Kumuena Tekasala, an occupational therapist based in Winnipeg, Canada, most recently served at River East Transcona School Division and Riverview Health Centre. Outside of work, Kumuena Tekasala enjoys an active lifestyle and is fond of playing soccer.
In soccer, there are two main types of balls that you should know about - training and match balls. Soccer training balls are designed to be used every single day as part of individual or team training. Due to their repeated use, most training soccer balls are very durable and are made from medium to high-quality materials. This not only helps them last through extended play, it also helps them stand up well to being kicked against a wall.
Match soccer balls, on the other hand, are high in quality, but the construction techniques and materials used to make them don’t promote a long life. For example, they are hand-stitched instead of machine-stitched or molded, and they feature a thicker foam layer underneath the outer PU cover, making them softer to the touch. Because of this shorter life, match balls are generally reserved for use in official matches only.
Since match balls are used in official matches, they must adhere to certain criteria laid out by various soccer organizations. They also cost more, on average, and may range in price from $60 to $120. Training balls typically cost from $20 to $80.
