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What size of football

  • 22-02-2021 12:53pm
    #1
    KayJay86
    Registered Users Posts: 66 ✭✭


    What size of football should I buy for my 4 year old to practice some drills in the garden? He was in a training group last year with our local club for Nusery/P1 ages (in the north) but I don't know which balls they were using. Didn't expect to see so many types in the online shops - Size 4, Size 5, Quick Touch, First Touch, Smart Touch.


Comments

  • #2
    KayJay86
    Registered Users Posts: 66 ✭✭KayJay86


    Oh, didn't realise the different touches have different sizes within them. What's the difference?


  • #3
    startrek56
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 89 ✭✭startrek56


    KayJay86 wrote: »
    Oh, didn't realise the different touches have different sizes within them. What's the difference?

    actually go with the quick touch.... for a 4 year old they wont see any difference


  • #4
    Uncle Pierre
    Registered Users Posts: 1,455 ✭✭✭Uncle Pierre


    Am involved with the nursery group in my own club - kids as young as 3, and no older than 7. My advice would be to go for a size 4 ball, something like this:
    https://www.thegaastore.com/en/Mc-Keever-Go-First-Touch-Gaelic-Football/m-1143.aspx

    That's not the exact brand we use ourselves, but close enough to it. And for what it's worth, have bought other stuff myself from that site a few times, and was always happy with it.


  • #5
    KayJay86
    Registered Users Posts: 66 ✭✭KayJay86


    Thanks folks, appreciate it.


  • #6
    ChippingSodbury
    Registered Users Posts: 1,343 ✭✭✭ChippingSodbury


    As far as I remember,
    U16 upwards: Size 5
    U14: Size 4
    U12: Smart Touch
    U10: Quick Touch
    U8 and lower: First Touch

    As you move from First Touch to Size 5, the ball gets progressively bigger, heavier and harder. Don't buy a ball that's meant for an older age group because the kid won't get their kicking or catching techniques correct. Every kids wants to show you how far they can kick: if the ball is too heavy or too big, they won't get it very far.


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  • #7
    rpurfield
    Registered Users Posts: 2,103 ✭✭✭rpurfield


    First touch and quick touch are smaller and lighter than the size 4 so bear that in mind. My eldest lad is using the size four at U13 but the 8 year old finds it too heavy! It's a couple of years since we bought the first touch but it was only €10 or a bit under.


  • #8
    Uncle Pierre
    Registered Users Posts: 1,455 ✭✭✭Uncle Pierre


    Have to admit I always considered a First Touch ball to be a Size 4. Maybe it's actually a bit smaller. Either way, First Touch is the thing to go for.


  • #9
    KayJay86
    Registered Users Posts: 66 ✭✭KayJay86


    Got it ordered. Thanks again all.


  • #10
    rpurfield
    Registered Users Posts: 2,103 ✭✭✭rpurfield


    Uncle Pierre wrote: »
    Have to admit I always considered a First Touch ball to be a Size 4. Maybe it's actually a bit smaller. Either way, First Touch is the thing to go for.

    Yeah there isn't much in but it is lighter too.


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