Football - popular game, which has a lot of fans and fans all over the world. To realize the desire to become a football player - amateurs and professionals, acquire 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: soccer ball size - 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 It differed from its outdated counterparts in rebound and durability.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 chamber, it became possible to create specifications 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 in 1888 Football League 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 international organizations for the protection of children, the problem was solved. 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 in 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:
- Professional soccer balls - used for games on all surfaces football pitches. 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.
- Match balls. Durable among all types. They have grip during the game. Used in football competitions.
- Balls for training. They have increased strength, water-repellent coating, due to which they are appreciated by fans of street football, they are widespread.
- 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 with the "FIFA Approved" logo are played at 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, 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. 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 company producing the projectile and signs indicating the conformity of the soccer ball to the standards.
Photo 10. 8-panel (top) and 12-panel (bottom) football shells, which were 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 futsal or for training sessions 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 official football tournaments held 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 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. In 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 that it consists of has a number of valuable physical properties that determine technical specification: shape constancy (the ability to restore the original appearance after the impact), balance (preservation of the trajectory and angle of movement that the player sets during the impact), speed of flight 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. The ideal option is to purchase a light ball for your child. 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. Wherein main criterion- weather and 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, rubbed with a soft brush, wiped with a dry cloth and left in a dry place where it dries 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 special attention to them in order not to get into trouble, but to buy a football of excellent quality.
Video: What the balls of different championships looked like since 1930
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This immortal kolobok has come to us from time immemorial. The ball is one of the most ancient and favorite toys of all countries and peoples. IN Ancient Greece, Rome and Egypt, the ball was not only loved, but also ... respected. In ancient Greece, it was considered the most perfect object, since it had the shape of the sun, which means (as the Greeks thought) it had its magical power. They sewed balls from leather and stuffed them with some elastic material, for example, moss or bird feathers. And later they guessed to inflate the leather ball with air. Such a ball was called "follis". Small follices were used for hand games, while larger balls were used for games like football.Images of balls were found on the walls of Egyptian tombs, and during excavations of the burial places of the pharaohs, balls themselves were found, sewn from strips of leather or tree bark, and sometimes made of sandstone. The team games of the Egyptians with these items were dedicated to the gods, each team represented the interests of a group of celestials, the ball was driven into the gate with curved sticks.
And in ancient China they played ball, for example, by kicking it with their foot. The game eventually became a favorite folk entertainment, and in the 2nd century BC. included in the obligatory program of the solemn celebration of the birthdays of the emperor. At the same time, instead of stuffing with bird feathers and animal hair, they learned to fill leather balls with air, developed rules, and began to install gates on the playing field. The winners were honored with flowers, awarded with valuable gifts, and the losers were beaten with bamboo sticks.
In ancient Japan, too, they could not do without a ball. held at the imperial court team games for driving the ball into the goal in a certain time (measured by the hourglass), during the throwing it should not have touched the ground.
Antique ball games were not just games, they were often associated with religious rites.
In Egyptian "football" each of the two teams played on the side of their gods. And victories were won not for the sake of their own glory, but in the name of the gods. Their ball was made of wood, and they drove it into the goal with curved sticks. There were also balls made of leather and tree bark in Egypt. And a ball made of fragile sandstone could only be carefully thrown to each other - it could break from hitting the ground.
The Romans filled leather balls with fig seeds. They also had glass balls for singles.
Among the North American Indians, the ball was not a toy, but a sacred object, personifying the Sun, Moon and Earth.
Among the Eskimos, the game of ball was also a ritual act that took place during a festival that marked the victory over a maleficent mythical creature named Sedna.
The ancient Greeks also invented several ball games. So, the Spartan warriors were fond of "epykros" - a competition in throwing with their feet and hands a leather ball stuffed with patches, horsehair, feathers, sand, and then - inflated with air. The inquisitive Romans did not fail, among other things, to borrow this from their neighbors. For example, they started the game "harpastum".
Here is how Pollux describes it: “The players are divided into two teams. The ball is placed on a line in the center of the court. On both edges of the court behind the backs of the players, each of whom stands in the place allotted to him, they are also drawn along the line. For these lines it is supposed to bring the ball, and to accomplish this feat is handy, only pushing the players of the opposing team. This game was an important part of the military training program, initially hay, straw and even fig seeds served as fillers for the ball, and then air.
Militant legionnaires, together with "fire and sword", brought to other peoples and spread among them their sports activities with a ball. The British, for example, being tempted by them, not only borrowed the "harpastum", but also mastered it so that in 217 AD. won the match against the Romans!
