for more help when it comes to choosing the right size.
Outside Construction
The outside layer of the soccer ball is commonly known as the cover, and it is typically made using a synthetic leather, like PU or PVC. The better of these two choices is PU, but you can opt for the latter if you are looking for a cheaper alternative.
Something else to look out for is the panel construction, and the most commonly used is a 32 panel. These types of balls will offer true flight, without the swerve that can sometimes be created when the ball is kicked with force.
The balls that are of the highest quality will have panels that have been hand-stitched, and machine-stitched panels are usually found on middle-quality balls. Some lower end balls will have panels that have been glued or molded, which often makes the ball harder.
Lining
There will be many different layers of lining that can be found between the cover and the bladder, and these help to form the strength of the ball.
There is usually a foam layer in there somewhere to add some softness, and this feature will often make the difference between a high and low quality ball.
Bladder Type
There are two main types of bladders that are used in the construction of soccer balls, which are latex and butyl. Latex bladders will give the ball a better bounce, and they are typically softer.
However, they will naturally lose their air faster than the alternative and will need to be filled on a weekly basis. Butyl bladders are great for air retention, which can last for a couple of weeks, if not longer.
