Games that look like modern football have been known since ancient times. Their rules, of course, were different. But there is a common feature - they always played with a round sphere. Only before it was inflated pork bladders, after they were replaced by rubber and leather. Today football shells are made from synthetics.

Games that look like football appeared before our era. For example, it is known that the Chinese used round spheres for entertainment, which were driven into a net stretched between two poles. This fun was called "Tsu Chu". According to other historical chronicles, the ancient Romans and Greeks liked to kick balls with their feet. However, the rules were different everywhere. For example, in one case it was necessary to bring the sphere to a neighboring village, and almost all the inhabitants of the village participated in the game.

Most often, pork bladders were used as a sports equipment, which were inflated to the desired size, and then sheathed with leather for reliability.

The birth of the soccer ball

Then came the rubber. It happened in 1836. The inventor of the new material was Charles Goodyear, and 20 years later he designed the first rubber soccer ball. This item can still be seen in the American Football Hall of Fame.

Parallel to this, another inventor, Lyndon, figured out how to create an inflatable rubber bladder that could withstand kicks. True, it took about 15 more years for a single standard for soccer balls to appear. In 1872, the English Football Association ruled that the sphere for the game should be with a circumference of 70 centimeters and weigh approximately 15 ounces. This standard has not changed for almost 150 years.

After the Second World War, soccer balls were transformed again. A special gasket appeared between the leather coating and the rubber chamber. This made the sphere more durable. In addition, it was possible to achieve a more correct shape of the balls. By the way, until that time it was possible only white. But it was in the 50s of the last century that it was decided to make them multi-colored. This made the balls more visible on the turf, making it easier for spectators to watch the match.

Modern soccer balls

Since the 1960s, standard leather balls have been replaced with synthetic ones. At about the same time, the classic appearance of a football projectile appeared, which is now familiar to every boy in every corner of the planet. This skin is called "Buckminster's Ball", or simply "Buckyball". This ball is a sphere consisting of a certain number of hexagons and pentagons linked together. Together, they form an ideal circle, the shape is additionally reinforced by pumped air. The hexagons are white and the pentagons black. Everyone today has this product on their counter.

By the way, Richard Buckminster himself has never been a fan of this sport. He had no intention of inventing the soccer ball. By profession, this man was a builder and architect. Buckminster simply came up with new forms in the construction of buildings, but this is the design that turned out.

Today, a special ball is made for every major tournament, for example, the World and European Championships. It is even given a name. Every time, scientists try to come up with something new - to reduce weight, make the projectile faster, and so on. The only negative is that these innovations work in the hands of the attackers, and, accordingly, the fans. But goalkeepers are not always happy with new products. Catching the soccer ball is getting harder and harder.

2015-06-11 10:05:00 +0300

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History states that football, or something similar, has been known to mankind since the 3rd century BC. Even then, our ancestors loved to drive the ball, perhaps they called it differently. And the first information about the game of people with the ball came from ancient China. The first balls were leather bags stuffed with feathers or wool. They tried to push him into a wall of bamboo poles 10 meters high.

The ancient Romans had to amuse themselves with the so-called Harpastum game. Their ball was small, but quite heavy because it was filled with sand. The Mexican Aztecs had their own game, in which a stone wrapped in rubberized material served as a ball. Imagine what it was like for players to hit such a projectile ... But the ancient Vikings did not stand on ceremony at all with the choice of a flying and bouncing object - the heads of defeated enemies served for this.
It was later discovered that the pork bladder has an excellent rebound. This discovery quickly spread among fans to hit the ball. Although it is still unknown how such bubbles were inflated, a primitive pump was presumably used for this.

The Middle Ages especially excelled in ingenuity. For the ball, any material was used that was convenient to kick with the foot. But leather containers for wine were especially often used.
Each ball game had a cruel, and even aggressive character, because almost always the game ended with a ball breaking. So that this does not interfere with the continuation of the game, a leather shell was invented for the ball. The main goal of the game at that time was not to let the ball fall to the ground, it was necessary to keep it in the air as long as possible.

Those who are fond of the history of football may be lucky enough to see the oldest ball available today on earth. He is 450 years old, and he was found in 1999 in Scotland at Stirling Castle. This is exactly what a leather-wrapped pig bladder ball looked like. These first balls were of different sizes and mostly even different shapes, which depended on the shape of the bubble. The asymmetry of the balls made the game unpredictable, as it was difficult to predict which direction the ball would take.

The production of rubber balls began in 1855, after Charles Goodyear patented vulcanized rubber in 1836 and covered the bladder with it.
Richard Lyndon is famous for inventing the first rubber tube for a ball. This chamber was almost impossible to fill with air, so he attached a kind of valve to it, through which air was pumped. It was this invention of Lyndon that was awarded a medal at the London Exhibition. Since that time, mass production of round balls began.

The first companies to mass-produce balls were Mitre and Thomlinson's of Glasgow. They sewed balls for the Football League of England, formed in 1888.

Companies made balls from the highest quality skins, which were taken from the rump of cow carcasses, and the skin from the shoulder blade, considered not as high quality, was used to make lower quality balls.

In 1872, the official size and weight of the ball was established - according to the rules, the ball should be round in shape with a volume of 27-28 inches (68.6 cm-71.7 cm), weight - 368-425 g. Already in 1937, the weight of the ball was increased up to 410-450

To this day, the weight of the ball remains stable, but the materials used for manufacturing have often changed over the past time.