They also came up with their own way of making balls: they tied round vegetables with horse (girl) hair, then adapted to make them from the bladders of animals. If only that were the limit! And then, after all, the severed heads of an enemy or a servant were used (they say, however, that they were not the first to think of this, but the ancient Chinese).
IN different countries various materials were used to make balls: balls were sewn from animal skins, woven from reeds, twisted from rags, and carved from wood. The rubber ball “jumped” to Europe from Central America. Local Indians made it from resin, which was extracted from cuts in the bark of trees and called "cauchu" (from the words "kaa" - tree and "o-chu" - "cry"). We know this resin under the name "rubber". The rubber ball caught the eye of the traveler Christopher Columbus. The famous navigator was surprised to see that a large and heavy ball bounces so high when it hits the ground. The sailors of Columbus brought the ball to Spain, and the elastic bun quickly spread throughout the civilized world.
Incidentally, the Native American rubber ball game was actually a ritual act. And far from harmless. The game ended with a sacrifice, and the captain of the losing team was sacrificed.
Until today, in some countries, along with modern rubber, leather, inflatable balls, balls made “according to an old recipe” have been preserved. In Japan, for example, there is a favorite toy - a small colorful ball "temari". Children play with them when spring comes, welcoming the first sunny days - a memory that the ball was once a symbol of the sun. The temari ball is carved from wood and braided with colorful silk threads that form beautiful patterns.
In Russia, the balls were different. Balls found in excavations near Novgorod different sizes made of leather. They were played by children in the 13th century. Peasant children of the last century played with light balls made of birch bark or heavy balls tightly rolled from rags. Even information about one of the games has been preserved: they put chicken eggs in a row and knocked them out with a ball. In the Khotkovsky nunnery near Moscow, balls were sewn from soft pillows, and pebbles wrapped in birch bark were put inside - it turned out to be a ball and a rattle at the same time. By the way, the origin of the word "ball" is associated with the words "soft, pulp, crumb." That is, the ball is a soft ball. Back in the middle of the 20th century, Pskov girls had a favorite ditty:
I'll let the ball along the path,
Pushing the ball is rolling...
Among the games popular among the people was, for example, shalyga. In it, the players tried with their feet to drive a leather ball stuffed with feathers into the opponent's "city". N.G. Pomyalovsky in his "Essays on Bursa" describes a similar fun - kila:
“On the left side of the yard, about eighty people are playing kila - a leather ball stuffed with hair the size of a human head. Two parties converged wall to wall: one of the participants led the keel, slowly moving it with his feet, which was the height of art in the game, because from a strong blow the ball could go in the opposite direction, to the enemy’s camp, where they would take it. It was forbidden to hit from the toe - while it was possible to strike at the opponent's leg. It was forbidden to hit from the back, that is, running into the enemy’s camp and, after waiting for the ball to go to his side, drive it to the city - the designated line. Those who violated the rules of the game were washed their neck ... "
Fans of the ball game got it from the authorities. Penance for her was provided for by church decrees, Archpriest Avvakum called for burning players at the stake, in the decree of Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich (1648) it was said about them:
“... and according to our decree, those people were ordered to do the punishment: and you would have ordered them to be beaten with batogs, and which people will not lag behind such outrage, but will take out such ungodly games and all of a sudden, and you would have ordered those disobedient ones to be beaten with batogs; and which people will not lag behind, but will appear in such a wine in the third and fourth, and those, according to our decree, are ordered to be exiled to the Ukrainian cities.
Modern balls vary in size and purpose. different balls are used for playing volleyball, basketball, football, tennis, water polo, rugby and other games. Each of them has its own story.
The name of the game of basketball came from the English words "basket" - "basket" and "ball" - "ball". This game was invented by D. Naismith, a sports instructor from one of the American universities, in 1891. At his direction under the ceiling sports hall they nailed a large fruit basket and threw a ball into it. When the players got tired of climbing for the ball every time, it occurred to someone to just knock the bottom of the basket out. At first, basketball players used leather balls, and then switched to rubber ones.
Water polo players are known to play in the water, so they lubricated the leather ball with grease to keep it from swelling. But in the end they also decided to play with rubber balls.
But the players from rubber balls refused, as they are slippery, and it is difficult to drive such a ball with your feet. In football, in general, everything is thoroughly thought out, down to the size and weight of the ball. It should be no heavier than 543 and no lighter than 396 grams, and the circumference should be no more than 71 and no less than 68 centimeters.
