Footballs & Soccer balls: what you should and shouldn't do to keep the ball in perfect working order.

Want to know what are the things you should do to make sure you ball is kept in perfect condition?

Here you will find a list that will explain what you should and shouldn't do when looking after your football.
  • Don’t over inflate your ball - Use the right pressure (Find out more about what balls different age groups should be using here)
    • Size 5 football at 10 to 11psi (0.7 to 0.76 bar)
    • Size 4 football at 9 to 10psi (0.62 to 0.7 bar)
    • Size 3 football at 8 to 10psi (0.55 to 0.7 bar)
  • Don’t leave your ball outside when not in use. Long exposure to the elements can damage your ball
  • Don’t use your ball on hard/rough surfaces. Concrete, tar, bricks, rocks can cut the surface and destroy the outer of the ball
  • Do not sit or stand on your ball. This will deform it
  • Regular use is ideal. Ball materials can go stiff if left in one spot for long periods. An example is leaving a ball in a garage, which has heat cycles, of hot and cold for a year or two
  • Really hot areas are not good for materials. So hot cars, sunny areas, heaters are not good
  • Keep your ball dry when not being used. Good balls don’t take up much water, but over time water will affect any ball

Important information to know when pumping/inflating up a ball:

  • Moisten needle before insertion (needle oil is best but saliva can work). Note, some automotive oils are not good with rubber, so don’t use just any type of oil

  • Push the needle gently as it is easy to hit the bladder on a folded ball. This will make a hole in the bladder

  • If you don’t have a pump that has an in-line pressure gauge (like the SUMMIT Aluminum Pump and Gauge) make sure you keep feeling the pressure with your hand. It should not be super hard. You may have a separate pressure gauge – if so, remove the pump and test regularly

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Reviews (2 comments)

  • SUMMIT TEAM On

    Hi Alexandro

    Thanks for reaching out. Air in the ball is not really too much of a problem. You will find the main issue is not using the ball as the rubber tends to harden over time. You could argue that this is partly because of the air, but having inflated is little difference to having it deflated as there is air around the bladder anyway!
    If deflated, it can actually have other issues where the rubber can stick and when you next inflate it the rubber might rip.
    We suggest:
    1. No need to deflate. But keep in a cool dry place.
    2. Use regularly as this will keep the rubber flexible.
    3. Never over inflate.
    4. All balls will deflate over time, so keeping it in storage will mean that it will be underinflated the next time you come round to playing with it. So when you next get it out, inflate to the correct pressure. Check this page for info:
    https://summitsport.com.au/blogs/articles/soccer-ball-sizes-for-age-groups
    5. If you play every couple of weeks, there wont be any dramas. Keep the ball out of the weather, sun or moisture and you will be fine.

    Hope this covers off what you need.

    SUMMIT Sport Team.

  • Alexandro Sandoval On

    Hey, was wondering if i can just leave the air in my ball. I store it in my closet. Will it mess up the bladder over time?

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