The 20th century, famous for its huge number of scientific discoveries, contributed to a significant improvement in the quality of soccer balls. Most importantly, there was a change in the chamber, which could now withstand strong pressure. The outer shell of the ball was made of tanned leather and consisted of 18 sections (count - six groups of three stripes). To connect the sections to each other, the outer shell was turned inside out and stitched with a five-layer hemp rope. At first, the chamber was so arranged that it could not hold air for a long time, so quite often the ball had to be pumped up even during the game.

These balls perfectly withstood strong kicks, but it was dangerous to hit them with the head, since the seams were heavy, and the material, especially during wet weather, easily absorbed moisture, which made it very heavy.

The further evolution of the ball falls on the period of the Second World War. Between the camera and the tire, a gasket made of dense matter was added. This improvement helped the ball to keep its shape better. For water absorption began to use synthetic and non-porous materials. And a new type of valve made it possible to forget about the inconvenient lace-up hole in the ball.

But still the quality of the leather for the ball was not durable enough. There were cases when the ball was torn right during a football match. This happened, for example, in the FA Cup final in 1946 and 1947: the bursting ball had to be changed during the match.

For a very long time, leather balls dominated the football fields, and only in the 80s, synthetics completely replaced the leather.

Messi with the ball

Today we are all familiar with the modern design of the Buckminster ball: it consists of 20 six- and 12 pentagons stacked together to give the ball a perfect round shape.

A gymnastic ball or, as it is also called, a fitball (from the English "fit" - recovery, "ball" - ball) is a relatively young invention that began its history in the middle of the last century. Who invented the gymnastic ball?

The idea of ​​​​creating a large, durable ball for games first came up with the co-owner of the Italian company LEDRAGOMMA, Aquilino Cosani, in 1963. The technology of polyvinyl chloride casting improved by him made it possible to cast very strong, puncture-resistant large balls. So in the assortment of the company, which was engaged in the production of plastic products, including children's toys, appeared "PON PON" - a large inflatable bouncing ball with a solid handle for hands.

At the very beginning of the 80s of the last century, Aquilino Kosani made structural changes to his invention, which for the most part concerned the handle of the bouncing ball. In the company's new product, called "HOP" (from the English "jump, jump"), the handle was made of soft vinyl, which made the ball safer to use.

Over time, the LEDRAGOMMA catalog was replenished with large inflatable balls without handles, which became commonly known as "Pezzi balls" (Pezzi balls). In 1968, Aquilino Cosani received an Italian patent for the production of a "bouncing ball", in 1971 he became the owner of an American patent for his invention.

Subsequently, the name of the company "LEDRAGOMMA" was changed to "Ledraplastic". Currently, Ledraplastic is a well-established European manufacturer of toys and fitness products, including gymnastic balls of various diameters and configurations.

If we have to thank the Italians for the idea of ​​creating a gymnastic ball, then for its active implementation in life as a simulator and sports equipment, gratitude should be addressed to Switzerland. It was there that British physiotherapist Mary Quinton first began using Pezzi ball exercises in newborn programs. Her experience contributed to the spread of "Swiss balls" ("Swiss Ball" is one of the names attached to gymnastic balls) in the UK.

The director and founder of the physiotherapy school in Basel, the Swiss doctor Susan Klein-Vogelbach, actively contributed to the popularization of fitballs. In the 60s of the XX century, she included fitball exercises in a set of exercises for patients with orthopedic and neurological problems, officially substantiating their effectiveness in rehabilitation medicine.

During a 1989 exchange of experience visit by American therapists to Switzerland, US physiotherapist Joanne Posner-Mayer became so interested in using exercise balls for rehabilitation that she pioneered the field in the United States.

In 1996, in Italy, in the homeland of the "bouncing ball", the first international seminar on fitball was held. Now gymnastic balls are actively used for group and individual training, for classes with pregnant women, for doing gymnastics with kids.

In modern stores, various modifications of gymnastic balls are presented: with and without handles, smooth and needle-shaped. We will talk about how to choose a gymnastic ball in one of our next articles.

Football projectiles in ancient times Our ancestors were very fond of playing various spherical objects for fun. The most ancient balls came to us from Egypt (2000 BC). They were made of wood, leather and even papyrus.
It is known, for example, that South American Indians used light elastic sphere as a sports equipment. Tachtley players, captured in 1529 by the artist Christopher Weiditz traveling with Cortés. This is how the artist himself described this game: “The Indians have a game of an air-filled ball. They hit it with the back of their body without taking their hands off the ground. The Indians wear leather gloves, and that part of the body with which they hit the ball is protected leather straps."
According to historical references and legends, early balls were made from human heads wrapped in animal skin or the bladders of pigs and cows.
During the Tsin and Han dynasties (255 BC-220 AD), the Chinese enjoyed the game of "Tsu Chu" in which balls of animal origin were driven into a net stretched between two poles. Some ancient Egyptian rituals are said to have similarities with football. The ancient Greeks and Romans also had a game, the essence of which was to kick the ball and carry the leather sphere.
The legends say that a whole village could lead one shell-skull to the square to the neighboring village. In turn, the opposing side tried to bring the game element to the opponent's square.
According to the medieval tradition, people took pig bladders and tried to inflate them to the size necessary for the game. With the help of legs and arms, they tried to keep the ball in the air.
Over time, the bubbles began to be covered with leather to give them the correct shape and durability.
A ball made about 450 years ago. It is believed that in the 16th century the soccer ball belonged to the Scottish Queen Mary. The chamber of the ancient ball is made from a pig's bladder. From above, it is covered with sewn pieces of thick, possibly deerskin, skin. This ball is kept in the Stirling Smith Museum in Scotland.

