It seems like a day doesn’t go by without someone throwing criticism the way of the new adidas world cup ball. What is interesting this time is it’s not just the goalkeepers who are voicing their concerns. Forwards are complaining of their inability to strike the ball on target, midfielders about their inability to pick out a man and defenders about how the ball changes in midair when they rise to meet a header.
One thing that also got me thinking was they have been playing with the ball in the German league and in the MLS and seemingly know one has been complaining in these leagues about he balls ‘beach ball’ like characteristics.
This article from the co-developer at Loughborough University seems to explain it all
http://www.sportindustry.biz/news/view/7419/developer-defends-adidas-world-cup-ball
It’s the altitude that is causing the problems, in fact that would make any ball do the same. Well, ok, understood, but is this ball designed for the world cup or not? If it is then why was this not tested at altitude and with the very same players who are going to ping it all over the park? At least then adidas would be able to turn round and say that a multitude of players have been testing this thing for years and nothing was raised in testing. Instead all they seem to have is some pretty smart sport and physics specialists telling us this thing wasn’t a problem when we tested it in our smart computer controlled testing centre.
I’m not sure what the answer is or even how good or bad the ball is but I think some good PR and non machine field testing would have given adidas some fodder at this stage. Unfortunately we will have to wait until the tournament starts until we really find out.
(lovely balls)
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