DRIBBLING.

A player who can keep a ball close to his feet whilst running at full speed and dummying round other players is a joy to watch. But the player can only do this when the slightest touch moves the ball exactly the distance and angle he expects it to.
 

CIRCUMFERENCE.

The circumference of the ball must be the same all round so that it will move predictably. The diameter of the ball is measured at 10 different points and the mean average calculated. FIFA Inspected balls should measure from 68.0 - 70.0 cm, FIFA Approved balls from 68.5 cm - 69.5 cm.
     
  BENDING THE BALL.

This much-admired skill is achieved by the player striking the ball with the side of his foot to put a spin on it which makes it curve in flight. But the roundness of the ball must be perfect to ensure that the trajectory of its path is even, otherwise a ball intended for the top corner of the net may simply pass centimetres outside the goal post!
  ROUNDNESS.

A slightly uneven seam can change the ball's shape by a fraction. In this test, the diameter of the ball is measured at 16 points and the mean average calculated. The difference between the highest and lowest diameter must be no more than a percentage of the mean diameter: 2% for FIFA Inspected, 1.5% for FIFA Approved.
     
  TRAPPING.

Stopping a long pass with chest, or thigh, or foot is a skill which every top player must acquire. But he has to know exactly how much rebound to expect from the ball so that he can judge precisely how much to bend and move his body to stop the ball.
  REBOUND.

The ball is dropped 10 times onto a steel panel from a height of two metres. FIFA Inspected balls must bounce between 115 - 165 cm, FIFA Approved balls between 120 and 165 cm. The difference between lowest and highest bounce must be no more than 10 cm in both cases.
     
  HEADING.

Directing a ball with the head requires strong neck and shoulder muscles and an eye for an often acute angle. A player's experience tells him how a ball should perform when he strikes it but a ball which is too heavy and a ball which is too light can fly off at the wrong height or angle and the goal is missed or the pass misplaced.
  WEIGHT.

Each ball is weighed three times in a sealed cabinet. The cabinet is sealed to prevent draughts affecting the scales. Balls should weigh between 410 - 450 grams for FIFA Inspected, 420-445 grams for FIFA Approved.