Our design team created this hybrid ball after observing football players in action on the pitch.This ball is a hybrid because its design combines the comfort of a machine-stitched ball with the durability of a hand-sewn one.We also used a bladder with a special design (2 km of thread is wrapped around the bladder) to ensure lasting inflation and better sphericity.

We know that a stable trajectory is important, especially for field players kicking long balls and for goalkeepers sending the ball down the pitch. To ensure very good stability, we have changed the construction of the outer layer. Traditionally designed using 32 panels, we've designed the F550 using 24 identical panels. This improves the stability of the ball and makes it more comfortable to play with.

This ball weighs between 350 g and 390 g (size 4) and complies with official FIFA standards.FIFA Basic approved.

This ball measures between 63.5 cm and 66.0 cm (size 4) and complies with official FIFA standards.FIFA Basic approved.

Here's how we test sphericity:Average measured variation: 1.8% max (FIFA Basic certification).We measure the football's sphericity at 4500 different points and then examine any differences.If the discrepancy is greater than 1.8 % (FIFA Basic Standard), our engineers are tasked with improving the sphericity to ensure a consistent bounce.

Here's how we test pressure loss: We inflate the ball to the recommended pressure (meaning 0.8 bar).72 hours later, the ball must not have lost more than 15% of its pressure, meaning approx. 0.1 bar (FIFA Basic certification). The pressure after 72 hours must, therefore, be at approx. 0.7 bar.This also means that it is quite normal for a ball to lose pressure after a few days.

Here's how we test water absorption:We simulate rainy playing conditions in a lab, leaving the ball to sit in 2 cm of water on a pivoting support whilst subjecting it to 250 compressions.At the end of the test, the ball must have absorbed no more than 10% of its weight (FIFA Basic certification).

Here's the bounce test:The ball is dropped onto a steel plate 10 times from a height of 2 metres.The bounce height must be between 110 and 160 cm with a maximum difference of 10 cm between the ball's highest and lowest bounce.

The most stringent test we put this ball through is the shooting machine test.The ball must withstand 2500 shots against an inclined concrete surface at 50 km/h from a distance of 2.5 m.At the end of the test, we check:- the ball's general state: stitching must withstand this test- the circumference: must not have increased by more than 1.5 cm.- the sphericity: it must not have varied by over 1.8%- the pressure: loss of pressure must not exceed 12.5%.

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