We used to bring our own footballs for each session. Over the past few months, we have been using the balls provided by our regular venues – The Cage, Sports Planet and the Premier Pitch. These can be very worn due to frequent use.
They are also of various types and sizes:
- Standard size-5 footballs.
- Standard size-4 footballs
- Standard futsals (size-4 and harder).
For a while, there was a preference for standard size-4 balls, and I tried to make sure there was one available at each session., but it proved too administratively difficult.
FIFA-administered futsal is played on a hard court with a size-4 ball “with a low bounce (30% reduced)”. That is why it “tends to stick”. It is suitable for hard courts, but not entirely suitable for the artificial turf we play on. (In fact, what we play isn’t futsal at all – it’s generic “indoor football”.)
I’d rather stick with standard size-4 footballs. As they’re smaller and lighter, they make the game faster while at the same time, improving skill by requiring better technique to control the ball, dribble and pass. As they’re lighter, the impact on ankles, knees, hips and wrists from shooting and saving, and the consequential risk of injury, are also marginally reduced.
The next question is how to make sure that a standard size-4 ball is available at every session. For now, I suggest that anyone who can buys one, and collects $1 extra from each person in subsequent sessions that person plays until the cost is covered. A standard size-4 ball should cost between $20 and $30, so if you’re collecting $9 from each session, you’ll cover the cost after 3 sessions. Anyone who buys a ball also needs to remember to bring it for each session, and to take it back with them.
Moving on to shoes, I suggest that if you’re getting a new pair, you get one with multiple rubber “pimples” on the soles. Although shoes with blades are seen as being suitable for both grass pitches and artificial pitches, they do increase the risk of injury to opponents.
Shin pads, knee, ankle and wrist guards or support, gloves and goggles are all optional.
Ultimately, each of us is responsible for our own safety, with due regard for the safety of others.
