Technology Select IMS APPROVED

Details

The International Matchball Standard (IMS) is a mark of the quality of a soccer ball, which must meet very demanding conditions determined by the international soccer federation FIFA . Balls produced in this way are approved by FIFA for indoor or outdoor use.

Specifically:

Test 1: Deduction of the ball

To estimate the flight path well, the ball must have constant circumference measurements. The circumference is measured in ten different places. These measurements are used to calculate the average circumference. Balls with the IMS Inspected logo must have this value of 68 to 70 cm, IMS Approved balls must have a circumference between 68.5 and 69.5 cm.

Test 2: Roundness of the ball

Inaccurate stitching can deform the ball. The average is measured at sixteen places. The average is determined from these measurements. The two limit values can differ from the average by only 2% (for IMS Inspected balls), or even only 1.5% (IMS Approved).

Test 3: Rebound

The ball is dropped ten times onto a steel plate from a height of two meters. IMS Inspected balls must bounce to a height of 115 cm to 165 cm , IMS Approved only 120 cm to 165 cm . The difference between individual rebounds must not be greater than 10 cm .

Test 4: Weight

Each tested ball is weighed three times in a special container. This container is sealed so that any air leakage from the ball does not affect the weighing. IMS Inspected balls should weigh between 410 and 450 g . Balls with the IMS Approved mark should weigh between 420 and 445 g .

Test 5: Absorption

In this test, the ball rotates and is immersed 250 times in a container with 2 cm of water. IMS Inspected balls can absorb a maximum of 15% of their original weight . IMS Approved can absorb only 10%.

Test 6: Pressure loss

The behavior of a ball that loses pressure during play is difficult to predict. In this test, the ball is inflated with air to a pressure of one atmosphere. In three days (72 hours), the pressure in the ball is measured again. In order to carry the IMS Inspected mark, a ball must not lose more than 25% of its original pressure. IMS Approved balls must not lose more than 20% .

Test 7: Constancy of shape and size

In this test, the ball is fired 2000 times against a steel plate at a speed of 50 km/h. Both the seams and the inner must pass this test unscathed. The loss of pressure and the change in shape and circumference of the ball must be minimal. Only balls with the IMS Approved seal undergo this test.

Test 8: Balancing the ball

In this test, the ball must maintain its trajectory when launched in a straight direction. The ball is set in motion so that it rolls on a horizontal surface in a straight direction and it is observed how many degrees the ball has deviated from its original straight path. Only futsal balls undergo this test. IMS Inspected balls can deviate by a maximum of 7.5° and IMS Approved balls by a maximum of 5°.