The badminton ball was generally made from an apple. Yes, they took a hard unripe apple, stuck goose feathers into it and threw homemade rackets to each other. It was in Japan, from there the game came to India, and from India it was brought to Europe by an English duke, whose castle was located near the city of Badminton. That's what the game was called. And by that time, of course, the apple had been replaced with a cork ball.
The materials used for the balls were different. But the shape was always the same - round. With only one exception. The rugby ball is oval in shape (like a melon). But not because the game requires it. It just happened.
In the English town of Rugby, they loved to play ball. But the rag ball was very fragile. Then the livestock offal merchant William Gilbert took and sheathed with leather ... the bladder of a pig. The ball is light and durable. It was in the nineteenth century, but rugby balls are still traditionally made in an oblong shape.
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Slides captions:
The history of the soccer ball
Football balls in ancient times According to historical references and legends, early balls were made from human heads wrapped in animal skin or the bladders of pigs and cows.
The oldest ball that the Stirling Smith Museum in Scotland holds the oldest ball (among those found, of course). He is over 450 years old. It is believed that this ball belonged to the Scottish Queen Mary. The chamber of the ancient ball is made of a pig's bladder. The top of the chamber is covered with stitched pieces of deerskin.
Balls stuffed with papyrus On Egyptian soil, archaeologists have found a large number of balls stuffed with papyrus, palm wood and covered with leather or fabric
Volcanic rubber soccer balls Charles Goodyear patented vulcanized rubber in 1836 and designed the first rubber soccer ball in 1855. It is still kept in the National Football Hall of Fame, which is located in Oneonta (New York, USA).
Balls with a rubber bladder In 1900, even stronger rubber bladders were developed). 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.
Ball of the correct form There was a gasket between the camera 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.
Mass production of soccer balls began thanks to orders from the English Football League (founded in 1888). Miter and Thomlinson's of Glasgow were the first companies to master ball production at the time.
The first orange balls In 1951, to replace the plain white ball, came a shell with wide colored stripes. They helped the spectators to more confidently navigate the events on the field and follow the ball. The first orange balls also appeared in the 50s. They were designed to help viewers see the sphere during heavy snowfall.
Buckminster Ball The shape of the Buckminster ball is a series of hexagons and pentagons that fit together to give the ball a rounded shape.
modern ball The modern ball consists of 20 hexagons and 12 pentagons. Together they form a sphere close to perfection. The black pentagons helped the players feel more subtle any deviations during the flight of the ball.
What ball to play? 1930 Argentina-Uruguay
First Official Soccer Ball The first "official" soccer ball was the Adidas "Telstar" at the 1970 World Cup in Mexico.
The official ball of 2012 "Tango 12" - this is the name of the official ball of Euro 2012. It is made taking into account all modern requirements and wishes of athletes. Now he is being tested by the German Bayern and the Italian Milan.
History of Football
Do you know where football came from? The history of the "kick ball" has many centuries. IN various games with a ball, similar to football, they played in the countries of the Ancient East, in the Ancient World, in France (“pa soup”), in Italy (“calcio”) and in England.
Chinese girls play football According to available data, this world-famous game was born in Ancient China about two thousand years ago (at different times it was called differently: zu-nu, zhu-ke, tsu-ju).
Ancient Greece and Rome In ancient Greece and Rome, ball games were part of the educational process and physical education men and women.
Ancient Greek amphora Ball game in various manifestations was popular as early as the 4th century BC. BC e., as evidenced by the image of a young man juggling a ball on an ancient Greek amphora, stored in a museum in Athens.
Football in Europe Playing the ball in 1 in. n. e. became famous in the British Isles
Modern Football Once upon a time, football was a tough game with almost no rules. Trampling, beating and maiming each other was common among players on rival teams. Football today - sport game, with clearly defined rules governing all aspects of the competition.
Draw The match begins with a draw, as a result of which one of the teams can choose a gate (after the break, the teams change gates).
Modern football match Football matches are played between two teams. The number of players of each team is not more than eleven, including the goalkeeper, but not less than seven. The winner of the game is the one of the teams that, at the end of the main match, will score the largest number of goals against the opponent.
football cups
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 held up very well. strong blows with a foot, but it was dangerous to beat them with your 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 at the time 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 football fields, and only in the 80s, synthetics completely replaced the skin.
Messi with the ball
Today we are all familiar with the modern design of the Buckminster ball: it consists of 20 hexagons and 12 pentagons stacked together to give the ball a perfect round shape.
