Some balls are odd. The evolution of balls (of the World Cup kind)

[HondaKid]

Balls of the World Cup (pics) (http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2010/06/06/magazine/20100606-world-cup-balls.html)

[dirtsniffer]

anyone know why the the number of panels has been reduced over the last decade?

[broken_legs]

The new World Cup ball is a POS.

My friend just bought one and we were playing around a bit in the field.... Within 2 minutes the skin was ripped and gouged.

Other players are quoted as saying its a "Super Market" ball.

But then again they always complain about everything lol

[Ukyo8]

I remember having a 1998 replica when I was a kid! :D

[HondaKid]

Originally posted by broken_legs
The new World Cup ball is a POS.

My friend just bought one and we were playing around a bit in the field.... Within 2 minutes the skin was ripped and gouged.

Other players are quoted as saying its a "Super Market" ball.

But then again they always complain about everything lol

Yes the pros always complain, every WC I have been watching. Unless you paid $150 for this WC ball it is a toy, for display only.

http://www.worldsoccershop.com/departments-balls-adidas-world-cup-balls.html (http://)

The real ball used on game day:

http://www.worldsoccershop.com/42040.html

[HondaKid]

Originally posted by Ukyo8
I remember having a 1998 replica when I was a kid! :D

Still making them, this one is official:

1998 (http://www.worldsoccershop.com/12549.html)

[HondaKid]

Goalkeepers and the new UNLOVED 2010 WC ball:

NYT ARTICLE (http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/04/sports/soccer/04ball.html)

[skandalouz_08]

That article is so biased its not even funny. The one player they did interview likes it, but the goalkeepers don't and its only the US team that was being interviewed lol

[r3ccOs]

I'm certain that the Tricolore is pretty much the standard in most current designs... those balls introduced in germany and the latest inception, the Jabulani, IMO are too light and too balanced.

Sound stupid, but we do happen to keep a few official replica's, which are $150 a piece, and it feels like you're kicking around a volleyball.

You need some weight to carry the momentium, and you also need good balance, but not perfect balance... otherwise you take the english away from the game.

[TeamBestBud]

I had a 2002 ball and that one was amazing to play with.

[R154]

Originally posted by r3ccOs
I'm certain that the Tricolore is pretty much the standard in most current designs... those balls introduced in germany and the latest inception, the Jabulani, IMO are too light and too balanced.

Sound stupid, but we do happen to keep a few official replica's, which are $150 a piece, and it feels like you're kicking around a volleyball.

You need some weight to carry the momentium, and you also need good balance, but not perfect balance... otherwise you take the english away from the game.


This is not true at all, "bending the ball" or "english" is actually a property imparted onto the ball when a player is able to give the ball a certain spin either clockwise (rightward bend) or counterclockwise (leftward bend) because of areodynamic properties of a sphere traveling through air and forces related to that movement. The balance of the ball would have little to do with the players ability to impart this spin. It would actually make it more difficult to impart a spin at all if the ball was not close to, if not completely balanced.

[r3ccOs]

Originally posted by R154



This is not true at all, "bending the ball" or "english" is actually a property imparted onto the ball when a player is able to give the ball a certain spin either clockwise (rightward bend) or counterclockwise (leftward bend) because of areodynamic properties of a sphere traveling through air and forces related to that movement. The balance of the ball would have little to do with the players ability to impart this spin. It would actually make it more difficult to impart a spin at all if the ball was not close to, if not completely balanced.

Journals and articles have indicated that in a perfect ball, its purely aerodynamics, however the valve of an older ball threw the ball's cog off with intertia, specifically with a high spin rate.

Now, for a striker taking a cracker of a shot off the laces from 20+ yards out... a balanced "true" ball is lovely, and that's what this new Jumbulani is.
Now for someone throwing in a cross or curving through pass, this isn't so good.
I can tell during spot kick practice how much a difference the ball is, even when compared to a comprabable quality Umbro, Nike Tiempo, or previous Euro/WC ball

Plus the weight makes it feel like a volleyball and I don't think I'm putting as much pace on it as I did with a heavier ball.

[911fever]

awesome, I want to buy one. Only 8 panels, that's cool

[HondaKid]

A video of how the WC 2010 ball is made:
zbLjk4OTRdI

[msommers]

Originally posted by broken_legs
The new World Cup ball is a POS.

My friend just bought one and we were playing around a bit in the field.... Within 2 minutes the skin was ripped and gouged.

Other players are quoted as saying its a "Super Market" ball.

But then again they always complain about everything lol

Was his the replica or the official one? I was thinking about getting an official one...$150 for a soccer ball is pretty steep though :(

[911fever]

Originally posted by msommers


Was his the replica or the official one? I was thinking about getting an official one...$150 for a soccer ball is pretty steep though :(

http://cgi.ebay.ca/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=270592732767&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT

guaranteed authentic? :dunno:
great feedback rating too

[urbannomad]

I remember players saying the Germany '06 balls were the best they've played with!