Football has gained popularity in India in the last few years. The youth of the country is very enthusiastic about this game. Football is prevalent in most educational institutions, and students are trained in this game. Many children are joining football training academies to get better. 


The youth around the country have created their teams and organise regular matches and tournaments. A football ball is one of the very few pieces of equipment that you need for the game. 


Choosing the right football size for your game is essential. In this article, we will share the details related to football sizes. We will discuss the football sizes depending on the age group of the players. This article will help you understand football sizes better for choosing the right ball for your next game or practice.

Introduction

The standard FIFA regulation football ball that we use today is quite a matured version. It stands as a benchmark of scientific progress.


Why has this transformation occurred? The answer is quite simple, it is all about improving the performance of the game. The better the football ball, the better the flight; the better the flight, the better the efficiency; the better the efficiency, the better the fun. The football ball, although it has seen a transformation in its look and functionality - right from an era of being a wrapped-up animal sinew to being the construction being made of synthetic rubber - its “Sizes” has remained the same and will remain the same in the future.


How can I choose the right football?

There is a variety of different football ball sizes available in the market, usually seen in a successive way. The reason for the gradual change in football sizes is that a smooth and safe development of young players can happen, as they grow in skill and age. Matching the appropriate ball size to the age of the player is imperative for a safer impact on a player’s body. This will help to prevent injuries to ligaments and tendons, that may normally occur while kicking a larger ball before their body has matured. There are standards set by the football federations around the world that state that using smaller size of football for younger players reduces the risk that the ball would injure them during play.


There are different football ball sizes which serve different purposes. The varied football measurements allow every individual to experience the game with fun and excitement irrespective of age. Football is an entertaining game to the player only if the football ball size is proportionate to his or her age and capabilities.


A five-year-old child cannot be expected to perform his/her best with an adult-sized ball. So, picking up the correct football measurements is a significant and first step to begin your journey with football. If you, or any member of your family is keen to start playing football, there are many tips to keep in mind about football weight and sizes while buying them. So, let's get started on learning about the plethora of football ball sizes available in the market today. 


At Decathlon, our extensive range of high-quality footballs have been updated with striking designs, with strong features and colours. This guideline for a football size chart will help you understand what size of football ball you need. We pride ourselves in creating some of the world’s best and advanced footballs over the years based on our extensive knowledge and expertise.


Breakdown Of Football Sizes By Age

Many children start playing football at a very young age, and for many others, it takes a long time to build a passion for this sport. For the players of each age group, a different football size should be used. Choosing the suitable football size by age is essential as it will play a significant role in the game and the player's skill.

Size Circumference Age
Size 1 17" All
Size 2 22" 3-6 years
Size 3 24" below 8 years years
Size 4 25-26" 8 -12 years
Size 5 27-28" 12 years and above

The Five Football Size Chart

In this article about football size, we have looked at the different aspects of the size of footballs. Let us now take a look at the details related to the sizes. The following is the football size chart that will help you choose the right size of a football for your game.

  1. Size 1
football size 1
football ball size 1

Size 1 football balls are also known as “Mini-Balls” or “Minis.” At 18–20 in (46–51 cm) in circumference, the size 1 ball is traditionally constructed as a twelve-panel dodecahedron. According to the football size chart, these balls do not exceed 20" in circumference. The primary purpose of playing with Size 1 is to improve the skills training of amateurs. These football balls are not heavy at all, which is quite advantageous to the players. If you wish to learn more about controlling a ball with your legs and training yourself before playing with a bigger ball, then a size1 football is the right choice. The size 1 football is not used in competition.


There is no doubt about the fact that size 1 is suitable for all ages and appropriate for practicing and mastering the game skills.  Also, if you are finding it difficult to figure out what exactly you should be collecting as a memory token from your football matches, then the Size 1 balls serve best to this purpose too. Most players and coaches use these balls for their souvenir collection.


Decathlon Top Pick: Kids Football Ball Size 1 Sunny 300 - Turquoise Blue
  1. Size 2
football ball size 2
football ball size 2

Size 2 football balls are of 22" in circumference and 280 gm by weight. They are also known as “Midi balls”. If your aim is to train yourself to achieve ball control, then go for Size 2. Generally, ball control becomes more comfortable after practicing with a midi ball, when the game is played with regular football balls which are huge in comparison.


With Midi Balls, focusing and bringing the ball in solid contact with your foot becomes difficult. Thus, coaches suggest this ball for fine tuning foot skills. Also, because of the lighter weight of the Size 2 balls, they are excellent for 3-6 year age groups. Children from this age group are prone to a higher number of injuries if they have to kick or dribble the heavy standard balls.