Balls of the nineteenth century

In 1836, Charles Goodyear patented vulcanized rubber. Prior to this, the balls were very dependent on the size and shape of pig bladders. Due to the instability of animal tissue, it was very difficult to predict the behavior of the projectile during impact. It wasn't until the twentieth century that most balls were made using rubber.
In 1855, the same Goodyear designed the first rubber soccer ball. It is still kept in the National Football Hall of Fame, which is located in Oneonta (New York, USA).
In 1862, inventor Lyndon developed one of the first inflatable rubber bladders. He was well aware of the disadvantages of pig bladder balls. His goal was to create an inflatable rubber bladder that wouldn't explode with every kick. Rubber chambers provided the balls with shape and density. Lyndon even claimed to have invented rugby, but did not patent the idea in time. In those days, a round ball was preferred for playing with the feet, while an oval ball was easier to handle with the hands.
In 1863, the newly formed English Football Association met to develop and generalize the rules of a new game - football. At the first meeting, no one proposed standards for soccer balls.
But in 1872, an agreement was reached that the football ball "should be spherical with a circumference of 27-28 inches" (68.6-71.1 cm). This standard has not changed for more than a hundred years and remains in today's FIFA rules. The Encyclopedia of Football (1956 English Edition) states: “According to football rules, the ball must be spherical with an outer covering of leather or other approved materials. The circumference must not be less than 27 inches, but not more than 28 inches, and the weight of the ball at the beginning of the game must not be less than 14 ounces and more than 16 ounces.

Twentieth century balls...

In 1900, even more durable rubber chambers were created. They could withstand intense pressure. All professional balls by that time were created on the basis of rubber chambers. They were covered with rough brown, and later white skin. Most of the leather spheres were covered in eighteen sections (six groups of three stripes) and resembled modern laced volleyballs. The uninflated chamber was inserted into a previously prepared incision. They left a hole for the subsequent inflation of the ball using a special tube. After that, I had to lace up the cover.
These balls held kicks well, but had a number of drawbacks - the labor-intensive stitching process and the water-absorbing features of the leather. When it rained, the skin swelled, the ball became very heavy and dangerous. There were other problems - it was impossible to make a universal skin of animal origin. During only one match, the quality of the balls could deteriorate greatly, the quality of the game itself fell.
The soccer ball may even have played a role in the events of the first World Cup in 1930. Argentina and Uruguay could not agree on the ball of what production they will play. The teams originally got out of the situation. The Argentine ball was used in the first half of the match and the Uruguayan ball was used in the second. In the first half, Argentina (with their own ball) led 2-1. However, Uruguay managed to create a miracle in the second half, beating opponents with a score of 4-2. It is possible that their native ball helped them to become the winners of the World Championship!
After World War II, a gasket appeared between the chamber and the outer cover. The sphere has become more durable, and the shape of the structure has become more correct. But the skin was still often torn due to the poor quality of the leather coverings.
In 1951, a solid white ball was replaced by a projectile with wide colored stripes. They helped the spectators to more confidently navigate the events on the field and follow the ball. By the way, a white coating was unofficially used as early as 1892. The first orange balls also appeared in the 50s. They were designed to help viewers see the sphere during heavy snowfall.
A fully synthetic ball was only produced in the early 60s. But only in the late 80s, synthetics completely replaced the leather coating. Conservatives and skeptics have argued that leather balls provide flight control and more. swipe. The synthetic coating of today's balls completely copies the structure of the leather cell. Synthetics also have advantages - strength and low water absorption.

White and black ball
Early balls had laces. Later game shells were made from patches sewn into a single piece. The design of the new ball was based on the design of the Buckminster Ball, better known as the Buckyball. American architect Richard Buckminster did not even think about football. He was just trying to come up with new ways to build buildings using a minimum of materials. And it turned out to be an ingenious structure that any fan knows today. 32 pieces: 12 of them are black pentagons, 20 are white hexagons. The design of these 32 polygons is called a truncated icosahedron, only the ball is more spherical due to the pressure of the air pumped in. The first such ball was produced in Denmark in 1950 by the company Select and became widespread in Europe. It began to be used worldwide after the 1970 World Cup, on which there were such balls produced by Adidas.

