How Much Does a Soccer Ball Weigh?
Knowing how much a soccer ball weighs is important for proper gameplay and player development. The beautiful game is the world’s most popular sport and the soccer ball is the most important piece of gear and equipment.
At the professional level the official FIFA approved soccer ball is a size 5 soccer ball, however there are different sized soccer balls that all weight differently and are used for different reasons. In this blog, I will explain everything you need to know about the weight of a soccer ball.
FIFA Regulations
FIFA is in charge of creating the rules, or laws of the game, and all official games that are played under FIFA, which most professional leagues around the world are, must be played with a FIFA approved soccer ball.
There are 5 different sized soccer balls, and each one weighs differently so it is important to train with the right one based on your age and playing level and as you get better with the smaller balls you can move up to the bigger sizes.
The Importance of having the Right Soccer Ball Size and Weight
Having the right size and weight of a soccer ball is crucial for players of all ages and skill levels. In youth soccer especially using smaller sized balls ensures that players develop essential skills and moves properly without struggling with an oversized or overweight ball.
More advanced players often train with smaller training balls to challenge their touch and coordination and this can be a great way to begin some of your training sessions, such as by juggling a smaller soccer ball and maybe even a tennis ball if you are skilled enough.
Official Size and Weight
There are the different weights for each of the 5 FIFA approved soccer balls.
- Size 5 Soccer Ball: 410 to 450 g
- Size 4 soccer Ball: 350 to 390 g
- Size 3 Soccer Ball: 300 to 320 g
- Size 2 Soccer Ball: 240 to 280 g
- Size 1 Soccer Ball: 195 to 205 g
Factors Affecting Ball Weight
Now that you know the standard weight of different sized soccer balls let’s discuss some factors that can impact the weight of your ball.
Air Pressure Regulation:
Soccer balls must be inflated to the right air pressure to be at the perfect weight, which is why it is important to have a reliable soccer ball pump. If you do not have a ball pump there may be some home solutions for inflating or deflating a soccer ball.
Water Absorption Limit:
Some  balls made specific materials may absorb water differently than others affecting the weight of the ball.
Summary
To summarize, understanding the weight of a soccer ball, which can also be called a football in some parts of the world, is important for proper player development. The official different sized balls approved by FIFA include sizes one through five, five being the largest soccer ball and 1 being the smallest ball.
In this blog I covered everything you need to know about the weight of soccer balls, or football balls.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the regulation size of kids soccer balls?
Younger player age groups require different equipment and kids will use either a size 2, 3 or 4 soccer ball. These balls are specifically designed for younger players and adults will use a larger ball, the size 5.
What type of soccer ball is used at the World Cup?
The type of soccer balls used at official games for the FIFA World Cup is a size 5 soccer ball.
What is a soccer ball made of?
A soccer ball is made of 5 main parts:
- The outer casing
- The inner linings
- The bladder
- The stitching
- The valve
What are the different types of soccer balls?
There are five main types of soccer balls, size 1 through size 5 soccer balls. The smaller sizes are kid soccer balls while the largest size, the size 5 soccer ball, is the official size soccer ball for FIFA matches. There are also smart soccer balls and indoor soccer balls.
How can I learn more about the game?
To learn more about soccer the most important thing is to join a team and play the game as much as possible. If possible, analyze high level games as much as you can and your own games as well by recording them with a soccer camera. Also read soccer books, listen to podcasts and interviews watch soccer documentaries, as well as some movies, tv shows, and anime.