  1. Size 3
football ball size 3
football ball size 3

Size 3 football balls are of 24” and weigh between 11-12 ounces. These are the smallest official football balls used for match games. If there is a standard football size that suits all ages, from toddlers and young children in their initial stages of professional matches, that would be the Size 3 Football Ball. Children of the age group between 6-9-years will find the Size 3 ball to be ideal. Although they are typically costlier than regular practice balls, these balls have been developed for their true flight performance, reliability, and ultimate control. Their high-quality construction and match approved specifications are just extraordinary.

Decathlon Top Pick: Football Ball Training Size 3 (Below 8 years) First - Blue

  1. Size 4
football ball size 4
football ball size 4

Size 4 – This is where the football game comes into the main scene with different football weight and sizes. The Size 4 Football Balls are of 25-26 inches in circumference and weigh 12-13 ounces. This ball is a standard football ball for kids aged between 9 and 11 years old.


An interesting fact about this football size is that size 4 balls are three times bigger than that of the primitive football balls. Since the ball’s bounce rate is low, players usually play with it on a harder surface. This particular ball’s qualities mostly suit the game when played indoors on tiled floors. Nowadays, Futsal football uses Size 4 football balls.

Decathlon Top Pick: F100 Size 4 Football - Blue

  1. Size 5
football ball size 5

In the 1970 World Cup, Adidas (sportswear manufacturer) introduced the widely-known size 5 football ball and named it as the Telstar. Adidas has supplied every football ball for the world cup ever since. This international match ball measures 27-28 inches in circumference according to the standard football sizes. It weighs between 14-16 ounces. This size is appropriate for everyone aged 12 and above. All the football leagues and tournaments all over the world use Size 5 football balls. These balls are also famous amongst the youth football games.

Decathlon Top Pick: Football Ball Match Size 5 FIFA Basic F550 - White Red

What is so special about football size?

To answer this question, you need to play football with a Size 3 football ball, and then make a switch to a Size 5 football ball. The ease and smoothness in kicking a Size 5 ball can be felt instantly.


The first step in purchasing a football ball is deciding on the size based on standard football size charts. Football ball sizes vary, and the varying size has a direct effect on the weight of the ball. While selecting a size of football ball, you must consider your age, personal skills, and purpose. If you are a beginner, it is always better to start with the basic size that suits your age, then gradually move up to the current ball size and further upgrade to the next size as you develop your skills. 


Learning about the impact different football ball sizes have on your performance can be quite eye-opening! Come and shop from the wide range of eclectic sizes and patterns available at Decathlon for the football lover today!

Conclusion

Football is a fun game, and if played regularly, it is an excellent physical activity for the body that can help the player stay fit and healthy. We hope this article about different football sizes has helped you understand football in more detail. 


Choosing the proper football for your games or practices is essential, and we hope with the information shared in this article, you will be able to select the right size of a football for yourself. In case of any further queries regarding football sizes, you can contact our team, and we will be happy to assist you in choosing the right football. 


FAQs

Football size is a significant factor in the game, and you need to be aware of the different sizes of footballs as a player, a coach, or anyone related to the game. We have tried sharing with you all the details related to football sizes. There are still some questions that football enthusiasts often ask regarding the size of footballs. You might also have some questions about the same. In this section, we will answer the common questions about football sizes for your convenience. 

What is the size of football used in the FIFA World Cup?

The FIFA World Cup is the world’s largest football event. The size of football used in the FIFA World Cup is a size 5 football.

What is the right size football for a 3-year-old?

A size 2 football is the right football size of all the different football sizes for a 3-year-old. 

How big is a size 1 football?

For training, a size 1 football helps improve skills. The circumference of a football of size 1 is 17 inches. You can find more about the size of a size 1 football by looking at the size chart in this article. 

What is the weight of a football?

The weight of a football is directly dependent on the football size. Here is the weight of the various football sizes:

  • Size 1: 205 gram
  • Size 2: 210 - 280 gram
  • Size 3: 300 - 320 gram
  • Size 4: 359 - 390 gram
  • Size 5: 410 - 450 gram

What should be the circumference of a football?

The circumference of a football will also depend on its size. The following is the list of the circumference of the different football sizes:

  • Size 1: 17 inches
  • Size 2: 22 inches
  • Size 3: 24 inches
  • Size 4: 25-26 inches
  • Size 5: 27-28 inches
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