Chief Delphi - Check the diameter of your soccer ball

When is size 5 not a size 5

This game looked like a straightforward challenge, but it has been nothing but frustration for our team.

We have spent a week tweaking our ball controller. We were analyzing pictures and videos of other rollers. We read all the discussions looking for clues. We measured pictures to make sure our roller was hitting the ball at the same location. We added rollers, wheels. We lowered and raised it. At one point we even covered it in the pink flannel that we make our bunny ears out of. We turned up the speed, lowered it. Made it stickier. Made it slicker. Covered it in teflon coated baking parchment. We knew our ball was stickier than the actual ball, but figured the official balls might get scuffed up enough during the game that it would be similar. Besides they were cheaper and we could get them. Nothing worked.

Finally, at midnight last night one of the soccer players on the team said the ball seemed a little heavy. They made a late night run to Walmart and got a fancy $20 dollar ball which was nice and shiny. Not only that, it was at least an inch smaller in diameter. Both balls were labelled size 5. We put the new next to the roller and it worked. It slipped on the carpet just like the pictures. Days were lost messing with the roller and it was the ball that was the problem!! The worst part is that since we lowered the roller to hit the ball, our kicker only swings far enough to tap the ball now. AAARRRGGGHHH!!!

So check your soccer ball if you can't get your roller to work and next year we will order the game pieces within the hour after kickoff.

Ann