The Nike Flight is the end product of an eight-year project Nike has carried out to improve consistency in footballs – particularly in travelling through the air. New AerowSculpt technology means improved aerodynamics: the ball is covered in ridges, which allows air to travel around it. This means it moves quicker in the air, with a straighter trajectory.
FourFourTwo has tested the template Nike Flight already, and the claims seem to stand up to scrutiny. Even in windy conditions, it is easier to track the ball's movement in the air, and it is less prone to unexpected swerves. It's also forgivingly receptive; this tester was picking passes out of the sky like Andrea Pirlo.
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(Image credit: Nike)
While the aerodynamic should be good news for goalkeepers – reducing the number of accidental worldies that leave unfortunate goalies wrong-footed – it has been welcomed by strikers, too.
England and Tottenham forward Harry Kane – who is sponsored by Nike – has praised the ball for limiting unexpected movements. “The most important thing about a ball is being able to put it where you want it every time,” he said. “Consistency is the most important thing, and it’s so important to have confidence in the ball you’re playing with.”
With grassroots football finally returning from coronavirus-forced hiatus, expect to see a few of these Premier League Strikes in the park ahead of the Premier League's big return in Septmber.
Conor Pope is the former Online Editor of FourFourTwo, overseeing all digital content. He plays football regularly, and has a large, discerning and ever-growing collection of football shirts from around the world.
He supports Blackburn Rovers and holds a season ticket with south London non-league side Dulwich Hamlet. His main football passions include Tugay, the San Siro and only using a winter ball when it snows.