Official balls of the championships
The Adidas "Telstar" ball was the first "official" ball in the 1970 World Cup in Mexico. Now, for every big match, a new unique soccer ball is designed.
"Telstar" Mexico-1970;

The Telstar leather ball was hand-sewn from 32 elements - 12 pentagonal and 20 hexagonal panels - and became the most round ball of those years. His design has gone down in football history forever. A white ball adorned with black pentagons - Telstar (Star of Television, "TV Star") is much more visible on a black and white screen. This ball became the prototype of subsequent generations.
"Telstar" Durlast - Germany 1974;

In the World Cup in Germany in 1974, two balls "participated". For the Telstar ball, this was already the second appearance, only the logo was no longer gold, but black. adidas also introduced a white version of the ball, the adidas Chile, in honor of the all-white 1962 Cup ball in Chile. From Telstar 1970, they differed only in design, materials and technologies remained the same.
"Tango Riverplate" - Argentina 1978;

In 1978, the adidas Tango was introduced to the world - a model that later became a "design classic". Although the ball was sewn from the same 32 panels, the pattern of 20 identical triads gave the impression of 12 circles encircling the ball. The design of the official balls of the next five FIFA championships was based on this idea. Tango also had better weather resistance.
"Tango Espana" - Spain 1982;

In 1982, the design of the 1978 Tango did not change much. But the technological changes Tango Espana were more significant. The ball was still sewn from leather, but the seams were taped and made waterproof. This significantly increased wear resistance and reduced the water absorption of the ball, and therefore minimized weight gain in wet weather.
"Azteca" - Mexico 1986;

It is the first official FIFA ball made from synthetic materials. As a result, its service life has been significantly increased, and the degree of water absorption has decreased. The Azteca had excellent performance on hard surfaces, in high altitude conditions and in wet conditions, which was a significant improvement. The triads that girded this ball were decorated with Aztec ornaments.
"Etrvsco" - Italy 1990;

When creating the adidas Etrusco Unico, only synthetic materials were used. The Etrusco Unico was the first ball to feature an inner layer of polyurethane foam, making the ball livelier, faster and completely waterproof. The name and design capture the influence of the ancient history of Italy and the cultural heritage of the Etruscans. Three heads of Etruscan lions adorn each of the 20 triads.
"Questra" - USA 1994;

The official ball of the 1994 championship is the epitome of high technology. The use of an internal energy-returning layer of polyurethane foam allowed the ball to become softer (that is, more obedient) and much faster. Inspired by space technology and the American quest for the stars (Quest for the Stars, hence the name), Questra has set new standards.
"Tricolore" - France 1998;

The first multi-color official ball of the championship. The French flag and the tail of the rooster, the traditional symbol of France and the French Football Federation, are reflected in the name and design. The adidas Tricolore used a layer of synthetic foam with a regular matrix of durable gas-filled microcells. This structure provided durability and good tactile contact with the ball.
"Fevernova" - Japan and Korea 2002

This is the first official ball that differed in design from the traditional 1978 Tango ball. The pattern and colors of Fevernova are inspired by the culture of the Far East. A special synthetic foam layer improved the performance of the ball, while a three-layer woven carcass provided more accuracy and predictability of the flight path.
"Teamgeist" - Germany 2006

For the first time in 36 years, adidas has stepped back from the classic 32-panel design. In 2006, Adidas introduced the brand new +Teamgeist ball, made up of "propellers" and "turbines". The heat-bonded frame and panels provide water resistance and a smoother surface for better hitting performance. The picture is made in black and white - the traditional colors of the German team, with a gold border - the symbol of the World Cup, and covered with a transparent protective layer.

In 2008, Adidas released a new "Europass" ball, which differs from the "+Teamgeist" in a "goosebump" finish.
Today, many companies have released new high-tech materials and designs for balls. Development goes in the direction of creating an ideal projectile, with an ideal trajectory, accuracy and flight speed, with an ideally low water absorption, with an ideal distribution of energy, with an ideal safety. But the creators in pursuit of leadership should not forget about the FIFA standards.

The new balls of the "Roteiro" Adidas type are created using the most modern technologies and materials. The ball was specially created for the 2004 European Championship in Portugal. From modern Portuguese, the name "Roteiro" is translated as "guide, route." The ball caused a lot of controversy between players and goalkeepers, between supporters of the development of football and conservatives. Indeed, the ball is ideal for field players - light, comfortable. But for goalkeepers, it has become a real nightmare because of the unpredictability of the flight path.

Production of soccer balls

How the Europass ball was made
And here is how the Europass ball, which was played at Euro 2008, is made. It is produced in China at the Adidas factory.
Detail of the ball type "turbine".

And this is another detail - the "propeller".

Frame with latex chamber not yet inserted inside.

Finished frames with cameras inside.

Impregnation of the frame with latex.

The frames are sent to the dryer where the latex is vulcanized.

Applying glue to parts.

Actually, pasting the frame (thermoglue) and forming the ball.

Almost finished ball.

One of the most important parameters is the mass of the ball. According to FIFA requirements, it should be from 420 to 445 g. The adidas developers, in their own words, prefer to make balls with a mass closer to the upper limit (the heavier the ball, the more accurate it is).

Ball circumference test (measured along several perimeters). The measurement principle is very simple - a flexible steel band covers the ball, its length is measured (automatically). Measurements are made several times, between them the ball is rotated at a certain angle.

And this machine is very familiar to all motorists who have ever seen a balancing machine in a tire shop. This device checks the balance of the ball. If its weight distribution is uneven, it will be difficult to predict the trajectory upon impact. But it is impossible to completely balance the ball - it is not absolutely symmetrical. For example, there is a nipple. To reduce the imbalance, an additional seam in the form of a spiral is made on the diametrically opposite side of the frame - the mass of this seam balances the mass of the valve.
Balancing

This setup measures the diameter of the ball in several positions, after which it can be inferred from these data how close the ball is in shape to a perfect sphere.

