What Soccer ball for my 5 year old?

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Ah yes the moment every parent awaits, watching their five year old child play recreational soccer. The first moments that will tell us if our young 5 year old will have some interest in playing the great game of soccer. We can’t wait to throw the 5 year old out there on the soccer field so he can join the other 5 year olds in chasing a soccer ball aimlessly around the field. We just hope as parents that our child can kick the ball in the right direction.

But before we can get to this pivotal moment, there are numerous questions that have to be answered. Like what size soccer ball is for my 5 year old? Does the size, brand, or color even matter. What impact does the ball actually have on the developmet of a five year old soccer player? Well lets review all these questions and help you decide on the best soccer ball for your young soccer superstar!

What size soccer ball for a 5 year old?

FIFA and other soccer federations have recommended that a five year old use what they refer to as a “size 3 soccer ball”. They will use this size until they are 10 years old. It is fine if five year olds kick around another size soccer ball but you want to minimize the amount of time they spend with a size 4 or 5 soccer ball. The reason for this is that the impact of kicking a heavier ball takes a toll on any child’s muscles, tendons, and joints. This doesn’t mean that they will break their leg by kicking a larger ball, but the repetitive impact of kicking a much larger and heavier ball over a long period of time could due some detrimental damage down the road. This should not scare anyone, it would take a large amount of time. So to be safe, just limit the time they spend kicking a much larger ball.

The other more important reason that the child should have a smaller ball is because it helps them develop their coordination. Think about other sports and how they improve their skills. Basketball players use tennis balls to dribble to improve their hand eye coordination. Baseball players hit golf balls or smaller waffle balls to improve their vision. The same way the other sports do it is the same way that a smaller ball is important for younger soccer players, especially 5 year olds. So if you want to assist in player development, use a size 3 or smaller soccer ball for your 5 year old.

So what about the soccer brand of soccer ball for a five year old child? The truth is that it really won’t make much of a difference. As long as the ball can keep the shape and stay inflated. The color is also irrelevant, but i think you were already aware of this. The important part is that the child is happy with their ball. You want your five year old to continue playing and stay interested in playing. You want your 5 year old child to love their soccer ball and view it as toy, which is what it should be. So if your daughter wants a soccer ball with pink flowers, it’s totally ok. As long as she loves playing with it. If your son wants his favorite superhero ball, as long as he enjoys playing and improving.

So what is the conclusion and our recommendation?

We recommend the Adidas MLS Glider ball because of the following reasons.

synthetic cover for a low price
Part of the MLS Soccer collection, the design is inspired by the three MLS pillars of club, country, and community. This gives you the parent several different options for color and design.
Machine stitched construction and internal nylon wound carcass for maximum durability and long-lasting performance. So the perfect ball for that five year old superstar to kick all their goals at the game, at practice, and at home.
Special TPU exterior material is designed to resist abrasion and last longer for that long last training and development plan designed for your 5 year old child.
Butyl bladder for best air retention to keep the ball’s shape and stay inflated longer. The longer life means your child will have their favorite ball for a longer time, which will help them stay engaged and playing!!
The Adidas MLS Glider ball offers so many sizes!!!!
Size 1 is a mini ball designed for kids of all ages; size 3 ball suggested for ages 8 and under; size 4 ball suggested for ages 8-12; size 5 ball (official size) suggested for ages 12+; check with your local league for size requirements if you are looking for a game ball. But if you just want a practice ball, you can’t go wrong with this one!