Smart Ball
Smart Ball is a soccer ball that looks like an ordinary soccer ball, but it contains a microchip system that's been engineered to count your kicks out loud for you. As you launch the ball with a foot, a knee, or even your head, the idea is that the system will count your launches out loud and start over when your ball hits the ground. Due to this counting system, you may be able to improve your game by aiming to increase your numerical score each time you practice.
Total Cost Breakdown
The cost of Smart Ball is $29.99 plus $4.99 shipping for a total price of $34.98.
Price is from As Seen on TV Commercial page: buysmartball.com
How to Use (Step by Step)
- Blow up Ball
Your Smart Ball will come in a deflated state, so you'll need to use the included pump to blow it up to its full capacity before you can use it. If you have trouble doing so, consult the pump's instruction manual.
- Start Kicking
Once your ball's blown up, you can practice your soccer skills by kicking your ball up in the air as many times as you can without letting it touch the ground,. As you do, your ball will literally count the number of kicks you make for you, and announce each number you reach out loud. If you don't want to play alone, it'll do the same thing as you kick your ball back and forth with a friend, as long as you don't let the ball touch the ground. As alluded to above, you can "kick" with various body parts.
- Allow Ball to Touch Ground
When you allow your Smart Ball to touch the ground, it'll stop counting your kicks. At this point, you can either put your ball away for a while or start again from kick number one. If you decide to put your ball away, it can be stored in the included gray carrying bag, or you can store it wherever you normally store your sports equipment.
Features
- For Various Ages, Genders
The Smart Ball is suitable for anyone of any gender and almost any age. Only toddlers and babies should refrain from using this ball, due to its larger size in comparison to their bodies. No matter what skill level you possess in regard to soccer, you can always track your improvements by keeping track of your kick count during each practice session.
- Two Color Combinations
If you decide to obtain one of these balls, you can get one that's blue and white or one that's black and pink. Soccer enthusiasts who have a large family or regularly play with a large group of friends may even want to get one ball in each combination of shades.
- Lights up
Aside from making sounds, each of these balls will contain an LED light that'll cause the ball to light up each time you kick it. This type of light can last for up to 100, 000 hours without burning out, so you may end up with a soccer ball that'll light up for years as you play. If you want to play in the dark, it'll also give you some illumination that'll help you play safely without hurting yourself or anyone you're playing with.
- Drawstring Bag Included
The gray bag that comes with each Smart Ball is of the drawstring variety, which means that you'll be able to place your ball in the bag and carry it almost anywhere over your shoulder. If you often walk to the park or an empty field when you want to play soccer with your friends, you may find this bag extremely handy.
Positive Points
- Can Evaluate Your Skill Level
If you want to find out how good you really are at soccer, you can evaluate your skill level by counting how many kicks you can make without dropping your ball. Those users who make 25 kicks can consider themselves quite a good player, while those who make 100 kicks can probably call themselves one of the best. If you're a beginner, you can use the 10-kick mark to determine when you've moved on to intermediate status.
- Ideal for Competition
In the event that your friends also have Smart Balls, you can compete against them to see who can achieve the most kicks before the balls hit the ground. Doing so will help you pay attention to your own practice, too, as you'll need to block out the sound and light coming from everyone else's ball as you focus on making your kicks. If you're a competitive soccer player, you may be able to transfer your new level of focus to your next formal game.
Negative Points
- Can't Disable Sound, Light
Unless the battery burns out within one of these balls, or the LED light within the ball burns out, it'll always make noise and light up. This could get annoying if you want to practice quietly, or if there are others around you who are disturbed by the ball's noise and illumination.
- Not Suitable for Formal Games
For formal competitive soccer games, you likely won't be able to use a Smart Ball. Instead, you'll probably be required to use a standard black-and-white soccer ball that doesn't make noise or light up. If you get too accustomed to the noise and illumination, and you never practice with a standard ball, this could put you at a disadvantage in the game.
Warnings
- Don't Put in Water
While most soccer balls can be used in the water, if you'd like to do so, it's not a good idea to put this ball in water since it contains a computerized system inside. Similarly, while it can likely withstand a bit of rain, you should protect it from getting overly wet, as water could seep inside the ball and ruin its digital counting mechanism.
- Keep Away From Pets
Along the same lines, while your dog might like to gnaw on an ordinary soccer ball or football, this particular soccer ball should be kept away from pets like cats or dogs. If a pet were to chew this ball too aggressively, they might end up biting into the digital sensor system and permanently disabling it. Those people who want to play soccer with their pet should give them a separate ball to slobber on and chew as much as they want to.
Save Time
Without a soccer ball like the Smart Ball, you'll have to search for someone else to count the number of kicks you make in a row or try to count them yourself. If you choose the latter option, you may lose count and end up starting over and over again. With the former option, someone else may end up wasting their time helping you practice soccer when they have no interest in the game and could be getting other things done. If you get a Smart Ball and allow it to play the role of your training (and counting) assistant, though, no one will end up wasting their time.
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