The story behind this ball
This FIFA Quality Pro soccer ball includes thermobonding technology (seamless) to guarantee perfect sphericity and more precise shots. In addition, this technology ensures better waterproofing while training in the rain. Lastly, to make the ball as round as possible, we laminated the bladder with a band of fabric.
A beach ball?
We know that a stable trajectory is important for players, especially goalkeepers, when kicking long balls. The F 900 Soccer Ball has 12 identical panels, instead of the traditional 32. These 12 thermobonded panels include special grooves. This significantly improves the ball’s stability, making it more enjoyable to play with.
Exclusive to Kipsta
We know that little details make all the difference during games. For this F 900 Soccer Ball, we focused on having a stable trajectory so that players and keepers could better read the ball in the air. To do that, we tested different panel patterns for the outside and went with the one that achieved the best results. This ball’s embossed lines and 12-panel design is exclusive to Kipsta.
Did you say FIFA Quality Pro?
We conduct numerous tests to provide soccer players with excellent accuracy while competing. Each test is outlined below.
Too light? Too heavy? The weight is standardized.
This ball complies with official FIFA standards and weighs between 420 g and 445 g (size 5).
FIFA Quality Pro ball.
How big is it? What’s the circumference?
This ball measures between 68.5 cm and 69.5 cm (size 5) and complies with official FIFA standards.
FIFA Quality Pro ball. Between 68.5 and 69.5 cm.
A round ball?
Here’s how we test sphericity:
Average measured variation: 1.5% max (FIFA Quality Pro standard).
We measure the ball’s sphericity at 4,500 different points and then examine any differences.
If the discrepancy is greater than 1.5% (FIFA Quality Pro standard), our engineers work on improving the sphericity to ensure a consistent bounce.
Maximum pressure loss test: here’s what we do.
Here’s how we test pressure loss: We inflate the ball to the recommended pressure (11.6 psi).
The ball cannot lose more than 15% of its pressure over 72 hours, meaning a maximum pressure loss of 1.5 psi (FIFA Quality Pro standard). The pressure after 72 hours must be approximately 10.1 psi.
This also means that it’s quite normal for a ball to lose pressure after a few days.
We’ve also tested how much water the ball absorbs.
Here’s how we test water absorption:
To simulate rainy playing conditions in a lab, we put the ball in 2 cm of water on a pivoting support and subject it to 250 compressions.
At the end of the test, the ball must not have absorbed more than 10% of its initial weight (FIFA Quality Pro standard). This is an advantage of thermobonded designs; water absorption is limited in comparison to other designs (machine-stitched, for example)
It’s all about the bounce
Here’s the bounce test:
The ball is dropped onto a steel plate 10 times from a height of 2 metres.
The bounce height must be between 135 cm and 155 cm, with a maximum difference of 10 cm between its highest and lowest bounce.
Not even a scratch!
The most rigorous test we put this ball through is the shooting machine test.
It has to withstand up to 2,500 shots against an inclined concrete surface at 50 km/h from a distance of 2.5 m.
At the end of the test, we check:
- The ball’s general condition: Stitching must remain intact
- Circumference: Must not have varied by more than 1.0%
- Sphericity: Must not have varied by more than 1.5%
Pressure: Pressure loss must not exceed 10.0%
How about you? What do you think?
We value your feedback and use it to continuously improve our products. A huge thank you in advance for sharing your feedback with us.
