There’s one thing that you’ll do a lot of as a soccer player… You will train. To do all that training you’ll need multiple soccer balls. The good thing is training soccer balls are often cheaper than match balls. You can use any of these balls to play at home or at your local field. They can also be used as everyday practice balls for youth teams.
Below you’ll find our top choices for training soccer balls. As I mentioned they tend to be less expensive than game-day balls, but are usually a bit more rugged than the higher-end balls.
If you’re not sure what type of ball is best for you, check out our Soccer Ball Buying Guide.
Top 4 Practice Soccer Balls
Practice balls are cheaper soccer balls than premium match balls. But their purpose is to last longer. So if you are looking for a ball to kick all summer (maybe more than one summer) this would be the best choice.
1. adidas Starlancer V Club Soccer Ball
Adidas is one of the most recognized brands when it comes to sporting equipment. Their quality standards and attention to detail lead to unmatched products that guarantee high performance. The adidas Starlancer V Club Soccer Ball is our top glider model and is specially made for training, practice, and recreational purposes. The ball is great for heading drills and dribbling as it is neither too hard nor too soft. This makes it an ideal choice for players who are looking to perfect their dribble skills.
The outer casing of this practice ball consists of Thermoplastic Polyurethane (TPU) and is machine stitched. This guarantees the durability of the ball and makes the training ball water-resistant. It is also built with a butyl bladder for the best air retention. These features and materials limit wear and tear which ages the ball over time and interferes with its performance.
Plus it comes in a variety of sizes and colors.
- Durable
- Water-resistant
- Soft feel
- High air retention
- Available in sizes 3, 4 and 5
- A variety of colors offered
- Performance is restricted if used for other purposes other than practice
- Only for grass or similar settings, not hard surfaces
2. One World Soccer Ball
Soccer is the most common sport in the world. Unfortunately, not everyone gets to enjoy or appreciate it in all of its glory. The company behind this training soccer ball is on a mission to donate one ball for each one bought. This motivates users to purchase in the hope of supporting this mission and a fellow needy player out there.
However, besides this noble cause, this soccer ball has rightfully earned a mention due to its quality and performance. It is specially meant for competitive tournament play.
This soccer ball is virtually indestructible. The manufacturers have designed it to withstand any challenge yet still keep afloat. It can be run over by a truck yet it will still maintain its balance. Set it ablaze and it will still hold its ground. Instead of air, this ball uses a unique foam known as ethylene-vinyl acetate foam. With this, the ball will never need a pump and will never go flat even when punctured. This special foam reinflates the ball when the need arises. This is a durable ball and you can use it on all types of playgrounds: concrete, grass, sand, or any other surface.
- Durable
- Indestructible
- No need to inflate the ball
- Adequate rebound
- Available in sizes 4 and 5 hence can accommodate a wider spectrum of players
- Heavier than a typical soccer ball
- Expensive
3. Adidas miCoach Smart Soccer Ball
When it comes to high-tech sporting equipment, Adidas takes the lead. This is a unique soccer ball that’s designed for soccer players who are serious about their training. Its price may be higher than any other sporting equipment out there but its performance and advanced abilities make it a one-of-a-kind ball.
Besides kicking it around, this ball acts as a coach. It will give you instant feedback on the spin, power, trajectory, the strike point of your kick and you can also track the flight path of each kick as well.
This ball uses installed sensors in it. These sensors collect data and share it with your iOs and Android app via Bluetooth. Additionally, it gives you tips on how to improve your performance and compares kicks to keep track of your progress. Minimal maintenance is required as a single charge of this smart ball takes an hour and will facilitate about 2000 kicks each week. Its casing uses PU and the bladder – butyl. This ball has 32 thermal bonded panels hence increased control.
- High speed and better control
- Durable
- High air retention
- Updates on progress
- Expensive
4. Mikasa Serious Soccer (SS Series) Ball
This is one of the best and most affordable soccer balls from Mikasa. Expect high performance without having to spend a fortune on it. For a training soccer ball, this one is quite soft hence ideal for foot dribbles and head-butting. This is due to its soft composite cover and the unique machine stitching panels. This is a factor that facilitates control for younger players. A keen look will tell that younger players usually find it difficult to control hand-stitched soccer balls. It is available in three sizes; 3, 4, and 5 hence friendly to different users and has different functions. The double stitching on the panels adds life to it and makes it more resistant to tear.
- Better control
- High air retention
- Ideal for practice/ training
- Available in sizes 3, 4 and 5
- Affordable
- Durable stitching
- Not durable if used on concrete or beach setting
