Nike Total 90 Tracer Ball - Premier League 10/11 Football
Unveiling the Nike Total 90 Tracer Football, the official Premier League ball for the 2010/11 season. Nike have been the official ball supplier to the Premier League for ten years, and in that time Nike have wowed us with some impressive ball technology, so check out the new football in full here on the SoccerBible!
It's been a long time in coming, especially as regular SoccerBible fans will have clocked glimpses of the Tracer ball in all of Nike's recent campaigns, from the new Manchester United kit to the infamous Write The Future South Africa commecial.
But the Nike T90 Tracer Football will not just be used in the English Premier League, as the Spanish Primera Division and Italian Serie A will also get to enjoy the Tracer during the 2010-11 season, replacing the Total 90 Ascente ball. With footballs in particular recieving a rough time of late (*cough* Jabulani *cough*), what can we expect from the Tracer?
For starters the design is very different to previous Nike footballs, with a depth-enhanced performance graphic to engage vision quickly, which basically means the ball catches your eye quicker to improve player reactions. The graphic is printed on a micro-textured surface which improves ball control and flight, utilising the same science applied to golf balls to equalise the airflow over the surface.
The geometric precision of the Nike Total 90 Tracer Football distributes pressure evenly, for an accurate and powerful strike no matter where the ball is hit. The construction of the Nike Tracer Ball incorporates compressed polyethylene layers which store energy from impact and release it at launch. Along with cross-linked Nitrogen-Expanded Foam Nike claim this ball will offer exceptional shape retention and durability!
Nike sets its own high quality standards for footballs bearing the swoosh, but are also overseen by FIFA's testing and certification program. A series of seven lab tests, ranging from circumfrence and roundness retention to water absorption and rebound attributes ensure balls carrying the FIFA approved mark are guaranteed for consistent performance.
With the ball officially released on 19th July 2010 and should cost around £85 GBP / $150 USD, you'll have plenty of time to practice you're Premier League football skills before the season kicks off in mid August.
We're sure some may think this is steep for essentially a fundamental piece of equipment needed to play the game. But remember the ball needs to be of the highest quality for the biggest leagues in the World - as it will be used by the best footballers in the world including Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, Fernando Torres, Wayne Rooney, Xavi and Kaka and more.
But fear not, there will of course also be the customary take down versions available too for those not on a Premier League footballer's salary!
