Care & Maintenance of Your Soccer Ball

The official ball of Major League Soccer  - the Teamgeist 2 MLS.

The soccer ball is a fundamental piece of equipment we use in playing the game.  While most of the balls we use tend to cost $20 - $40, a top end match ball like the one pictured above can cost up to $130.  Take care of your ball to ensure long life and optimal performance.

Taking Care of the Ball

Don't sit on your soccer ball while your coach is talking to you.  It will warp the shape and the ball won't fly true when kicked.

Do clean the ball occasionally.  Usually wiping it down with a damp cloth will be good enough.  You can add a few drops of dish soap to remove excess dirt.  Avoid harsh cleansers and/or running water - you don't want to trap a bunch of moisture under the cover of the ball.

Do play on turf or grass - the ball was designed for this playing surface.  If you play on concrete or asphalt - as in wall drills - consider using a cheaper ball for this kind of practice.  It's definitely going to wear out your ball quickly.

Getting the Best Performance Out of Your Ball

The single most important factor in getting the best performance from your ball is proper inflation pressure.  Over/under inflation degrades the performance of the ball and your ability to make it do what you want.  No fun.

The correct inflation pressure will be printed on the ball.  Use that pressure.  To efficiently inflate, I like two-stroke ball pumps like the adidas Mini Max Pro.

Use a low pressure air gauge to test for proper inflation.  You can get one here or use a bike pump in a pinch.  However the pressure gauge on a bike pump is not designed for accuracy at the low pressures used in a soccer ball.  Most soccer balls have a pressure rating of 6 to 8 psi.

You can use a drop or two of silicone oil or spray lubricant on the valve opening of your ball.  It'll definitely make inflating easier and may help in preventing air loss through a dried up valve.

Some manufacturers want you to reduce the pressure in your match balls between uses - I call that high maintenance, but if you're a fanatic, ok.  Maybe it's worth doing if you have one of those really really nice ones.

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