WHAT SIZE IS A YOUTH SOCER BALL?
You are wondering how big a youth soccerball is and what size your child needs. It can be difficult to determine the size of the soccer ball that you need for each age group. This guide will help you answer all your questions. There are five sizes of soccer balls, and three of them are for children to use in soccer games. These are the three sizes of youth soccer balls for children to use during live soccer matches.
- Size 5 is for 13-year-olds and older.
- This size 4 youth soccer ball can be used by players aged 8-12 years old.
- This size 3 soccer ball is suitable for children under 8 years old.
YOUTH SOCCER BALL SIZE TAPER
| SIZE | CIRCUMFERENCE | HOW TO USE |
| 1 | Weighing less than 20 inches | Souvenir or decoration |
| 2 | 21-22 Inches | Fine tune foot skills |
| 3 | 23-24 Inches | Practice and games for children under 8 years old |
| 4 | 25-26 Inches | Practice and games for 8-12 year olds |
| 5 | 27-28 Inches | Practice and games for 13+ years |
This article will show you how to determine the size of a soccerball your child should use. The actual dimensions and weights of the youth soccer balls will give you a good idea of their size. There are five sizes of youth soccer balls. Three sizes of soccer balls are actually used in real games. There are three sizes: size 3, size 4 and size 5. This soccer ball size chart is a quick reference. It struck me that soccer ball sizes were described in terms circumference when I was researching this article. Although I have been coaching youth soccer at different levels for more than 23 years, I have not been very involved with the equipment.
KID’S & YOUTH SOCCER BOWL CIRCUMFERENCE
It is not clear to me why soccer ball circumferences can be used to compare sizes, but not diameters. These are the top soccer ball sizes. U-12, for those under 12, is an abbreviation. Below are the sizes of youth soccer balls, their respective age brackets, as well as their weights and circumferences. U-8, U-7 and U-6 are the youth soccer balls. Size 3 refers to toddlers and young kids. It should measure between 23-24 inches in circumference and weigh between 11-12 ounces. Size 3 is the smallest size for actual soccer games. U-9, U-10, and U-11 are the smallest official soccer balls for children aged 8 to 11. Size 4. It measures 25-26 inches in circumference and weighs 11-13 ounces. Size 4 balls are bigger than size 3, and smaller than size 5. ***U-13 and OLDER. When a player reaches the age of 12, they can use the regulation-sized soccer ball size 5. The size 5 soccer ball is the standard size for professional leagues and tournaments around the globe. The circumference is between 27-28 inches, and the weight is between 14-16oz. This is the weight breakdown of how different sizes of soccer balls differ. It is apparent that these three sizes of soccer balls have very similar circumferences. Surprisingly there is a significant difference in how each size of soccer ball behaves. Naturally, higher-performing soccer balls will have a greater price tag. It is crucial that your child plays with the right size ball. The right size youth soccer ball will make your child have more fun and help them improve their soccer skills.
FAQ ABOUT SOCCERBALL SIZES
HOW TO CALCULATE A YOUTH SOCCER BOWL’S DIAMETER
You can find the size of most balls easily on their labels. However, if you are not sure you have it marked, there is a way to check. You can measure the size of your youth soccer ball and determine if it is right for you. It is best to measure the ball’s diameter and then calculate. The simple three step process will allow you to fully inflate the soccer ball of your child. 1. Place the ball on the ground and against a closed door. Then, press a picture frame or other 90-degree angle object against the opposite end of the ball. 2. Measure the distance between the door and the bottom of your picture frame. This measurement is the diameter of your soccerball. 3. To get the circumference, multiply the diameter by 3.14
WHY DOES NEW SOCCER BOLLS LOOK SMALLER THAN USED SOCCER BALLS?
The newer soccer balls are smaller than they really are. The ball’s threads pull against the outer material when it is kicked. The soccer ball will expand slightly if it is hit or kicked repeatedly. It depends on the quality of the soccer ball. Older balls may be 20% larger than new balls. This is not a problem for youth soccer, but technically it may exceed FIFA’s ball specifications. Official soccer tournament regulations require that new ball be used, however, youth soccer players can use older balls in practice.
HOW DO YOU COMPARE A YOUTH SOCCER BALL SIZE WITH OTHER SPORTS BOLLS?
To give you an idea on how the largest of the youths soccer balls compares with the balls from other sports, I grabbed this illustration from www.topendsports.com. As you can see, the closest ball to a size 5 soccerball is a volleyball.
