A Size 5 soccer ball, according to FIFA law 2, The Ball, weighs 420 – 450g. In pounds, that is roughly about 0.926 to 1 pound when approximated.
You must, however, note that a soccer ball does not come in just one size. Likewise, the weight of a soccer ball varies depending on the size of the ball.
Generally, not just any kind of ball can be used to play soccer. The selected ball choices go through thorough screening by FIFA before using them for a soccer game.
This is because the soccer ball is a vital part of the game, and as such, every tiny detail will determine how smooth or rough the game will go. You must be wondering why something as little as the weight of a soccer ball has so much effect on an entire soccer game.
Well, this article will answer all your questions. To give you a clear picture, here are the points that will be discussed in this article:
- The weight of a soccer ball in pounds
- Various types of soccer balls and their weights
- The different sizes of soccer balls
Now let’s get into details.
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For context, the size of the ball approved by FIFA to be used in a standard soccer game is Size 5. This is the size for adults and players over 12 years of age.
FIFA being the regulatory body for international soccer regulates everything that has to do with soccer, including the size of the ball. According to FIFA, a size five soccer ball must weigh between 14 ounces to 16 ounces.
This is about 420g to 450g; when converted to pounds is approximately 0.926 to 1 pound. However, note that there are other sizes of soccer balls which will all be discussed in this article.
Various Types of Soccer Balls and Their Weights
You’d agree that soccer is one of the world’s most widely played sports. And there are over 4 billion fans all over the world who love soccer.
Moreover, you will find different kinds of soccer and along with it are the appropriate balls for each type. They include:
| Types of soccer ball | Weight |
| Associate football | 0.926 – 1 pound (420g to 450g) |
| Beach | 0.882 – 0.925 pounds (400g to 440g) |
| Futsal | 0.904 – 0.948 pounds (410 – 430g) |
| Street | No standard |
| Indoor | Mostly 0.904 – 0.948 pounds (350-390g) |
- Beach soccer
This is a kind of soccer played at the beach, and it is usually played on the sand. This kind of soccer requires a different type of skill from the other types of soccer. Why?
Playing soccer on the sand tends to be a lot harder than playing on a standard field. In addition, dribbling the ball in this setting will be difficult; hence using one’s feet to juggle the ball is better and more convenient.
FIFA governs beach soccer alongside other types of soccer. In addition, it has its league, which people watch just as much as they would regular association football.
The type of ball used for this type of soccer is called a Beach Soccer Ball. It weighs between 400g to 440g – i.e. from 0.882 to 0.925 pounds, and you will get it available in sizes 3,4 & 5 (for adults).
Of course, a beach soccer ball is much lighter than a typical soccer ball because it is a softer material with fewer stitches. This is to give the ball a soft feel when kicked on the sand.
- Futsal
Futsal is a miniature version of Association football, governed by the ruling body FIFA. It serves as an alternative to Association football since it is played on a much smaller field.
It is easily accessible because it does not require much space. The number of players is also different as there are just 5 players on each team. And you can almost call it similar to beach soccer in this aspect.
Futsal balls weigh 410 – 430g – i.e. from 0.904 to 0.948 pounds, according to FIFA’s regulations. These balls bounce less than the average soccer ball at about 50 – 65% less.
Moreover, a size 4 ball is used for playing futsal. FIFA also states rules and regulations for Futsal soccer.
- Street Soccer
This will probably be very familiar to you if you loved soccer as a child. However, unlike Futsal or Association football, this is the type that is played on the streets.
It does not require any field or particular location. Once a goalpost has been set, the game starts. Street soccer is very popular because it is something everyone can relate to.
The lack of luxury of finding a huge field to play association football brought about the invention of street soccer. No particular rules are guiding it. You make the rules based on where you are and however you and your teammates choose to do so.
Sometimes street soccer can be played professionally with professional competitions organized here and there. In this case, you can say a street soccer ball weighs about 450g and can be used to play on a standard field.
