Straight out of the box, a new football often feels stiffer and bounces a little unpredictably compared to one that's been used for a few sessions. A proper break-in period — and some basic care afterward — keeps it performing consistently for much longer.

Breaking In a New Ball

1. Check the pressure first. Most match and training balls perform best around 0.6–0.8 bar (8.5–11.6 psi) — check the ball's printed specification, as this varies by size and model.
2. Start with light touches. A few sessions of passing and light kicking helps the panels and stitching settle naturally, rather than immediately taking hard shots on a completely stiff ball.
3. Avoid rough surfaces early on. Where possible, break in a new ball on grass or a clean indoor surface rather than rough concrete or gravel, which can prematurely wear the panel surface.
4. Rotate contact points. Regular passing and light juggling helps the ball round out evenly, rather than developing a favoured “flat spot” from repeated hard hits in one direction.

Choosing the Right Size

• Size 3 — typically for young children, around ages 8 and under.
• Size 4 — suited to youth players, roughly ages 8–12.
• Size 5 — the standard size for adult and competitive youth football from around age 13 upward.

Caring for Your Football Long-Term

• Check pressure regularly — footballs naturally lose a small amount of air over time, and an underinflated ball affects both feel and durability.
• Wipe down after wet or muddy sessions rather than letting mud dry into the panel stitching.
• Store at room temperature, away from direct sun or extreme cold, both of which can affect the panel material and stitching over time.
• Avoid fully deflating for storage — keep a small amount of air in the ball rather than flattening it completely, which can stress the seams.

Take a look at our football range, including hand-stitched match balls in multiple sizes and national team editions.