I'm starting to get annoyed by commentators going on about the so called lighter ball. The way they go on about this each tournament would mean we must be using an inflated plastic bag by now!
FIFA-Approved Standard: Weight between 420 and 445 grams
adidas Jabulani: Weight 440 grams (+/- 2 grams)
At 440 grams, this ball falls at the heavier end of the allowed weight range. Whatever issues there may be with the ball, it's not that it's lighter.
Permalink
Permalink
With direct free kicks on goal the players seem to be having problems getting the ball on target. sanday2010-06-16 07:09:49
Permalink
Permalink
seems to bounce a lot higher too, could be the altitude
Permalink
Permalink
Yeah, I noticed that bounce. That's not the weight of the ball though. Have we seen the higher bounces at sea level matches?
I remember reading something about the effect of a more perfect sphere meant that the ball reacts more to imperfections in the kick, causing the ball to move around more. I've tried to find the source of that research, but it was back in 2002 and I haven't been successful. And it's entirely possible that I've misremembered the detail of the research!
Permalink
Permalink
A friend just sent me this comment:
For those who aren't aware (and wondered why the Germans were so good)
The Jabulani ball was manufactured by Adidas (a German company). The
Bundesliga has no specific deal with any company to supply match balls, so
have been able to use it since their winter break in domestic matches.
The Premier League has deal with Nike (I think) and the FA (on behalf of the
England team) has a ball deal with Umbro so must use the requisite ball on
those occasions.
However, I believe that the ball has been available to all the FAs of
qualified teams since the same time as Germany, so no proper excuse really.
The Jabulani ball was manufactured by Adidas (a German company). The
Bundesliga has no specific deal with any company to supply match balls, so
have been able to use it since their winter break in domestic matches.
The Premier League has deal with Nike (I think) and the FA (on behalf of the
England team) has a ball deal with Umbro so must use the requisite ball on
those occasions.
However, I believe that the ball has been available to all the FAs of
qualified teams since the same time as Germany, so no proper excuse really.
Interesting thought - if the ball is so different (and the construction of the exterior at least appears to be different to previous ones from http://www.soccerballworld.com/HistoryWCBalls.htm), why not do the smart thing and use it like the Bundesliga have.
Permalink
Permalink
Altitude will definitely affect the ball. Thinner air so the ball travels further, hence a lot of over hit passes and free kicks and the thinner air probably reduces the spin players impart on the ball to dip over the wall as there is less friction. I am also wondering if the altitude may actually affect the weight of the ball slightly as you don't need as much air pressure to fill the ball up so the ball could be lighter than the 440grams but I would imagine it wouldn't be below 420grams. Travelling from the coast to the highveld we had to let air out of our balls so they wouldn't pop on the way up.
Permalink
Permalink
From the nine to noon interview with Barry Glendenning:
Junior822010-06-16 13:31:25
The ball is "more round"
"Phoenix till they lose"
Posting 97% bollox, 8% lies and 3.658% genuine opinion.
Genuine opinion: FTFFA
Permalink
Permalink
From the nine to noon interview with Barry Glendenning:
The ball is "more round"
Yes, but they have put dimples on the ball to counter the air pressure/friction issue due to the roundness and less panels used in construction. I would think most balls would have encountered similar problems due to the altitude, maybe not as much as the jabulani as the thinner air might reduce the effectiveness of the dimples.
Permalink
Permalink
From the nine to noon interview with Barry Glendenning:
As per FIFA Rules the ball must be spherical. �
The ball is "more round"
�
Permalink
Permalink
As per FIFA Rules the ball must be spherical.
That doesn't mean much as a statement Hogster - there are degrees of sphericality ranging from a perfect sphere to, for example, the shape of the Earth (relatively satsuma-like).
For the record, FIFA require match balls to deviate by no more than 1.5% at 0.8 bar of pressure as tested at 20 degrees celsius and 65% humidity.
Permalink
Permalink
I'm starting to get annoyed by commentators going on about the so called lighter ball. The way they go on about this each tournament would mean we must be using an inflated plastic bag by now!
You are so right. 
Profile pic. Should you be interested. Lakhsen, on the right, lost touch with him.
Mohammed, on the left, I'm still in touch with. He's now living in Agadez, Niger. More focused on his animals now as tourism has dried up. Is active with a co-op promoting local goods, leather work and bijouterie, into Europe.
20/5/20
Mohammed, on the left, I'm still in touch with. He's now living in Agadez, Niger. More focused on his animals now as tourism has dried up. Is active with a co-op promoting local goods, leather work and bijouterie, into Europe.
20/5/20
Permalink
Permalink
At 440 grams, this ball falls at the heavier end of the allowed weight range. Whatever issues there may be with the ball, it's not that it's lighter.
FIFA require match balls to deviate by no more than
1.5% at 0.8 bar of pressure as tested at 20 degrees celsius and 65%
humidity.
Bearing all that in mind, I think there isnt any excuse for anyone. Especially as both teams have been training with it, and both are using the same ball on the park. I think the wind is more of a factor in games.
Permalink
Permalink
Don't know if the ball is to blame but every free kick that has been a shot on goal this tournament has been a disgrace and the ball is definitely bouncing higher. Can't always be altitude as not every game is at altitude and we had no problems in Austria and Switzerland two years ago.
Three for me, and two for them.
Permalink
Permalink
I think Bullion might be onto something though. However, I can't remember whether all the high bounces have been altitude games? FIFA match balls also undergo rebound tests at 20 degrees (135-155 cm) and 5 degrees (min 125cm), with the maximum difference between lowest and highest rebound per ball of 10cm. They have the ball pressure at 0.8 bar and each ball is dropped 10 times onto different surface panels from a height of 2 metres onto a steel panel. They don't say, but I assume they perform the test at sea level?
Buffoon - I just checked and the elevation at Austria and Switzerland was 3 to 4 times lower than the altitudes involved at South Africa. (It was a surprise to me too!)
Permalink
Permalink
Buffoon - I just checked and the elevation at Austria and Switzerland was 3 to 4 times lower than the altitudes involved at South Africa. (It was a surprise to me too!)
Really? Interesting stat that. My point stands though that not every match at this tournament is at altitude yet the ball performs virtually the same every time.
Hopefully as the tournament goes on players will get more used to it. Because at the moment it looks like they don't have full control over it.
Three for me, and two for them.
Permalink
Permalink
Agreed. And some of the high bounces certainly exceed that FIFA defined test condition!
Permalink
Permalink