- Indoor soccer
This is the kind of soccer played indoors or in an enclosed space like a basketball court or a tennis court. The kind of ball used for this is usually a soccer ball with less bounce.
For example, a size 4 ball could be used as an indoor soccer ball – i.e. from 0.904 to 0.948 pounds. But, there are other kinds of soccer, but the ones mentioned above are the primary and well-known types.
Different Sizes of Soccer Balls
Just as there are different types of soccer balls, they also come in various sizes. These sizes range from size 1 to size 5. Each size has its function and the appropriate users for them.
The sizes must be taken into consideration when purchasing a soccer ball. This is because each size affects how the ball will be played.
Plus, they are constructed differently and are essential for the safety of the players. The different sizes of soccer balls include:
| Sizes of soccer ball | Weight |
| 1 | No standard |
| 2 | No standard |
| 3 | 0.617 – 0.75 pounds (280g – 340g) |
| 4 | 0.772 – 0.86 pounds (350-390g) |
| 5 | 0.882 – 0.925 pounds (420 – 450g) |
- Size 1
You can refer to this as the smallest size of a soccer ball. It is very safe for kids to use as they are smaller and softer to the feet. However, this ball size cannot be used in a professional setting because it may seem tiny for the players.
Additionally, it can be used during playtime and to teach kids how to get better at playing soccer. Plus, it mitigates the risk of injury because of its soft and small nature. However, it can also be pretty easy to manipulate because it is light and bouncy.
There are no standard data on the weight of size 1 soccer balls. Since there aren’t any professional leagues that use them, they’re meant for kids.
- Size 2
The size 2 ball is also as tiny as the size 1 and has no standard data on the weight. Although it is a little bit bigger than a size 1 ball.
This size of ball is best suitable for kids around the age of 4, either for training or real matches. It is also usually relatively light, soft, and bouncy.
- Size 3
This size of ball is suitable for players between the ages of 6 years to 9 years. You can rate it amongst the smallest size of the ball used for professional purposes.
The size 3 training ball weighs 280g – 340g – i.e. from 0.617 to 0.75 pounds. There is also a size 3 ball for playing matches; those weigh between 300 – 340g – i.e. from 0.661 to 0.75 pounds.
- Size 4
This size of the ball is for much older kids; roughly between 9 – 12 years old can use this ball. A size 4 soccer ball can also be used to play futsal and also indoor soccer.
For children, soccer balls usually weigh 350-390g – i.e. from 0.772 to 0.86 pounds. But for official matches like futsal, they can be heavier, about 410 – 430g (0.904 to 0.948 pounds). It has less bounce than a standard size 5 ball.
- Size 5
This is the FIFA-approved size for association football. The size 5 soccer ball is used in professional matches and leagues. A size 5 ball must strictly be within 410 – 450g – i.e. from 0.882 to 0.925 pounds, as it is equivalent to 1 pound, which is the weight of two hamsters.
Furthermore, it is the largest soccer ball used for official matches. This ball size is mostly heavier and stronger than the others. Hence, only adults should play with this ball; this way you can prevent injury and difficulty in handling the ball.
Conclusion
A soccer ball is the most important part of a soccer match. Hence, if the ball does not have the standard weight speculated in FIFA law 2, The Ball, it could affect the entire match.
As earlier mentioned, the sizes of the ball range from size 1 to size 5. While some are perfect for kids to play with, others may be too heavy. And heavy balls will result in injury and uneasy manipulation.
Size 5 soccer ball is a FIFA-approved ball for official professional matches. Its weight must be 450g at the beginning of the match and not less than 410g during play. And this weight in grams roughly translates to almost a pound, approximately.
Hi there, I’m Jay.
Soccer is everything in my life! My friends and I have created this blog with all our enthusiasm, passion, and understanding after years of playing pro soccer. Hope you will enjoy it!