The tests that a football passes to receive a FIFA quality mark

The seven tests
that a football
has to pass to receive
a FIFA quality mark

Test 2:
Permanent roundness

FIFA football test permanent roundness

If a ball is not completely round, it will not fly through the air normally. So, despite aiming your shot perfectly on goal, it might easily fly past the post. The diameter of the ball is measured in 16 places and the average diameter calculated.

The difference between the highest and lowest diameter must be no more than 2% for the FIFA INSPECTED and 1.5% for the FIFA APPROVED quality mark.

Test 2: Permanent roundness

Even the world's best goalkeepers are helpless when dead-ball specialists like David Beckham, Roberto Carlos and Alessandro Del Piero swiftly and stylishly lift the ball over the defensive wall and arrow it into the top corner of the net. Practically impossible to stop, such impressive free kicks are long remembered by the fans.

How do you curl the ball from free kicks and for long passes?

  1. Outside of the foot. If you are using your right foot, strike the left side of the ball with the outside of your foot and follow through in a curve. The ball will curl from left to right. Left-footed players should do precisely the opposite.

  2. Inside of the foot. For right-footed players, this technique allows you to curl the ball from right to left. In contrast to using the outside of the foot, you use the inside of your foot to strike the right-hand side of the ball if you are right-footed or the left-hand side of the ball if you are left-footed.

No matter which side of the foot you are using, remember to lean back when you strike the ball if you want to give the pass or shot greater height. This is particulary important if you want to lift a shot over a defensive wall.