NIKE Essential Ball Pump Intl 027 Ball Pump, Unisex

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If you look after a modern football, it should last for months — even with regular use. So don’t play with your footballs on concrete, and never hit them against walls. If you want to practice passing and control on your own, invest in a rebounder net. Also, never stand or sit on balls, as this will permanently deform them. Yes, you can deflate footballs very easily. In fact, this is something many grassroots football coaches do every week, as it saves space in bags and car boots. An overinflated ball poses a number of problems, but the main issue is its unpredictability. Harder to control and unpredictable, an overinflated ball moves around the air in ways that seem to defy the laws of physics. An overinflated ball, however, won’t go as far, and it probably won’t travel as fast. For most footballs the deflation process is simple. Insert an inflation needle into the ball’s inflation hole. This will open the valve. And instead of pumping air inside, squeeze the ball hard to push the air out. Look After Your Footballs

Today’s footballs have a one-way valve within the inflation hole. This means air doesn’t escape when you remove the inflation needle. Can I Deflate My Footballs? But if you’re pumping several training balls once or twice a week, it might be worth investing in an electric football pump. Equipped with all the parts you’ll ever need to inflate footballs, this powerful gadget can inflate the average size 5 football in less than 30 seconds. It also comes with an in-built pressure gauge, so you know when to stop inflating for perfect ball performance.

How to Inflate a Football Correctly

The needle of your football pump should be inserted into the ball’s inflation hole very carefully. Try to avoid inserting it at an angle, as this could result in damage to the bladder inside. If there’s resistance, try lubricated the inflation needle with some cooking oil. Once you’re confident the needle is in place, you can start pumping air into the ball. If you have a hand pump, you’ll need good, old-fashioned elbow grease. And that’s fine if you’re just pumping up one ball occasionally. Did you ever have to make do with a partially deflated football when you were a child? If you’re of a certain age, you’ll remember such an occurrence. If only someone had a pump, eh? Because even a partially underinflated football can significantly change the way it plays. Thankfully, football pumps are cheap and ubiquitous these days. But this counts for nothing if you don’t know how to inflate a football properly. What Are FIFA’s Regulations on Soccer Ball Pressure?

According to FIFA, a regulation football must be 8.5PSI and 15.6PSI at sea level. This is quite a large range, but different leagues and associations have specific ball pressure guidelines. The MLS, for example, stipulates that match balls should be inflated to 13PSI.