Human heads, bladders, leather patches, rubber panels. How does all this relate to football? No, these are not the names of fan groups. This is just a partial list of materials from which people made balls. This seemingly simple sports equipment long and full of interesting facts history. This long process has led to the emergence of many types of soccer balls, differing in size, purpose and quality. But don't be afraid - we will help you figure it all out.
"Let's go chase the skull?"
Throughout history, man has loved to compete - for food, for women, for land. Even more - to hit something, it does not matter if it is the face of an enemy from a neighboring tribe or any contraption lying in the dust. And then one day some genius, to whom we should be incredibly grateful, was struck by the question: “What if you hit something round that can roll on the ground?”. At that moment, the ball was invented. At least something that looks like a ball.
Judging by the research of archaeologists, ancient people drove through the grass whatever they got: sheathed in cloth human heads, animal skulls, bladders of cows or pigs. This is a real dirty game! The North American Indians went the farthest: they kicked an elastic sphere of rubber, although there was still a thousand years before the official creation of rubber.
The Chinese during the Qin and Han dynasties (approximately 250-220 BC) were engaged in "Zhu Ke", which was part of the warrior training system and at the same time was the forerunner of football. The goal of the training game is to drive a sphere made of animal skin into a 60 cm hole in a net stretched between bamboo sticks. Historians claim that some ancient Egyptian rituals had similarities with football. Yes, and the ancient Greeks and Romans also loved the game, which was associated with something that resembles a modern ball.
According to one of the medieval legends, in those days, grandiose competitions were held in terms of their scale and number of participants. Literally village to village. Dozens of husbands tried to push the skull of the animal to the central square of the neighboring village by any means. There was a lot of blood, a lot of broken limbs and a lot of fun. Such was medieval football - rather pointless and frighteningly merciless.
From bladders to rubber
Until the middle of the 19th century, the size of the ball depended on the size of the bladder of the pig from which it was made, which made the speed, direction and trajectory of its flight after impact completely unpredictable. Everything changed in 1836, when Charles Goodyear was the first to vulcanize rubber, giving rubber to the whole world. In 1985, he also made the first rubber soccer ball in history, which is now kept in the National Soccer Hall of Fame in New York.
In 1862, a scientist named Lyndon completed work on the first version of an inflatable ball tube. Shortly before this, his wife, who helped him in the development, died of a lung disease. It turned out that during this time she had blown hundreds of animal bubbles, which was the indirect cause of her death. The Irony of Fate! But after the invention of Lindon, the balls began to keep their shape and stopped losing their rigidity, which had a positive effect on the development of football in general.
Surprisingly, in 1863, when the newly emerging English Football Association developed the first set of rules for the game, absolutely nothing was said about the parameters of the ball. It wasn't until 1872 that football officials decreed that the ball should be "spherical in shape, with a circumference of 27 to 28 inches (68.6 cm to 71.1 cm)." This description remained unchanged for many years, and only in the Encyclopedia of the Football Association, published in 1956, additional information appeared: “In accordance with the rules of football, the ball must be spherical in shape with an outer casing made of leather or other approved materials. The circumference must be no more than 28 inches and no less than 27 inches, while the weight at the beginning of the game must not exceed 16 ounces or be less than 14 ounces.
Mass production of balls began in 1888, when the first edition of the English Championship started. Miter and Thomlinson were the first companies to specialize in this equipment. In their advertising articles, they proudly said that their balls do not lose their shape, because they are sewn from high-quality leather by the best craftsmen. Also, gradually, the shells began to be made from separate panels fastened together, and not just from two leather patches.
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From rubber to syntheticsAnd yet those balls were very far from modern ones. Let's say they were inflated through a special 15-centimeter tube, after which the hole was tightly pulled together with lacing. Now imagine how much effort it took to put in order even a slightly deflated ball? In addition, the skin got very wet in rainy weather, which made the projectile heavy - the players began to get head injuries more and more often. And in general, the quality of the skin varied greatly, so the match turned into a kind of Russian roulette. An interesting case: in the final of the first World Cup, held in 1930, the teams of Argentina and Uruguay did not agree on whose ball to use, so they decided to play the Argentinean in the first half, and the Uruguayan in the second. Bottom line: Argentina scored two goals with its projectile, and Uruguay scored four with its own! |
Such incidents happened until the 60s, when the world saw the first synthetic ball. At the same time, he managed to oust his leather counterpart only in the 80s. Prior to this, it was believed that the skin provides the ball with a more controlled and predictable movement. The appearance of the synthetic ball was the last global revolution in this area at the moment.
