While searching for a new soccer ball, you would find different sizes and types. At that point, you might be confused about buying the right ball. I have saved you the stress by making a list of Soccer ball sizes by age.
I also put their weight and use into consideration. While there are soccer balls as tiny as 18 inches, there are also balls as big as 28 inches.
Soccer ball size 12 is the most popular. Almost everyone over the age of 12 can play with this size ball. Even though professional players use size 12 in official matches, they sometimes use other ball sizes in training.
As we go further, I will discuss the different soccer ball sizes, who should use each size and the best way to use them. Relax and enjoy reading.
Soccer Ball Size by Age
As stated earlier, there are various types of soccer balls that come in different sizes and materials.
You need a ball of the right size to play football well and live to your full potential. That applies to both official matches and practice.
Soccer balls come in 5 sizes. These sizes were made official by FIFA. They are size 1, size 2, size 3, size 4, and size 5.
As an adult, you should ideally play with a soccer ball size 5. That is what professional footballers use as well. The soccer ball size 4 is recommended for children between 8 and 12 years.
If your child is less than 8, it is considered unsafe to allow them to play with size 4 balls. Children aged 5 to 8 years should use the soccer ball size 3.
On the other hand, your children can play with the size 2 ball if they are less than 5 years old. The smallest soccer ball size is the size 1, which is recommended for children from 1 to 3 years.
What Size Soccer Ball is Right For Me?
Selecting a soccer ball of the right size is important for your development and success in football. If you’re trying to figure out the right ball size, consider some factors.
The most important factor is your age. While young people use smaller balls, adults can play with bigger, heavier balls. Your experience level matters also.
Even if you’re older, you can use the smaller-sized balls to practice to gain more experience. As you improve, you can start practicing with big balls. Another factor you should consider is the soccer type. Your play style matters.
If you like running with the ball, you will play more efficiently using a lower-weight ball. On the other hand, you can use heavy balls if you like playing powerful shots.
The Five Soccer Ball Sizes in Detailed Chart
| Ball | Size of Ball (inches) | Ball Weight (grams) | Age Range (years) |
| Size 1 | 18-20 | 195-205 | 3 and below |
| Size 2 | 20-22 | 250-280 | 3-5 |
| Size 3 | 23-24 | 300-320 | 5-8 |
| Size 4 | 25-26 | 350-390 | 8-12 |
| Size 5 | 27-28 | 410-450 | 12 and above |
Size 1
The soccer ball size 1 is the perfect choice for those young soccer enthusiasts. The small ball has a circumference of about 18 inches. If your child is three years or less, you should choose the ball size 1.
Since it is small, it can be easily gripped with small hands. The ball is also easy for little ones to kick around.
Apart from the size 1 ball being small, it is also lightweight. That is why small children can play with it without getting injured. Soccer ball size 1 comes in many different colors.
If your children love football, you shouldn’t deny them a conducive environment to learn the game. The majority of football legends start playing the game at an early age.
You never can tell if your child will be the next Cristiano Ronaldo or Lionel Messi. You can get them a size 1 soccer ball and see how much they will cherish you for it.
Size 2
If you have children between the ages of 3 and 5 years, you should get them a soccer ball size 2. It is also known as the skills ball.
The soccer ball size 2 has a circumference of about 20 inches and 250 grams in weight, which makes it easy for children to control.
Your children can start showing football skills even at 3 years of age. They only need a ball that won’t make them tired easily. The size 2 ball is also used in youth soccer programs.
If you discover your child is talented in football at a young age, you can register them in a good football academy. That is a great way to work towards a professional football career.
Standard football academies use the right ball size for the children learning soccer. Since soccer balls get damaged after repeated use, you must frequently change your child’s ball.
You should know that not all deflated balls are damaged. You just need to pump some balls so they get back to good condition.
Size 3
The size 3 soccer ball is the best choice for your young athlete. It is designed to boost the playing performance of children from 5 to 8 years old.
Even though it is slightly heavier than the size 1 and 2 balls, your child shouldn’t find it difficult to control. The size 3 soccer ball has a circumference of about 23 inches.
The exact size depends on the brand of the soccer ball you’re getting. They also weigh about 300 grams. Whether your children are playing alone or with friends, the size 3 ball is the perfect choice.
Even if a powerful shot is being played with this ball, it won’t have much effect when it touches your child. The size 3 ball is the first ball players in the youth team used to play.
After practicing with it for months, they will be introduced to bigger balls. Professional players also use the size 3 ball for light training.
The medical team encourages players just recovering from injury to undergo light training. It helps them regain form without the risk of having an injury setback.
Size 4
For optimal training and performance of kids between 8 and 12 years, it is recommended to play with the size 4 soccer ball.
Kids find it easy to control since its circumference is about 25 inches. They can play it for more than 2 hours without getting tired. In soccer, people refer to the size 4 ball as the medium.
Most FIFA-approved youth teams use it to train and play in competitions. It is the last ball kids learn to play with before they join the senior team and use the size 5.
After exercising and playing with this ball for a few years, you won’t find it difficult to control the size 5 ball. The only time 8-year-old children shouldn’t practice with this ball is when they are injured.
Injured kids should take a break from the game and only return when they have fully recovered.
No matter how long players are sidelined due to injury, they will always play well when they are back in form. All that matters is talent and enough practice.
Size 5
If you have seen an official football match between two senior teams, you’ve seen the size 5 ball. That is what senior professional players use in major competitions. This ball is recommended to everyone above the age of 12.
Leagues that use the size 5 ball include MLS, La Liga, Serie A, and many more. FIFA also recommends it in major international competitions such as the World Cup, Copa America, Euros, and AFCON.
The size 5 ball weighs about 410-440 grams, which makes it difficult for younger kids to control. Therefore, you should keep it away from children below 12. You should also know that not all size 5 balls can be used in major competitions.
Soccer balls must go through stages of approval by FIFA. That is why you find FIFA-approved stamps on soccer balls. Balls without this stamp are not recommended for use.
To control this ball well, you must be fit. You can also exercise and develop muscles to play with it for a long time. Official football matches last for 90 minutes. Extra time is given if the match result is tied in cup matches.
Conclusion
Playing with the right size ball minimizes the risk of getting injured. Kids can also learn to play from a young age. All they need is a small size ball.
I hope you’re motivated enough to purchase a new ball and level up your skills.
