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Soccer Ball Types
While a soccer ball might seem like a standard piece of sports equipment, there’s a remarkable variety of balls on the market. Different brands and companies use different materials and construction methods, and prices can range from twenty dollars to nearly two-hundred. With all the types available, it’s a good idea to understand the multiple qualities and features which distinguish between the different types of balls available.
Some of the key differences include:
- Number of panels: while most soccer balls consist of thirty-two individual pieces, which are sewn together to form the outer covering, some balls use less. The Mitre ISO line, for example, is constructed from 26 panels, which they claim gives the ISO models an “aerodynamic superiority.” At the very least, it gives the balls a striking, unique appearance.
- Panel materials: several soccer ball manufacturers have been working on creating a “softer” covering, which is said to improve a player’s control of the ball. Other companies try to create different tactile experiences. Puma has created a line of balls with “dimpled” coverings, which supposedly reduces drag and creates more lift for “higher and faster shooting speed.”
- Bladder linings: different types of rubber, such as butyl and carbon latex, are utilized in efforts to create greater air retention in the ball’s inner bladder. Similarly, some manufacturers have created high-tech pump devices, such as Spalding’s Infusion line, which comes with a “micro pump” designed to lock in place after inflation to decrease the possibility of air loss.
- Graphics and colors: the traditional soccer ball scheme of alternating black and white panels can still be found, but it’s getting rarer and rarer. Nowadays, balls come adorned with stripes, pictures, logos, and a multitude of stylized colors. Nike has even designed a “Hi-Vis” ball designed to make the ball easier to see during night games (which makes it particularly popular during the winter months). And many companies offer balls that can be customized with the insignias and colors of a particular team, company, or promotion.
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