And, finally, one of the most interesting tests is the roboleg. Boots, fixed on her "foot", is able to develop a maximum speed of 150 km / h. The ball, on impact, travels 1.6 times faster than the speed of the boot, so the maximum speed of the ball is approximately 240 km/h. Real hitting ceiling professional football players- about 100 km / h (ball, respectively, 160 km / h). In this rig, adidas engineers demonstrate how different the behavior of the new PSC-textured Europass ball is from the previous official +Teamgeist ball, which had a smooth surface. While the balls are dry, both hit the "nine" (upper corner of the goal) with an "oblique" impact. But it's worth spraying a "smooth" ball (and on a boot) with water from a spray bottle - and the ball goes past the gate. A textured ball - again confidently hits the "nine". At the same stand, by the way, you can also test boots.

Of course, these are not all the tests that the ball is subjected to. The balls are tested for abrasion resistance. Several balls are placed inside the drum, the inner surface of which is pasted over with sandpaper, several liters of water are poured in, turned on and twisted for a certain time (several hours). Then they take it out and look at how much the surface, drawing, etc. has been preserved. In this way, even tougher abrasion conditions are simulated than in a real match. Check the ball for its ability to absorb water in wet weather. It is placed in a special trough, where some water is poured, after which a special installation turns and “presses down” the ball 300 times (see our video blog). The ball is then weighed. The difference in mass between a "dry" and "wet" ball, according to FIFA standards, should not exceed 10%. "But because adidas uses heat seals, not seams, the ball is almost watertight," says Tim Lucas, "so this is typically less than 1-2% for Europass." There are also tests for rebound (the ball is thrown from a two-meter height and the height of the rebound is measured, and, interestingly, with the help of an acoustic sensor - that is, they actually detect the time between the ball's jumps, and then recalculate it to the rebound height), for pressure loss and to maintain shape after 3500 hits against a wall at a speed of 50 km / h (this test, of course, is automated - a special mechanical "gun" shoots the ball against the wall for about 4 hours). Undoubtedly, a modern ball is a rather complex and technically perfect product of high sports technologies.

Quality and parameters of a soccer ball

Football is a popular game that has a lot of fans and fans all over the world. To realize the desire to become a football player - amateurs and professionals, acquire a soccer ball. Many people love to play football, of any age, gender, social class or nationality. After all, this game brings together, unites and gives a huge amount of emotions.

This is an important attribute of playing football familiar from childhood. It is not to be confused with any other sport. However, even an avid football fan does not know the answer to the question about the main parameters of this sports equipment: size soccer ball- an important point in his choice. For purposes, balls of a certain size are purchased. The weight of the soccer ball is also important. The ball for playing football is chosen according to the type of surface on the playing field - grass, soft or hard artificial turf, gravel, asphalt, sand or floor in the gym. There are other requirements for a soccer ball. The ideal ball is spherical, elastic, and of the appropriate size and weight.

Excursion into history

At the beginning of the appearance of the game, the bladder of an animal was used to make a soccer ball. However, it could not be used for a long time, because due to the impact on it, such a first soccer ball became unusable. Ball manufacturing technology has undergone significant changes since the discovery of vulcanized rubber, which occurred in 1838. Years later, in 1855, American inventor Charles Goodyear introduced the first rubber ball. It differed from its outdated counterparts in rebound and durability.

Photo 1. A soccer ball consists of black and white pentagons and hexagons so that it can be clearly seen on the grass from the stands.

Seven years later, another inventor - Richard Lindon - created the first rubber inflatable bladder for the ball. Later he managed to develop a pump to the camera. This invention was noted at the London exhibition with a special award. After the discovery of rubber and the invention of the rubber bladder, it became possible to create technical conditions for the mass production of soccer balls.

With the founding of the Football Association of England, which took place in 1863, a unification of the rules of the game is being created. However, at that time there was no mention of the ball in them. Official standards that specified the mass and size of a soccer ball (1872). Until that time, the weight of the soccer ball and other parameters were agreed by the parties before the start of the match.

Photo 2. Charles Goodyear invented the first rubber ball.

After the creation of the Football League in 1888 in England, balls began to be mass-produced as the need for them increased. At the beginning of the twentieth century. they became better - a chamber made of durable rubber coped with pressure. The soccer ball had a tire and an inner tube. The tire material is genuine leather. The tire was a panel sewn together in the amount of 18 pieces. There was a nipple under the lacing.

In the 60s of the last century, a synthetic soccer ball was developed. Genuine leather was used in production until the end of the 1980s, after which it was replaced with synthetic materials.

As a rule, the balls were made of leather, which was taken from the rump of cow carcasses; for simpler models, leather from the shoulder blades was used, cheap and less durable. There were plenty of problems with leather balls. When playing in the rain, the ball swelled, the laces protruded, the ball lost its shape. The use of leather for the production of football equipment in mass quantities was costly.

The leader in the production of balls (80%) is Pakistan. And the manufacturers of the city of Sialkot, on the territory of this country, produce 60% of the balls from the world production. Previously, the owners of the plant used child labor in production. At the end of the 2004 European Championship, this topic was raised by journalists. After the intervention of international organizations for the protection of children, the problem was resolved. For the World Cup, which was held in Germany, the balls for the game were presented by manufacturers from Thailand.

