Simon Shaw Marksman Junior Rugby Ball The Passing & Control Ball | Size 4

The Marksman Size 4 is built for youth and junior players, roughly Under 11 to Under 14, so it is correctly proportioned for that stage of development rather than a scaled-down adult ball. It uses the same precision engineering as the full-size Marksman but sized for smaller hands. If your child plays in an older age bracket above Under 14, a full-size ball would suit better. Check your club's own age grading if you are unsure.

ShawGrip is the texturised surface finish used on the Marksman Size 4. It is designed to give a consistent, confident grip during passing and catching drills, which matters most for junior players still building ball control. The texture works with the ball's triple-layer cloth backing rather than relying on the bladder alone. It is one of two named technologies on this ball, alongside ShawStitch for the seams.

The Marksman Size 4 uses a premium latex bladder inside a blend of natural and synthetic rubber, reinforced with silica technology. This construction is aimed at giving a firm, responsive feel rather than a soft, bouncy one. The outer cloth is three layers, PolyViscose, PolyCotton, and Cotton, which back up the bladder and help the ball hold its shape.

The panels are held together with ShawStitch, described as a bonded thread designed for lasting shape retention through demanding training sessions. This is paired with the triple-layer cloth backing of PolyViscose, PolyCotton, and Cotton, so the seams and the surface are both built to cope with repeated drills. It is aimed specifically at withstanding intensive junior training rather than occasional casual use.

The description positions the Marksman Size 4 as a training ball, specifically for developing accuracy and ball control in junior rugby through passing and catching drills. It shares the precision engineering of the full-size Marksman used for higher-level play. There is no separate match-specific version mentioned in the product details, so treat this as a dedicated practice ball for junior players.

The suggested age range given is 6 to 7 years old, though the ball itself is also described as fitting Under 11 to Under 14 junior players in terms of sizing. This suggests it works across a wider span of junior development, from early introduction to organised training. If you are buying for a specific club age grade, check that against your child's current squad requirements.

The specific lifespan is not stated, but the construction is aimed at durability through demanding sessions. Three layers of PolyViscose, PolyCotton, and Cotton cloth back the bladder, and ShawStitch bonded thread is used on the seams to help the ball keep its shape under repeated drills. It also comes with a 60-day warranty, which gives some cover if a fault appears early on.

The Marksman Size 4 carries over the same precision engineering as the full-size adult Marksman rather than being a generic scaled-down youth ball. It uses named constructions, ShawGrip for surface texture and ShawStitch for the seams, plus a premium latex bladder and silica-reinforced rubber blend. The aim is a firm, responsive feel matched to junior hands, not just a smaller version of a standard ball.