Soccer balls have a standard and come in different sizes. Based on information from Wikipedia, the regulation size and weight for a soccer ball are a circumference of 68–70 cm (27–28 in) and a weight of between 410–450 g (14–16 oz). The ball should be inflated to a pressure of 0.6 and 1.1 bars (8.7 and 16.0 psi) at sea level.
Regardless, constantly pumping up a soccer ball is a surefire way to damage the interior. Especially when you’re doing it to the point where the ball is so full of air that it’s almost bursting at the seams.
This can cause the ball to split at the seams or even come apart completely. If you ever find yourself in this unfortunate situation, here are a few tips on how to deflate a soccer ball and keep the fun going:
How to deflate a soccer ball with a needle?
An inflation needle and a pump would be required for this process and the inflation needle has to be plugged into the pump.
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Look for the valve
Do well to look for a tiny hole in the outer cover of the ball that has the size of a nail’s head. Meanwhile, finding it should not be a major challenge as some soccer balls come with a signalized valve.
Lubricate the inflation needle
Any kind of lubricant would suffice for this task. Even saliva could be useful here.
Insert the needle into the valve
This should only be done after you’ve found the valve. Also, note that the valve’s position may change if the ball is slightly deflated. Slowly insert the needle to avoid any damage.
Release the air from the soccer ball
The pump ensures that the ball does not release all the air at once as this would not be ideal. The pump comes with an inflation mechanism that would ensure that there is resistance to the air coming from the ball, thus reducing the speed.
Press the ball a bit
Finally, softly squeeze the ball to help the air out of the bladder. Don’t apply too much strength and also ensure that the inflation need is well placed during the process.
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Other ways to deflate a soccer ball the right way
1. Make sure your ball is evenly inflated
This may seem like a no-brainer, but make sure you’re inflating your soccer ball evenly.
Over-inflating a soccer ball can cause it to burst while under-inflating a ball can make it too soft and negatively affect its performance.
So, to avoid any damage or injury, make sure you’re inflating your ball evenly to ensure it holds up throughout the season.
1. Don’t pump the air out
One of the worst things you can do when deflating a soccer ball is to try to pump the air out of it. While this may seem like the logical thing to do, you’ll end up doing more harm than good in the long run.
The best thing to do when you’re done using the ball is to simply place it in the trash and leave it there.
Not only will this prevent the ball from getting squashed or damaged in any way, but it will also prevent the ball from getting moldy and gross. If you try to pump out the air, you’ll just end up leaving a big mess for somebody else to deal with.
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1. Roll the ball between your hands
This tip may seem a little odd, but hear us out. Taking the ball in your hands and rolling it back and forth will help to reduce the air pressure inside the ball.
As you’re rolling the ball back and forth, the pressure inside the ball will decrease and ultimately cause it to deflate.
1. Twist the top
If you’ve ever had a water balloon fight as a kid, you’ve probably used this trick before. If not, think of how a water balloon feels when you put your hands inside it and twist it.
By twisting the top, you’re effectively collapsing the air inside the ball, causing it to deflate much as a normal balloon would.
1. Take your time and deflate it a little at a time
If you try to get the ball completely deflated in one shot, you could end up with a giant mess on your hands. Instead, take your time getting the ball to a smooth, gentle state of deflation. This way, you’ll minimize any damage and be able to clean up a lot less than if you try to do it in one shot.
Keep playing with it!
Remember when we said that deflating a ball is better than letting it go completely flat? Well, that’s mostly because it is.
Destroying a perfectly good soccer ball is a sure way to feel bad, but there is a silver lining. By using some of these tips, you can easily repair a ball and bring it back to life.
So, if you end up breaking the ball or accidentally puncturing it, don’t stress too much about it. Simply use one of these tips to fix the problem and get back to having fun.
Now that you know how to deflate a soccer ball and keep the fun going throughout the fall and winter, you’re all set.
Kenneth is a an avid soccer follower, fan and writer. He is a consistent follower of the sport and is a fan of Chelsea FC.