Photo 3. The main country of production of soccer balls is Pakistan.

Interesting facts from the history of soccer balls:

• the matches of the 1970 World Cup, which took place in Mexico, were shown on television. For this, the Telstar soccer ball was developed. It consisted of 32 black and white pieces, as the designers, while developing the product, tried to make the ball visible on the screen;
• the product Tango Duralast, which was made for the 1978 World Cup in Argentina, consisted of 20 pieces: 12 white circles were located on a black background;
• At the 1982 World Cup in Spain, the Tango España leather soccer ball was used for the last time. Rubber was considered an innovation, which was applied to the seams in order to reduce the absorption of water;
• At the World Cup in Mexico, in 1986, they played with the Azteca ball, the material of which was polymer materials;
• The Etrusco Unico ball played in the 1990 World Cup used foam for one layer;
• Questra - the ball played by the teams at the 1994 World Cup in the United States. Five types of materials were used in its production. The product was subjected to serious testing at that time;
• The Tricolore, which was played at the 1998 World Cup in France, used synthetic foam to give the ball a soft touch and bounce;
• At the World Championship in Korea-Japan, in 2002, the Fevernova ball was used, the cut of which consisted of 32 pieces. In addition, it had 3-millimeter layers (11 pcs.), The microcells of which stored energy during the impact and contributed to a stable flight;
• The 14-piece Teamgeist ball used at the 2006 World Cup in Germany used heat-shrink seams. They provided water resistance and compensated for surface imperfections.

Photo 4. The Telstar professional ball from Adidas participated in the 1974 FIFA World Cup.

Types of soccer balls

Those who believe that the soccer ball is standard and the same for everyone are mistaken. In fact, there is a difference in how it is supposed to be used. Much depends on the place where the game will take place: on grass, lawn or even on asphalt. In accordance with this, the following types of soccer balls are distinguished:

1. Professional soccer balls - are used for games on all coverings of football grounds. In addition, they are used in any weather. When purchasing them, a quality certificate is provided that this projectile has all the qualities and is suitable for professional games.
2. Match balls. Durable among all types. They have grip during the game. Used in football competitions.
3. Balls for training. They have increased strength, water-repellent coating, due to which they are appreciated by fans of street football, they are widespread.
4. The futsal ball has low bounce and is smaller in diameter than standard balls.

Professional and match balls are made by manufacturers exclusively for playing on lawn surfaces, matches and football competitions are held there. Those who like to drive the ball on asphalt know that manufacturers do not produce special balls for hard surfaces. After all, even the best soccer balls, which are used to play on asphalt or concrete surfaces, wear out and lose their shape.

In addition, soccer balls have a temperature threshold at which they are used for the game. It is -15 degrees. Don't be surprised when a quality ball falls apart before your eyes after being used to play on pavement in the cold.

Photo 5. A futsal ball is characterized by a small bounce and light weight.

Requirements for the ball

FIFA standards table.

FIFA Approved is a mark that indicates that the ball complies with the list of FIFA requirements and confirms its functional and technological characteristics. To receive this mark, the ball meets the requirements:

• have a circumference of 68.5-69.5 cm. In this case, the diameter is 21.8-22.2 cm;
• clear roundness - when calculating the difference between a larger and smaller diameter value, its difference from the average value does not exceed 1.3%. In this case, the measurement of the diameter is performed at 16 points, after which the figure of the average value is determined;
• rebound - when dropping the ball from a 2-meter height, the rebound height is 1.2-1.65 m. An error of no more than 10 cm is allowed.
• a soccer ball weighs about 420-445g;
• wetting - a test is carried out in which the ball is placed in a tank of water and, while rotating it, is compressed about 250 times. The amount of water absorbed increases its weight by no more than 10%;
• pressure in a soccer ball. During the test, the ball is pressurized with 1 bar of air. After 3 days, the ball releases air, the volume of which does not exceed 20%;
• soccer ball shape and size. A special test is carried out in which a ball is thrown at a speed of 35 miles per hour into a steel surface. Not a single seam should be damaged during testing. At the same time, pressure loss, changes in diameter and sphericity of the ball should be insignificant. The ideal option is the complete absence of such changes.

Balls bearing the "FIFA Approved" logo are played on official football matches. At all that are held under the auspices of FIFA or continental associations. FIFA Approved hallmarked balls undergo an additional test that simulates 2,000 hits of the ball during play on the pitch. A regular soccer ball will have the same characteristics after being hit 2000 times at a speed of 50 km/h against a steel plate.

Photo 6. Testing the ball to maintain its size and shape under impact.

soccer ball device

The scheme of a soccer ball, which is used in professional and amateur football, is simple. It consists of an outer surface, suture material, an inner lining of cotton or polyester, and a latex or butyl bladder.

The outer body of a soccer ball consists of 32 pieces of artificial material or genuine leather, of which 20 are hexagons, 12 are pentagons. This design is called a truncated icosahedron: the ball takes the shape of a ball due to air pressure inside. This design was introduced in 1950 by Select (manufacturing country - Denmark).

An innovation in the production of balls was introduced by Adidas: at the World Cup in 2006, the players played Teamgeist, which consists of pieces of an unusual shape, resembling impellers and propellers in appearance. Two years later, at the European Championship, the same company introduced the Europass ball, similar to the Teamgeist, but with a different coating, similar to a lemon peel.