Also an important event in the history of the soccer ball was the appearance of its classic black and white version, consisting of 32 sections - 20 hexagons and 12 pentagons. Thanks to the new coloring, the ball was easier to see both for the players on the field and for spectators with black-and-white TVs, and such a number of elements made it possible to create an almost perfectly flat surface. Some sources claim that it was the invention of the American architect Richard Buckminster Fuller (the so-called "buckyball"), others record the Dane Eigil Nielsen as the creators of the projectile. But it is known for sure that for the first time this ball was presented at the 1970 World Cup in Mexico. It was called Telstar, and it was made by the notorious German sports company created by Adolf Dassler. Over time, the number of sections decreased to 14, and then to 8. And the improvement of the soccer ball continues.
Synthetics act as the main material for the manufacture of soccer balls, and it repeats the cellular structure of the skin, but does not absorb water so well, which is an undeniable advantage. Companies are trying to develop perfect projectile, which flies or rolls along the field in an ideal trajectory fast enough, is waterproof, does not absorb impact energy, and at the same time is soft and does not threaten players with head injury.
ball anatomy
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Modern soccer balls consist of an outer shell (tire), a seam, an inner padding (lining) and a chamber. . Tire. Made of synthetic leather (polyurethane or polyvinyl chloride). Comprises a large number panels. Usually, the more panels, the less curved the flight of the ball. . The seam. Panels can be sewn or glued. The more expensive and better quality balls are sewn by hand, while the cheaper ones are sewn automatically. Basically, the flaps are sewn together with polyester thread. There are balls without seams at all, for example the famous Roteiro, which was played at the 2004 European Championship, or Jabulani. Their panels are bonded by thermal bonding. However, many players complain about their uncontrolled flight and unpredictable trajectory. |
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. Lining. Several layers of lining are made of polyester and/or cotton. They help the ball retain its shape, strength and resilience. Professional balls usually consist of four or more layers of lining, amateur balls - from one to three. A layer of foam is also often applied to improve cushioning and ball control.
. Camera. Usually made from latex or butyl, although some companies use polyurethane. Latex bladders have stronger surface tension, give a softer feel and provide better rebound. At the same time, butyl bladders, which are used in the manufacture of most of the highest quality balls, are excellent at retaining air.
Size 5 balls
The standard ball for players over 12 years old is a size 5. Professionals and amateurs around the world use it most often. Futsal is played with a size 4 ball. Children from 8 to 12 years old also play with this. The size 3 ball is designed for teaching children up to 8 years old, the size 2 ball is designed for children up to 4 years old. Size 1 are freestyle or souvenir mini balls.
Here is the level
. undergo special tests and are used on international competitions FIFA of the highest category. To qualify for the FIFA INSPECTED mark, balls are tested for mass control, moisture absorption, rebound, roundness, circumference and pressure loss. In order to receive a more significant FIFA APPROVED mark (“Approved by FIFA”), balls are subjected to additional tests to maintain size and shape.
. high quality wear-resistant, hand-sewn and designed for playing on the lawn. Recommended for experienced players.
. extremely durable, so they last a very long time. They can be used on all types of coverage. Popular in amateur competitions and suitable for a player of any skill level.
. - the most common and cheapest type. They are sewn together by machine, the quality is average, but they can be played on any type of surface. For beginners, you can't do better.
. designed for women and children and ideal for creating a home football team.
. size 1 are designed for practicing feints (football freestyle), for fun or for collecting.
. - not a design move, but a way to outwit the weather. Such balls were introduced back in the 50s so that the projectile could be seen on the field in snowy weather.
Balls for different types of surfaces
. Balls for the hall (indoor football balls) the same size as the standard ones, but bounce less harshly to better suit indoor playing conditions. They have a durable tire, so you can get up on them and not be afraid to hit the walls.
. smaller than indoor balls, although the weight is about the same as regular size 5 balls. Made specifically for futsal games, they have less bounce and better control on hard surfaces.
. have a soft tire for greater comfort when playing barefoot. The main requirement for beach balls is water resistance.
. made specifically for playing on the ground and asphalt, so they have a reduced rebound.
In sports, as in creativity: good equipment can improve the result of work. Thirty years ago, the choice was small - someone has a ball in the yard, anyone, and it's already good! And now we can afford to experiment: the ball is small for the hall, for hard surface, for grass, with sensors ... And when right choice the ball can be a friend for oo-o-long years. We have prepared a whole gallery of friends for you. 🙂
