Cookies help us deliver our services. By using our services, you agree to our use of cookies.
How to choose a football for your team or club
Football is a sport that is enjoyed by players of all ages and abilities, and the right equipment can make all of the difference when it comes to practising skills and optimising performance. The football itself is no different, but with different sizes and materials to choose from it can be overwhelming to choose the correct option for your team or club.
In this detailed guide, we’ll take you through the different football sizes and who they’re made for, alongside the types of footballs available from training balls to match day options. This will ensure that you can pick a football that suits the needs of your team and allow them to play safely and confidently.
How many sizes are there in football?
Whilst you may think there is only one size football, or a couple of different options at most, it may surprise you to learn that there are actually five sizes. To help get to grips with the different sizes, they are labelled in numerical order from smallest to largest and each serves a different purpose. Selecting the right one is critical to ensure that your ball meets the needs of your players, for example, a toddler playing with a full sized football will find it very difficult to improve their skills, and this could be a trip hazard. On the other hand, older players with a ball that is too small will have difficulty when it comes to honing their skills and mastering ball control. To understand which size you need to pick, we can take a look at each of the different sizes:
- Size 1 - Primarily used for toddlers, but can also be used for technical training sessions. Size 1 footballs have a circumference of 45-51cm and a weight of 205g.
- Size 2 - Size two footballs are made for young players of up to five years of age. These footballs have a circumference of 52-56cm and a weight of 210-280g.
- Size 3 - This ball is typically used for the U9 age group and has a circumference of 58-60cm and a weight of 300-320g.
- Size 4 - Perfect for older children, size 4 footballs are used for players up to the age of 14 years. This size football has a circumference of 63-66cm and a weight of 360-390g
- Size 5 - This is the standard size for footballs and is used across all adult games. It has a circumference of 69-71cm and a weight of 410-450g
What size is a Premier League football?
According to the official FA rules, the ball used in the Premier League must be;
- spherical
- made of suitable material
- of a circumference of between 68 cm (27 ins) and 70 cm (28 ins)
- between 410 g (14 oz) and 450 g (16 oz) in weight at the start of the match
- of a pressure equal to 0.6 – 1.1 atmosphere (600 – 1,100g/cm2) at sea level (8.5 lbs/sq in – 15.6 lbs/sq in).
In more simple terms, this means that the ball should be what is known as ‘size 5’, this is the standard size for all adult football games, as well as for older kids aged 14 and above.
What are current footballs made of?
In modern day football, the balls consist of a rubber or latex interior which is padded with leather, synthetic leather, polyurethane or a type of PVC panel. Originally though, they were constructed of animal bladders, until the late 19th century when vulcanised rubber bladders encased in brown leather became the standard.
Plenty of research by companies such as Nike, Adidas and Mitre have been poured into finding the best materials to use for a football to improve bounce, durability, and water resistance which stops the ball getting waterlogged. As a result, we now use much better materials to improve gameplay with a more aerodynamic and functional design.
How do I choose the right football?
Choosing the right football comes down to a number of factors. To choose the size, you’ll need to consider the ages and sizes of your players to pick an appropriately proportioned ball. However, there are a few other considerations to take into account including where you’ll be playing or training, and any club colour schemes you might have. We don’t recommend using your best footballs for training sessions, but reserving them for game days. In this case, you’ll need a couple of ball options.
What are the different types of football?
Naturally, footballs are subject to wear and tear due to repeated impact. This means that eventually the balls will become scuffed and hindered in performance. That is why we do not recommend using premium footballs for training purposes, as by the time the match comes around the ball could be damaged. For further assistance in choosing the right football, we’ve listed the different types and their defining properties below.
Training footballs
This type of football is really useful for honing in on skills, and can be used in both indoor and outdoor training sessions. They will be able to keep up with any training schedule and won’t be easily abraded. Designed to withstand repeated use, our Attack Training Football has a durable design that helps to maintain air pressure and shape, and an internal butyl bladder that keeps the ball airtight. The machine stitched panels are crafted from PU synthetic leather which adds water resistance. It is available in the standard size 5, which makes it suitable for most players aged 14 and up, but we also stock sizes 3 and 4 to cater for younger players.
Pro training footballs
Pro training footballs more closely resemble match day footballs as they are crafted to optimise performance, and are not typically used for beginner training to ensure that they can meet the needs of more advanced players adequately. They can improve performance by offering superior accuracy and power, and have a softer touch and better stitching than their training counterparts. The trade off here is that they’re not as durable because they aren’t intended to be used as frequently. Our Pro Player footballs come in sizes 3-5, and in four colourways to match your team colours. They feature embossed leather panels for a tactile element and consistent touch throughout.
Indoor footballs
Not all training sessions are completed outdoors, especially if the weather isn’t favourable. As such, indoor footballs are the best option as they feature a heavier design to reduce bounce, making the ball easier to control. They also typically have a hardened or felt outer to withstand the laminate surfaces of indoor sports centres.
Equip your players with high-performance footballs from Avec Sport
With three sizes to choose from in both our training footballs and pro player footballs, practising your skills and optimising player performance during sessions is made simple and accessible to clubs and teams of all ages. Even better, we carry a huge selection of pro-level equipment and accessories to help manage your team effectively, such as football carry bags and customisable team kits. If you’re ready to take your club to the next level, explore our impressive range of sporting equipment to keep your players feeling confident through training sessions and competitive games.