Photo 7. Description of the structure of the professional ball Adidas Tango 12

Polyester thread is used as a suture material for a soccer ball. Some balls are sewn by hand, others use a special machine. In the manufacture of low-quality balls, glue is used, which increases their rigidity and generally affects its performance. Technology such as thermal bonding is used in the production of Roteiro, Teamgeist and Europass balls.

A lot depends on the internal coating of a soccer ball. Thanks to its layers, the shape is leveled, and speed characteristics are improved. Professional balls have at least 4 layers of cotton or polyester, they are combined with each other. In some cases, special foam is added that improves control and cushioning.

The purpose of the ball chamber is to hold air. The latex chamber retains air worse than the butyl one. Futsal foam is designed to withstand the stresses of a hard surface. The valve is lubricated with a special silicon grease - this will help the easy entry of the needle and air retention.

Photo 8. ManualThe second seam on a soccer ball is made with a bent needle.

Air leakage is due to microspores, the ball needs constant pumping. Latex is pumped up once a week, and a butyl ball once a month. In addition to latex and butyl, polyurethane is used to make cameras.

Photo 9. Gala Argentina 2011 - a football shell with a synthetic surface and a butyl chamber.

Design and colors

When choosing a soccer ball, pay attention to the pattern and design features. The product consists of panels, on which its aerodynamics and player comfort depend. The number of panels depends on the intensity of use and other parameters for which the ball model was made.

Among the huge variety of soccer ball designs, the 32-panel one, which was made by SELECT back in 1962, is considered traditional and popular. A great option for playing on any surface, including stadiums and futsals.

The color of a soccer ball used to be exclusively white or brown. After the advent of televisions, they were replaced by white and black colors in the form of white hexagonal and black pentagonal pieces. This classic coloring is usually used. If for the duration of the match weather forecasters predict snowfall, then bright colors are chosen, more often orange.

Until 1954, the color of the ball remained brown, and only at the World Cup in Switzerland was a yellow ball used. This change was positively received by the fans - the bright color of the projectile helped to concentrate on the game.

The pattern applied by the manufacturers is patented. They make replica balls, which are made from inexpensive materials, but in their own way. appearance they are professional. Designed for practicing techniques by amateur football players.

According to the decision made by the FIFA Football Federation, on balls, in official matches and championships, any advertising and logos are prohibited, except for the emblems of the organizers of the competition or competition, the projectile manufacturer and signs indicating the conformity of the soccer ball to the standards.

Photo 10. 8-panel (top) and 12-panel (bottom) football equipment used for games at the beginning of the last century. (In the photo at the top right - a football player of the 30s of the XX century)

Features of soccer balls depending on their size

The size of soccer balls largely determines the goals and conditions for which they are purchased. Size #1 balls are more commonly used for promotional purposes and come with logos, emblems, or promotional slogans. As a rule, the material of their manufacture is synthetics. They have 32 panels, of which 20 are hexagons and 12 are pentagons. The length of their circumferences is not more than 43 cm. In terms of structure, such balls do not differ from other types, if their size is not taken into account.

Balls of the second size are produced for advertising purposes. This option is for a child up to 4 years old. For the manufacture of synthetics, plastic or polyvinyl chloride. The circumference in length does not exceed 56 cm, and the mass of a soccer ball of this size is not more than 283.5 g. According to their criteria, these balls are suitable for improving the level of football players, which consists in enhanced training and improving the technique of handling the projectile. The tire of this type of soccer ball consists of 26 or 32 panels. Logos, trademarks or advertising inscriptions are placed on it.

The third size is a children's soccer ball, which is produced for training kids, whose age is 8-9 years. Its weight is no more than 340 g, and its circumference is up to 61 cm. In most cases, size 3 balls consist of 32 panels glued or sewn together. The material of their manufacture is synthetic or polyvinyl chloride. In rare cases, 18- or 26-panel products are made.

Size 4 balls are intended for playing mini-football or for training activities for children under 12 years old. FIFA rules state that:

• this ball has the shape of a sphere;
• production material - leather or other material;
• circumference is 62-64 cm;
• weighs 400-440g;
• pressure corresponds to 0.6-0.9 atm.;
• the rebound height from a 2-meter height is in the range of 50-65 cm.

Photo 11. Children's soccer balls attract with their brightness and causeThe child hasdesire to play.

Size 5 balls are used in the official football tournaments organized by FIFA around the world. They are popular and widespread. The number of balls of this size is more than the production of other types from the 1st to the 4th sizes. The circumference of this projectile is 68-71 cm, weight - up to 450 g. In addition, there are types of balls that are intended for children's and women's football. They differ in size and weight from the well-known parameters of soccer balls.

Photo 12. Balls for women's football, as a rule, are smaller in weight.

Manufacturing materials

A leather and rag soccer ball is not used for the game. The variety of synthetic types of leather, for such purposes, surpasses natural material in many qualities. By their structure, they are multilayer hybrids, a special role is played by the top layer, which is based on polyurethane, polyvinyl chloride or materials in which they are contained.

Polyurethane has advantages related to strength characteristics. The mass of microbubbles, of which it consists, has a number of valuable physical properties that determine the technical characteristics: shape constancy (the ability to restore the original appearance after impact), balance (preservation of the trajectory and angle of movement that the player sets during impact), flight speed and rebound. The cost of polyurethane balls is more expensive than those made of PVC.

