Best Youth Training Soccer Ball (Top 3)

Best Youth Training Soccer Ball

The original soccer balls were just bladders from sheep or pigs that children inflated. Then they tied them off like balloons. Kids played with these because they held air and were reasonably durable.

Fortunately, the sport and children’s toys have come a long way since then. Modern soccer balls don’t need to be tied, and they certainly aren’t made from animals. What are the best youth training soccer balls?

Best Training Soccer Ball For Youth

The best youth training soccer balls are durable and appropriately sized by age group. There are five different size options for kids, but the number ones are primarily decorative.

The size two through four are the best training soccer balls for youths but sizes 3 through 5 are used in actual games, so it depends on your child’s size.

Here are the top 3 best youth training soccer balls:

1 – SKLZ Golden Touch Weighted Training Soccer Ball For Youth – Best Overall

The SKLZ Golden Touch Weighted Soccer Technique Training Ball from Amazon is a size three-ball weighted like a size five.

This superb training ball is easy for smaller feet and outstanding for goalkeepers in training. Youths and adults can benefit from playing and practicing with this smaller model.

At just 23-24 Inches, the size three-ball is often recommended for players under the age of eight. However, this training ball is meant to work for players of all ages by helping them aim at and manage a smaller surface.

SKLZ Golden Touch Weighted Training Soccer Ball For Youth
  • Develops technique and ball control by focusing on smaller target during training
  • Official size 3 ball with official size 5 weight mimics the bounce, roll and reaction of a match ball
  • Improves all phases of the game, including dribbling, shooting, passing and receiving both short passes and driven balls
  • Perfect tool for coaches and individual training on the pitch or at home
  • Help goal keepers improve reaction time and body position during saves by tracking and catching a smaller ball

Last update on 2024-03-28 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

2 – Shoke Graffiti Cartoon Surface Training Soccer Ball For Youth – Runner Up

The Shoke Soccer Ball Size 5 Graffiti Cartoon Surface from Amazon is a superb, durable practice ball that bounces and moves like a full-size game ball.

The designs are more fun to look at. Otherwise, this ball is a standards size five ball, such as you’d see in a game.

The Shoke is appropriate for indoor and outdoor practice surfaces. Not only is this ball abrasion-resistant, but it’s also excellent at retaining air, so you won’t need to worry about flat practice equipment during training.

Shoke Graffiti Cartoon Surface Practice Training Soccer Ball For Youth
  • ⚽Soft: Great Touch and Feel. Our soccer ball with soft PU leather shell It is great for beginner to mid-level athletes, amateur and professional players train and play, recreational use. A good stress reliever.
  • ⚽Excellent Elastic & Abrasion Resistance: Special thick PU exterior material is designed to resist abrasion and last longer,great control and grip for player, PU leather material laminated with neoprene foam to increase softness and bounce. That offers smoother juggling, kicking, passing, and less chance of injury.
  • ⚽A Ball for Every Occasion: Whether your child is playing on a school team game, a recreational league match, training in the backyard indoor playground, home, the park, Indoor and outdoor or any occasion of your choosing. Or using it to play kickball, volleyball or some other sport, our soccer ball will meet all their sporting needs.
  • ⚽Water Resistant Soccer Ball: Special Thermal-Bonding technology make the size 5 soccer balls more durable and no thread broken, water will not seepage inside the body. And will provide optimal surface coverage and handling, rain or shine.
  • ⚽Non-peeling & Colorful Outer Skin: Made of high quality PU full grain leather, avoids water absorption effectively and offs stable flight path. Can always keep the strong color as new after long-term use. Great for beginner. Not easy splitting and falling apart and not easy to get dirty. Always keep bounce

Last update on 2024-03-28 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

3 – EVZOM Lightweight Training Soccer Ball For Youth – Best Budget

EVZOM Soccer Balls from Amazon make superb, cost-effective training balls. Not only are these available in sizes 3 through 5, but they also sport a thick TPU outer layer that can handle the pressure.

Meanwhile, precise machine stitching helps keep these rugged soccer balls in good condition no matter how often you train.

EZOMS have a light, soft surface, but they hold air well. These environmentally friendly, long-lasting soccer balls will see you through plenty of training and practice.

