A complete buyer's guide to footballs

No matter if you’re training or gearing up for a big match, it’s essential that you have the right equipment to help support your football journey and optimise your performance. A football is no different from any other piece of equipment, with a variety of materials and sizes available you’ll want to make sure that you’re picking the right option for you and your training.

In our guide, we’re going to take you through all the different types of footballs and their uses as well as what options are available here at Avec Sport to help you find the perfect fit for your training and match day needs.

How to choose the right football?

Every player will have different preferences for what football works best for them, depending on goals, age, and terrain. Younger children will need a smaller-sized football, such as a size 1 or 2, whereas an adult would need a standard size 5 football.

Even the weight of the football can make a huge difference as those playing on sandy terrain will need a lighter ball than those playing on grass. You may also want to consider your team's colours as well when choosing the right football for you. So before making any purchases you first need to ask yourself what exactly it is that you’re looking for when you come to purchase the right football for your training. 

If you want to know more information about what size football would be the best for you then you can read our full guide to football sizes.

What are the different types of football?

When you hear the word “football”, the first thing you probably think about is a standard, size 5 match ball. These are the same balls we see being used in the premier league matches, Sunday leagues and more. However, that’s just one of the many different types of footballs you can buy for your training and matches. 

There’s a wide range of different footballs made to suit various occasions and circumstances. From different environments to the players - there’s a football to suit every need. Some of the different types of footballs can include:

  • Training footballs - As the name suggests, these footballs are used for training. They are also good for a general kickabout as they tend to be cheaper and slightly stiffer compared to premium match footballs.
  • Match footballs - These are the footballs you see used in official matches and games. They are slightly softer and contain better stitching than training footballs.  
  • Indoor footballs - These footballs are solely used for indoor use, such as leisure centres and football facilities. Indoor footballs are slightly heavier to reduce bounce, so they’re safer when they hit off walls.
  • Mini footballs -  Mini footballs are great for both toddlers who would struggle with the standard size and adults who are looking to improve their close control, the smaller ball will mean you will have to focus on a touch more than normal - which makes for great training.

What are the best footballs to buy?

The best football for your team will depend on the factors mentioned above. However, here at Avec Sport, we host a wide range of footballs in all sizes to help you find the right one for your needs. From supporting your U9 team to finding an all-around standard football that can flexibly keep up with your training.

Best football for U9 & U10

A standard size 5 football would be a bit too big for kids in the U9 and U10 range. In this case, they’ll need something a bit more suited to their size. Our size three orange pro player football is perfect for kids around this age range. It has a circumference of 58-60cm and a weight of 300-320g, making it both smaller and lighter than a regular football so the U9 & U10 teams don’t feel intimidated by the ball during their training. 

 

 

PRO PLAYER FOOTBALL - TANGERINE £8.95

If you’d like to learn more about U9 & U10 football to get a better idea of how many footballs you might need and the different sizes required, then you can read our full blog on U9 & U10 Football: 7-a-Side Football Rules for more information about what to expect at these games.

Best football for U11-U14

As your footballers grow, keeping them on a size 3 football would hold them back from developing their skills as the ball will be too light and small now that they’re faster and have a stronger kick. To help keep them on track they’ll need something that will offer them more of a challenge with more weight. 

For this, our light blue pro player ball in size 4 is the perfect option for those training in U11-U14. It’s great for older children and can be used up until the age of 14. It has a circumference of 63-66cm and a weight of 360-390g making it slightly bigger and heavier than the size 3 footballs - it’s enough to provide more of a challenge to older children but not so much that it will hinder them.

 

 

PRO PLAYER FOOTBALL - HYPER BLUE £8.95

Best standard football

A size 5 football is used across all adult games and is known as the “standard” football. It has a circumference of 69-71cm and a weight of 410-450g. It’s bigger and heavier than a size 4 and will offer optimal training for adults. Our yellow size 5 pro player footballs are perfect for adult football training. They’re a great match ball option for those looking for a premium football with strong stitching for all of those important matches.

 

 

PRO PLAYER FOOTBALL - NEON YELLOW £8.95

FAQs

If you’re still unsure about which football will be the best for you and your team or you’ve still got questions about our footballs, then below we have included all of the most asked questions to help you make an informed decision.

What are our footballs made from?

Our footballs are made using reinforced rubber and a textured casing to help improve bounce, durability and water resistance for the best playing experience possible. However, other footballs may use different materials such as latex interior which is padded with leather, synthetic leather, and polyurethane.

Why does having a good quality football matter in training?

The quality of your kit is at the heart of your performance and it’s no different for a football. You will need a football that will meet the demands of rigorous play and training. A football can affect your control, accuracy and overall performance, so if you’re practising your skills in training or gearing up for a big game, having the right football can help you take home the trophy.  

What if I need multiple footballs for my team?

Whether you’re doing a group training session and want to make sure your whole team is covered or you want to buy multiple footballs for your own training so you can be equipped for every circumstance, here at Avec Sport we offer multi-ball discounts across all ball sizes so when the job calls for a bigger purchase you don’t have to worry about going over budget. You can also get a free football carrier for every 36 footballs purchased for functional carrying and storage.

Can these footballs be used for training sessions and football matches?

Our footballs can be used for both training and match days as the reinforced rubber will ensure long-lasting durability and are a reliable choice for any team with their enhanced grip and control.

Find the perfect football for your training with Avec Sport

Having the right football will help you focus on specific skills, and cater to your size and needs. It will elevate your training and your performance on the pitch so it’s essential to your goals to have the right football. Here at Avec Sport, we have a range of training footballs to help you practise your skills and reach your goals faster than ever. You can also read our blog on our Avec pro player football range to find out more about our premium footballs.