WHAT IS THE RIGHT AIR PRESSURE TO USE FOR A YOUTH SOCCER BOWL?
8.7 PSI (pounds/square inch) is the answer. This is the exact answer to how high your child’s soccer ball should have. This information is taken from the official soccer ball specifications rules. If you need to know the exact pressure, you can use a pressure gauge. I have never used a pressure gauge in nearly 25 years of coaching youth soccer. This is a more practical explanation. Higher pressure will result in the ball’s skin being tighter. The ball will bounce higher and further, making it more difficult to control. The ball will slow down if there is less pressure. However, it is easier to manage. You can inflate soccer balls for children as small as 3 years old according to your needs. The player’s skill, field conditions and even the weather can all influence the air pressure. Learn more about proper soccer ball pressure.
Soccer-for-kids is an Amazon associate and receives a small commission on qualifying purchases. It is completely free. Zero!
WHAT SIZE IS A FUTAL BALL?
Futsal uses a size 4, which is the same size as regular soccer for players aged 8-12 years old. The ball may be made from a different material or filled with foam to give it a lower bounce. Futsal can be played by five players per side, on either indoor or outdoor carpet or Astroturf-type perfectly flat soccer fields. Futsal balls must have a circumference of between 24.6 and 25 inches.
SIZE OF OTHER SPECIALTY SOCCER BOLLS
While we have already covered the dimensions of futsal soccer soccer balls, what about specialty sizes? There are many unique ways to play soccer, in addition to regular soccer on grass.
Beach Soccer Ball
Beach soccer. Official beach soccer balls are a size 5, but they are slightly lighter at 14-15 1/2 ounces. To make it stand out on a sandy field, the ball is often brightly colored.
Indoor Soccer Ball
Indoor soccer. Similar to futsal, indoor soccer’s ball size is 4. It is covered with suede or felt. Indoor soccer balls tend to be more bouncier than futsal. Five vs. five soccer. Seven-vseven soccer is played with slightly different rules than regular soccer. However, it’s still played with standard soccer balls, size 5.
DICK’S SPORTING Goods VIDEO ON BALL SIZES:
This short video by DICKSTM Sporting goods gives you a different perspective on the sizes of youth soccer ball. They skipped size 2 soccer balls. Maybe they don’t sell this size?
Additional Information About SOCCER BALLS and SIZES
- SIZE 3 BOWLS. In all my years of coaching youth soccer, I have never seen any advantage to using smaller soccer balls than a size 3. One time I was the owner of a franchise that focused on kids between 2 and 6. There were hundreds of kids involved every season. Any ball smaller than a size 3 was impossible to control, especially on regular grass surfaces. This is only true for older children with more advanced skills. They can improve their ball skills by learning how to dribble and juggling size 2 balls.
- FIFA BALLS. These soccer balls are usually more expensive than “FIFA Inspected”, so it is worth considering only using them for match play.
- SIZE 4. There are many benefits to a smaller size ball than a size 5. This allows younger players to become more familiar with their skills. If they use a size 5, it may be difficult for U-13 players to practice their ball skills or dribbling technique.
- 8 and UNDER. A size 3 soccer ball works best for children 8 and under. This soccer ball is small in size, measuring 23″-24″, and weighing in at 300-320g. This youth soccer ball is an excellent option as it encourages good ball handling and is well proportioned for most children this age.
- SIZE1 BALLS. The soft cushion size 1 balls are great toys to give toddlers. Because they are easy to hold and throw, toddlers may find it difficult to use their hands. This brings us to the important point.
PROBLEM WITH ALL SIZES OF SOCCER BALLS & YOUNG SOCCER PLAYERS
Children will naturally want to touch a soccer ball with their hands. It is perfectly normal and understandable. You shouldn’t be upset if your preschooler or toddler is using their hands to kick the soccer ball. Fine motor skills are developed much faster by children using their hands than with their feet. You can remind them, but I have found that reading a story called Froggy plays Soccer is a more effective way to get them thinking. It has been used at least once in every soccer season, even when we couldn’t run our sessions outside due to bad weather.
This is a sweet story that children 7 years and younger can enjoy. It is easy to read and well illustrated. To help the children learn faster, I will have them repeat some of the messages from the book loudly each time they come up. You can also say, “And don’t use your hands.” This has been a great way to get the children to use their feet and not their hands on their favorite size soccer ball.
COOL SOCCER BALLS – KIDS
What type of soccer balls are kids most fondly interested in? These are some that will appeal to your children. What about you? What soccer ball would YOU choose if you were playing youth soccer?