Comparison table of materials for the chamber of a soccer ball.

Less practical, but cheaper is polyvinyl chloride (PVC). This type of synthetic leather is strong. When feeling, PVC is similar to plastic in cold weather. Soccer balls made from this material present some difficulty in handling. PVC is often used to make tires for inexpensive balls.

When comparing balls made of polyurethane and PVC, the former are softer and the surface is more natural. Most game lovers choose polyurethane products. Under the top layer of polyurethane, some contain a layer of special foam, which ensures contact with the player's foot and excellent cushioning. The thicker this layer, the better the contact will be and the ball will last longer.

Photo 13. Polyurethane material used to make soccer balls.

An important detail of a soccer ball is the "heart", the chamber. In its manufacture, as a rule, natural latex or synthetic butyl or polyurethane are used. The main disadvantage of the latex chamber is the gradual release of air. However, in terms of quality, latex products are superior to synthetic ones in elasticity (the chamber is stretched to large sizes), rebound and memory - indicators that are important during the game.

How to choose a soccer ball for a child?

Knowing the main parameters of the purchase, the search area for the ball is narrowed to a minimum. Indeed, when planning to acquire the main attribute for a popular game, many are determined by its weight and size. Ideal - buy for your child light ball. For those who find it difficult to determine an acceptable size and weight, FIFA offers clear and simple recommendations:

• if the child's age does not exceed 8 years, buy for him a soccer ball weighing 312-340 g, the circumference of which is 57-60 cm;
• for the age category of 8-12 years, balls with a weight of 340-369 g are suitable. Since they belong to size No. 4, their circumference is 62-65 cm;
• adolescent children, starting from 12 years old, are recommended "adult" balls, weighing 397-454 g, the circumference of which is 67.5-70 cm. The parameters correspond to a standard ball of size No. 5.

When choosing a soccer ball for their children, some parents worry that the heavy projectile will hurt the child. But if you can protect yourself from a heavy ball with good football equipment, then a light soccer ball is uncontrollable. The weight must be proportionate to the player.

Photo 14. A separate category of balls is lightweight models for children's play, which require less effort when kicking.

How to take care of the ball?

In order for the ball to serve as long as possible, it is important to know the basic rules for caring for it. This also applies to the soccer ball. If you take care of it, having studied the recommendations of experts, then you extend its service life. In no case should you sit on your soccer ball and stand on it. You can not hit the ball hard on the wall, because because of this it is deformed, and as a result it will swing to the sides when flying.

When choosing a ball, the game conditions where it will be used are taken into account. In this case, the main criterion is the weather and the playing surface. If training or games are planned on rocky and rough surfaces, such as asphalt, concrete or gravel, then such loads will be fatal for a regular ball. Friction during impacts and jumps on hard and uneven surfaces lead to rapid wear, to cuts in its outer coating. At sub-zero temperatures, you cannot play with a wet ball, since the transformation of water into ice will damage the outer surface and form microcracks.

When cleaning the ball, remove dirt at the end of the game with a damp cloth. When dirty, use a mild soap or a detergent that is used for synthetic leather. Do not use harsh cleaning agents. Their concentrated solutions damage the seams on the ball and its outer coating. Washing the ball can not be carried out under a jet of water with pressure, as moisture seeps into the inner layer. A wet or dirty ball is rinsed with clean water, wiped with a soft brush, wiped with a dry cloth and left in a dry place where it will dry completely naturally at room temperature. Keep the ball away from factors such as cold, heat, high humidity, direct sunlight.

Photo 15. Even the most wear-resistant ball material should be protected from harmful effects, prolonged moisture and low temperatures.

It is important to monitor the correct pressure in the soccer ball. Playing with an inflated as well as an underinflated ball is the cause of accelerated surface wear. When inflating, adhere to the pressure recommended by the manufacturers - this is indicated on the surface of the ball. Basically, this value corresponds to 0.8-1.0 bar.

To extend the "life" of a soccer ball, silicone oil is used. Before inflating, a few drops of it are dripped, which will reduce the wear of the ball by 40-50%. After that, the nipple will become elastic, and this is so important in order to prevent damage to the valve and loss of pressure in the ball. Since the nipple is less elastic than latex or butyl tubes, it is more easily affected by external factors. These include humidity, uneven surfaces, low or high temperatures. Under the negative influence of these factors, the ball fails.

Over time, any soccer ball loses pressure. For some of them, a few days is enough. In a product with butyl chambers, air pressure is stored longer than with latex ones. To know that the pressure is normal, check it more often. They buy a high-quality pump, spare needles and a special device for measuring pressure. Many manufacturers advise on days when the ball is not used either for practice or for play, to reduce air pressure in it. This will help reduce stress at the seams. Thus, the life of the ball is increased.

Today the balls High Quality, belonging to the middle and high class, are produced in two countries: India and Pakistan. There are also low-quality fakes that are made by the artisanal method: by gluing pieces or by hand stitching. Such fakes are easy to distinguish from a professional ball. High-quality balls are made by craftsmen in factories. Makes 1-2 products in one working day. These criteria are important, and it is important to pay attention to them. Special attention in order not to get into a mess, but to buy a soccer ball of excellent quality.

Video: What the balls of different championships looked like since 1930

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