Spalding Rookie Gear Soccer Ball

I cannot say enough great things about this "rookie gear" product line from Spaulding that they came out with recently. If Spaulding has hired some exercise physiologist and biomechanics (which I am one) to their product and design staff - THANK YOU! For parents out there with children 5-7 years old looking for entry level sporting goods balls (football, soccer and basketball), I cannot tell you how much these will go for your children's enjoyment, not to mention, to your kid's proper skill development. The football is pee wee size. My 7-yr old son can use the football now, but it's still a tick too big for his hands. I believe Spaulding makes a mini size too for kids under 6 or 7. Since the football is 25% lighter, he can throw the ball farther and faster which of course, he enjoys. Most importantly, he can throw it with proper mechanics. Since the ball is a little bigger and lighter, he has more confidence catching the ball too. I've read alot of youth flag football leagues are using these rookie gear footballs for their leagues so their kids get more enjoyment and performance in their games.We own the soccer ball too (size 3 only)......awesome product. Lighter so the boys can safely kick the ball with more control. They don't have to wildly swing their legs trying to kick the ball far. The soccer ball and basketball are more "dead" in their rebound action and feel. For this age, this is a good thing.....more control on the ball and lower and slower rebounding from the bounce. It really does help reduce the ball bouncing back as much back into your kid's face. You're going to have a tough time not getting your kids to not touch the soccer ball with their hands. The lighter ball allows them to catch the ball easier too - with more confidence. If you want to teach your kid to use their head, they will appreciate the lighter weight/softer soccer ball. My 7yr old son is now starting to use his chest to stop and control shots (he thinks it's neat to use more than his feet - but still forgets to put his arms up sometimes). The lighter ball and reduced rebound just makes this easier for him to execute. I think we'll get a standard size 3 soccer ball once my son reaches 8 years old next year.The Spaulding rookie gear basketball is the real gem in the product line. The lighter weight allows younger kids to get the ball up to the 8' basketball goal with better mechanics.....no more of this side-arm, throwing or heaving a heavier basketball up there to the rim. This only reinforces this aweful muscle memory that coaches have to spend years re-teaching once they reach 8-10 years old. Like the soccer ball, the basketball has a more "dead" action or feel to it. This is a good thing. These are shorter, younger kids using these products. They do not need a ball that rebounds as high and as fast as a normal basketball. They need to ball to rebound accordingly to their skill level (young kids need more reaction time) and height (lower). We got the colored striped basketball for my boys because (a) that's the one they wanted because it looks more fun, but (b) I can quickly identify it at the gym or park. If my son really wants to play organized basketball in a year or two, then we'll get him a regulation junior basketball. But, I'll be happy that he is learning proper mechanics in the meantime.Overall, the quality of the products are great. We've owned the basketball for several months and just received the soccer ball and football a week ago. Look, these rookie gear balls are for boys and girls from 5-8 yr old kids using these things. They are just not going to tear them up like older kids and adults would. I really think you're be very satisfied with these products - consider them like toddler cloths. You'll get about 3-4 years out of them. In my experience, the basketball is best for kids 6-9. The lighter weight soccer (size 3) is best for younger, say 4-7. The pee-wee size football is best for 7-9.

We used these for our rec. Program as game balls for U4, U6, and U8. They were great! These are not official weight balls, so I would not recommend these for competitive play, but I would highly recommend them for recreational play.These balls are built lighter which is great, because a lot of kids who are playing rec. Spend too much time over emphasizing hitting the ball harder. The lighter ball lets them focus on technique and makes game much more exciting. Our recreational program referees had nothing, but great things to say about these. After all they see every game played! They made comments how the kids could kick the ball much further and that the game moved better than with the other balls. They said it was much funner to watch the games, because it seemed like they were watching older kids play. Players were able to actually clear goal areas during goal kicks, corner kicks were actually a play, and they got to see some shots on goal from out of the box!This ball makes the game more exciting for both player and spectator and I would highly recommend it for recreational programs. They are a bit pricey so we only got them for game day. For practice the teams used regular balls which is good to help them get used to the heavier ball anyway.We bought 8 of these and they all held up nicely throughout the year. We planned this as an experimental project and it was successful there was a difference in the way the game was played and we will be using these again for the same age brackets on game days.

Had this for a year or so. Kids are little so they didn't play with it all that much. The ball deflated a bit as the things do. Now I can't inflate it because hile to the inner shell is no longer lined up with the hole in the outer shell. Maybe they are connected? Or maybe they are secured by something in the fill hole that broke WAY too easily? Either way it's in the trash now.

The first ball arrived partially inflated and would not hold air. Contacted seller for a new ball and return of the old one. Fast shipment of the new ball, which arrived perfectly inflated. Return was easy to accomplish. Grandson is very happy with the ball.

Our son (age 6) is just starting out in recreation soccer and we needed a nice inexpensive soccer ball to get him started. With an older daughter who plays travel soccer we knew we'd be purchasing multiple balls over the years and wanted to start him off with a ball that provided a good combination of quality and price. (I know it's just a soccer ball, but it's annoying to have to buy more than one during the season because it wears out prematurely) An additional goal, though not as important, was finding a ball that stands out visually in a crowd of 1-2 dozen other balls.This yellow ball was an excellent purchase and met all our needs. The ball is durable, well made and hold air well. It's also extremely visible in a sea of balls, most of which come from our local big box retailer or sporting goods store and therefore often look exactly the same.

This size 3 Spalding Soccer Ball was purchased for my 6 yr. old grandson for his birthday. He loves it, it has so many playful colors and just screams FUN to the kids when they go out to play. He uses it in the backyard with his brother as well as when he plays soccer with friends on a team. Spalding did a nice job with the design for young kids, quality is good as well, not boring at all. Got his brother, 8 yrs old, a soccer ball for his birthday too, but not one this colorful. Now they both go out and play with this Spalding Ball. Well made and perfect for young soccer players. Got the goal new and cones as well.

Just received the ball fully inflated. The other ball (Wilson) I received together lost some air, so I assume this one holds air better?

Great product. Great communication by seller, would buy again