A concise look at why the Mitre Impel One training football has become a staple for grassroots clubs and youth coaches
The Mitre Impel One is a straightforward, no-nonsense training ball that has earned a solid reputation with community clubs, youth programmes and coaches who need reliable equipment without breaking the budget. Users consistently highlight three practical strengths: durability, good value for money, and clear visibility thanks to bright colour and pattern options.
Put simply, teams that outfit themselves with these balls tend to replace them less often and spend more time coaching and playing.
Performance and build
The Impel One is built for volume. Its construction favours resilience over the ultra-fine touches of match-grade balls, so it stands up to frequent strikes and the knocks of everyday training.
Players report a balanced on-foot feel — not rock-hard, not squishy — with reliable rebound for passing and shooting. That predictable response makes it easy to keep drills flowing, especially when coaches rotate equipment between squads.
Surface compatibility
This ball works well on the usual training surfaces: short natural grass, 3G and 4G synthetic turf.
The textured outer layer gives consistent grip for ground passes and first touches, and coaches notice fewer odd bounces or skids that can interrupt drills or increase trip hazards. If your programme operates mostly on heavy artificial turf, it’s sensible to check seams and the outer coating periodically, but
Value, logistics and bulk buying
Clubs see savings when they buy in packs — 6, 12 or larger — which reduces mismatched gear and the admin of tracking individual balls. Suppliers often include simple carrying bags, which make transport and storage easier for coaches and volunteers. A few teams have reported strap wear after heavy, prolonged use, so it’s worth inspecting those bags as part of regular equipment checks. On balance, the lower unit cost and fewer mid-season replacements give grassroots programmes more predictable operating budgets and fewer interruptions to session planning.
Practical benefits for coaches and parents
Less time spent reinflating, searching for lost balls or reordering replacements equals more minutes devoted to drills and skill development. Youth coaches especially appreciate the colour options: using different colours for teams or exercises reduces confusion during fast-paced sessions and improves visibility in fading light or when balls roll into foliage. Younger players also adapt faster to the Impel One’s forgiving surface, which can help accelerate early technical confidence.
Common criticisms and sensible expectations
Feedback is broadly positive, but not without caveats. Some batches have shown quicker deflation than others, and repeated contact with sharp debris will shorten lifespan — no surprise for a training ball used outdoors. Simple maintenance routines mitigate most issues: inspect balls before and after sessions, store them at the recommended pressure, and rotate them so one ball doesn’t do all the work. Ask suppliers about material composition, inflation specs and warranty terms as part of procurement to reduce surprises.
Who should buy it
If you run a community club, school programme or youth academy where resilience, consistent feel and cost control matter most, the Mitre Impel One is a pragmatic pick. It’s not a match-certified elite ball, but for routine training, small-sided games and junior sessions it delivers dependable performance and low running costs. In short: dependable, affordable, and built to keep sessions moving.
