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The Jabulani World Cup Ball - was it a problem? (by Stanley Lover)

During the 2010 FIFA World Cup the media reported complaints from players about the official tournament ball – the Jabulani. 

FIFA President Sepp Blatter kindly sent me a match ball and I can see why some players call it a ‘beach ball’. It is handsome, with a plasticky feel despite tiny surface ribs - like Morse Code dashes or long goose-pimples, added to a completely smooth skin to provide ‘grip’. It appears lighter but it has to be within official weight limits to bear the FIFA Approved quality logo.

It continues the trend of using synthetic casings in place of leather. The manufacturers adidas say the ball is as near perfection as man can devise ‘to suit the modern fast game and give the players a ball that is as precise as they are’. Also,‘It is perfectly spherical, aerodynamically-tested, with unparalleled accuracy and consistency.’

Each of the eight panels are spherically moulded and thermally bonded, so eliminating the slight stretch flexibility of sewn models.
Therein lies the ‘problem’. To maintain its shape it needs high pressure, at or near the maximum of 1.1atmos. ‘Too hard‘ say some, particularly when used on hard surfaces. True. Players cannot produce their skills properly with a high bouncing ball. So many matches are ruined by hard balls on hard grounds. 

When football is played on pitches varying from sticky mud to reinforced concrete it is not rocket science to advise referees to match the ball pressure to the pitch surface. That helps players show their proper skills. 

The 2010 pitches were mainly loose sods laid on a firm base which tended to ‘roll-up’ or dislodge large divots when players made sliding tackles. Excessive bounce was rarely a factor in problems of ball control. 

The ‘perfect’ ball needs perfect striking from ‘perfect’ players. The short answer to critics is that the players did not adapt to the characteristics of the hyper-active ball. Although available for months before the tournament it seems that coaches did not insist on serious practice to make the most of its unique qualities.

In South Africa, at dozens of important free kicks taken from scoring positions around the penalty areas, the ball was blasted over the large goal target by high profile players who had not learned to be more subtle with their striking technique.
Slow-motion replays showed the ball in back-spin mode, indicating contact below the centre of gravity which imparted a soaring trajectory over the bar. Very few players managed a top-spin shot to dip behind defensive walls and within the goal target frame. They did, at least, prove that it could be done.

An even more important observation was that long passes and crosses were frequently overweighted, putting target players out of the game and ruining potential goal chances. In just three matches I noted a total of 56 – yes, 56! – such occasions.

A few goalkeepers claimed the ball was unfair because ‘it wobbles in the air’. But, observations of many slow motion replays of shots on goal did not provide evidence to support that claim. It is probable that the circular rings marked on the ball give an illusion of wobble when spinning from off-centre contact.
Ironically, goalkeepers should have been happy, given the wild shooting attributed to the mysterious ways of the Jabulani ball.

Some players mastered its qualities but most had too little time to adapt in the tournament. Complaints about ball behaviour served only as a smokescreen for imperfect technique. 

In conclusion, the thought occurs that players at world level, paid fortunes, ought to be better at their job instead of blaming their tools.

The Jabulani did not disappear after the tournament; it can be seen in some of the current European Championship games where adidas balls are provided. Judge for yourself its reaction on firm to hard surfaces and whether the players know how to weigh their long passes and shots on goal.


Yours in sport,
Stanley Lover
©Stanley Lover 2010