How to Deflate a Soccer Ball (With a Pump or Without)

Let me break down how to deflate a soccer ball – it’s actually pretty simple whether you’ve got proper equipment or need to MacGyver it.

So here’s the deal: according to FIFA, a pro soccer ball should have between 8.8 and 16.1 PSI of air pressure.

But sometimes you might need to let some air out, whether you’re trying to squeeze it into a bag or the ball’s just too bouncy.

The Easy Way (With a Pump)

If you’ve got a ball pump with the right needle, this’ll take you about 2 minutes:

First, locate that little valve on your ball and give it a quick wipe to get rid of any dirt.
Here’s a pro tip: always moisten the needle before you stick it in. You can use saliva, water, silicone oil, or even coconut oil. This is super important because the valve opening is pretty tight, and a dry needle could damage it.
When you’re inserting the needle, keep everything steady and go straight in – if things wobble around, you might snap the needle. Then just squeeze the air out slowly and pull the needle back out carefully.

The MacGyver Method (No Pump)

Don’t have a pump? No worries! Here’s a clever workaround:

Grab a paperclip and straighten it out (make sure it’s clean – no tape or glue residue).
Just like with the pump needle, moisten it first, then carefully insert it into the valve.
Squeeze out the air slowly, and you’re good to go!

You can actually use a ballpoint pen cartridge too, or really anything thin enough to fit through the valve – just make sure whatever you use can fit properly.

That’s really all there is to it! Whether you’re using proper equipment or improvising, deflating a soccer ball is pretty straightforward. Just remember to be gentle with the valve and you’ll be fine.