Free Shipping on Orders $75+* | Elite Gear Tested By Real Players & Coaches – *Exclusions apply on heavy items
All Products
All Products
Licensed Gear
Licensed Gear
Footwear
Footwear
Goalkeeper
Goalkeeper
Coaches Equipment
Coaches Equipment
Apparel
Apparel
Soccer Goals
Soccer Balls
Soccer Balls
If you’ve ever watched an 11-year-old boot a ball across a field like they’re trying out for Barcelona, you already know, those middle years of youth soccer are no joke.
Ages 8 to 12 are when kids start turning from casual dribblers into serious players.
Technique sharpens. Speed ramps up.
Confidence (sometimes) soars. And right in the middle of that evolution?
The equipment.
Specifically, the best size 4 soccer ball. A transitional piece of equipment that hits the sweet spot between baby-size 3 balls and the full-grown beast size 5 soccer balls.
So, let’s talk about what makes a size 4 ball not just “good,” but truly great. Because if your young player is going to give the game their all, the ball they practice with better keep up.
Children between 8 and 12 are growing rapidly, not just in height, but also in coordination, stamina, and soccer IQ.
Their gear needs to keep pace. Size 3 is too small. Size 5 is still a little too heavy, especially for developing muscles and growing joints. That’s why size 4 is the Goldilocks of youth soccer: just right.
With a circumference of 25 to 26 inches and a weight between 350 and 390 grams, it gives just enough heft for kids to work on stronger kicks and sharper passes without risking strain.
More importantly, it lets them learn the feel of a real game ball while still being forgiving on smaller frames.
As much as soccer balls look alike, to the trained eye, the differences are astronomical.
The best ones for youth players don’t just look cool (though that doesn’t hurt); they’ve got to deliver on touch, durability, consistency, and, yeah, even price. You’re not looking for a trophy, you’re looking for a workhorse.
Something that can survive drills, rainy-day backyard scrimmages, and a few accidental kicks into the neighbor’s rose bushes.
Let me explain the key features that separate the winners from the wannabes:
Most kids don’t know the difference between PU and PVC. But they’ll know when a ball feels “off.” PU (polyurethane) balls tend to be softer and offer better control, great for training and matches.
PVC (polyvinyl chloride), on the other hand, is tougher and more weather-resistant. If your kid plays outside on rough fields or hard ground, a durable PVC cover might be a better pick.
That said, if they’re starting to get serious with competitive play, PU offers a much better touch. It’s a tradeoff: soft feel versus rugged survival. What’s your priority?
This one doesn’t sound exciting, but it affects how the ball feels and lasts. Hand-stitched balls usually have more give and a traditional feel. Machine-stitched ones are consistent and cheaper.
Thermo-bonded? That’s the high-tech stuff. Panels fused together for better water resistance and shape retention.
Fancy? Sure.
But helpful? Absolutely. Especially if the field is more mud pit than pristine pitch.
Inside every soccer ball is a bladder, and no, it’s not just hot air. Latex bladders offer a softer touch and a more responsive bounce.
That’s ideal for technique development. But they lose air faster, which means more pumping. Butyl bladders? They’re the low-maintenance choice.
You’ll spend less time with a pump in hand and more time watching passes hit their mark. The downside? A slightly stiffer feel.
Pick your battle: comfort vs. convenience.
Beyond all the technical stuff, there are the intangibles that turn a “good” ball into the best ball for your kid:
Cool Design: Kids are more likely to bring a ball to practice if they’re proud of it. That might sound superficial, but motivation matters. If the ball gets them off the couch and onto the grass, it’s doing its job.
Reliable Bounce: Nothing throws off a training session like a ball that reacts like a balloon one minute and a bowling ball the next. Quality balls rebound predictably, making drills and game play way smoother.
Weather-Resistant: You don’t want to swap balls every time the sky looks iffy. Great size 4 balls hold their own in damp grass, dusty turf, and whatever else the local field throws at them.
Price-Performance Ratio: Honestly, you can spend $20 or $120. But somewhere in the middle is the sweet spot: quality materials, reliable build, and no unnecessary flash. Keep it simple. Buy smart.
Without naming names (we’re not here to plug brands), here’s what a lot of parents, coaches, and young players gravitate toward:
Balls with textured surfaces for better grip and spin control
Designs that mimic pro match balls (because hey, everyone wants to feel like they’re on the world stage)
Models with air-retention tech that don’t need pumping every couple of days
Versions that come with matching ball bags or pumps, because convenience is always a win
If you're browsing online and see those specs listed, you're probably onto something good.
You know what makes a kid better at soccer? Reps. Repetition. Practice. A thousand passes. A hundred corner kicks. Hours of keepie-uppies in the driveway.
And for that, you need a ball that feels consistent, takes a beating, and doesn’t require a halftime pep talk just to stay round.
That’s why investing in a well-made ball is all about setting up a solid foundation for the young players.
A kid who trusts how their ball reacts is a kid who takes more risks, tries more moves, and grows more confident. You can’t measure that in specs or materials, but it’s the kind of shine that sticks.
Even the best ball won’t last long if it’s treated like a chew toy for the family dog. Here’s how to stretch that lifespan:
Keep it inflated properly. Check the pressure (usually between 8.5–15.6 psi). Too much, and it turns into a rock. Too little, and it flops around like a deflated beach ball.
Store it indoors. Weather wears balls out fast. Garage or mudroom? Perfect. Backyard overnight? Not ideal.
Rotate it with a practice ball. If your kid has a go-to match ball, keep a cheaper one around for rougher drills or pickup games.
Youth coaches, especially at the travel and academy levels, have a laundry list of ball preferences. But when it comes to size 4 balls, they mostly want:
Consistency in bounce and roll (for predictable drills)
Decent lifespan (no flat balls two weeks in)
Easy visibility (yes, neon colors help on cloudy days or under lights)
Brand familiarity (some coaches stick with the same ball to standardize play)
So if your kid is starting to play on a team or in a league, it doesn’t hurt to ask the coach what balls they recommend, or even better, which ones they don’t want showing up at practice.
When you’re searching for the best size 4 soccer ball, you’re not just buying a piece of equipment. You’re picking a practice partner, a confidence builder, and probably something that’s going to take a few hits off the garage door.
The right ball feels good underfoot, reacts just how it should, and keeps young players coming back for more.
And if you're ready to grab a ball that lives up to all this talk? GoalKick Soccer, the best online soccer store, has a stacked lineup of top-rated size 4s for every kind of young baller. Whether they're still finding their footing or already dreaming in jerseys.
Go check out our offer and get the ball rolling. Literally.