Sale
EVZOM Lightweight Training Soccer Ball For Youth
  • 【Official Size and Suitable For】Circumference (approx.): Size 3 (23.46in), suggested for ages 8 and under; Size 4 (25-26in); Size 5 (27-28in), suggested for ages 12+. check with your local league for size requirements. (* Pumps are not included, so please prepare them separately.)
  • 【Soft Cover and Excellent Elasticity】Made with TPU material, soft and light to the touch, absorbs shocks so it's less painful when receiving, and you don't feel any more pain when the ball hits your body than regular materials. Using butyl rubber inside, it has a high air retention rate and at the same time produces excellent elasticity and instantly responds to intuitively required ball control in all situations.
  • 【Stability and Lightweight Safety】 Thicker and wear resistant TPU skin can withstand strong kicks and has excellent stability. Can protect your body from injury. It is made of high quality TPU and has water-repellent processing, so it can withstand hard use, and has durability that can be used for a long time. Practice ball which is gentle to the environment, harmless to the body and safe.
  • 【Durability and Air No Leak】Using TPU material with excellent wear resistance on the surface, uses machine stitching (machine sewing) which is excellent in durability.The air pump part is strong, hard to let out air and easy to handle. * Pumps are not included, so please prepare them separately. )
  • 【Object and Long lasting】Because the surface is light and soft, it is used by beginners of soccer ball and kids Youth. Comes in sizes 3, 4, and 5 with precise stitching and official sizing so it can be used at all skill levels for training and skill building, as a good gift for children. Made with a high quality air retention bladder so you don’t have to worry about leaks or deflation.

Last update on 2024-03-28 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

What Is The Difference Between A Training Soccer Ball And A Match Ball

Many players practice with traditional game soccer balls. However, this isn’t the best idea since game balls are not designed to last as long.

In general, the difference between match balls and training balls is all about durability because you’re going to practice a lot more often than you go to games.

Match balls are usually more expensive because they are made from top-quality materials, and they have to be incredibly precise.

According to Dicks’ Sporting Goods, “Match balls are for game-play and must follow the official size, weight and shape regulations. Training balls are for practice and recreational use in a variety of playing environments. They are also more durable since they are made specifically to be used for an extended period of time.”

How Do You Pick The Best Youth Training Soccer Ball

Picking the best youth soccer training ball is about more than just having ‘a soccer ball.’ It would be best if you had a practice ball to last a lot longer than a game ball, so it needs to be made of tougher stuff.

Plus, you can opt for fun and brightly colored balls in practice that are not available for official games. Below are some of the things to consider when picking your training balls.

1 – Bladder

Modern soccer balls only barely resemble their earliest ancestors. However, the innermost part of the ball that holds air still gets its name from the original.

Always ask what the bladder in your training soccer ball is made from. The two most common types are Latex and Butyl.

While both types of liners are different, they each have a distinct advantage. Latex liners are softer and give a ball better bounce. Alternately, a butyl liner is firmer and tends to hold air for longer.

2 – Cover Materials

The outside of soccer balls are stitched together pannels. Naturally, this isn’t the same as the inner bladder that holds air because the act of stitching creates hundreds or thousands of tiny punctures—however, the material the outside of your ball is made from matters.

Soccer balls are subject to immense pressure when kicked, and they spend all day rolling along dirt, grass, and sometimes astroturf.

Ideally, you want an abrasion-resistant synthetic PU (polyurethane) leather. Manufacturers may make less expensive training balls from PVC (polyvinyl chloride), but this material is less durable.

You should also ensure that you choose a ball with a very well-sealed hole for the air pump. Fortunately, most decent soccer balls already have this installed.

3 – Size

Choosing the appropriate soccer ball size depends on your child and your goals. Smaller balls are typically lighter weight, and only sizes three to five are used in games.

A toddler might play with a size one, but they aren’t for practice. Otherwise, choose your ball based on your child’s age, or get a size five weighted ball with a smaller circumference to build skills.

Training Soccer Ball Sizes

SizeBall CircumferenceCommon Uses
120” or LessDecorative
221” – 22″Training and Footwork
323” – 24″Under eight years, Practice, Training, and Games
425” – 26″8-12 years old, Practice, Training, and Games
527” – 28″Ages 13 and up, Practice, Training, and Games

Helpful Tips To Know About The Best Youth Training Soccer Ball

On the surface, a ball is a ball, and they all look pretty much the same. However, Soccer ball construction is surprisingly complex.

Here are more helpful tips to know about the best youth soccer training ball.

  • Soccer balls have numerous lining layers between the cover and the inner bladder that holds all the air. In general, more liner layers are an indication of a high-quality ball.
  • Numerous governing bodies oversee different types of competitive soccer games. Each of these has its standards for the balls used in matches. For example, a FIFA-approved ball may not be approved by the National Federation of High School Associations or NFHS.
  • A layer of foam between the cover and bladder will give the ball additional softness. Resultantly, checking for a foam liner is a good indication of ball quality.

Final Thoughts

The most important thing about selecting a training ball is to avoid accidentally picking up a match ball because they aren’t as durable.

Once you know what to look for in a bladder, cover, and the padding layers, there’s not much else to consider.

Choose the right size for your young player, and keep in mind that a smaller ball with a higher weight will give them an advantage in matches where they’ll use a larger ball for play.

Drew Thomas

My name is Drew Thomas and I’m the creator of Fun In the Yard, your one stop site for all your outdoor games, sports, party activities, outdoor gear, and lawn & gardening tips.

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