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How big is a basketball ball
Basketball Sizes: A Quick Guide for All Levels of Play
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Basketball sizes vary by age, gender, and level of play. The official size of the basketball used by the NBA is 29.5 inches in circumference. That’s the same size used throughout men’s college and high school basketball leagues. The WNBA uses a slightly smaller ball, measuring 28.5 inches in circumference.
For international play, specifically FIBA, the basketball used is what’s called a Molten GL7 for men and Molten GL6 for women. These basketballs typically feature two different colors and are slightly bigger, with a 30.7-inch circumference for the men’s ball and a 29-inch circumference for the women’s.
Boys in middle school (or ages 12-14), use a 28.5-inch ball, as do all women and girls ages 12 and up. For anyone, male or female, between the ages of nine and 11, a ball size of 27.5 inches in circumference is recommended and is the most commonly sized ball used in youth basketball leagues.![]()
Boys and girls between the ages of 4 and 8 use a basketball between the sizes of 22 inches and 24.5 inches in circumference, depending on the individual’s hand size, which can be determined by a coach or parent by measuring from the bottom of the individual’s palm to the tip of his or her middle finger.
An NBA basketball must be inflated to a pressure of 7.5 to 8.5 PSI. The WNBA uses the same pressure regulations.
In the NCAA, inflation requirements are given in weight, with the men’s ball having a maximum weight of 22 ounces and the women’s ball having a maximum weight of 20 ounces. In FIBA play, the official rules state that the ball “be inflated to an air pressure such that, when it is dropped onto the playing floor from a height of approximately 1,800 mm measured from the bottom of the ball, it will rebound to a height of between 1,200 mm and 1,400 mm, measured to the top of the ball.”
What is the Diameter of a Basketball?A standard NBA basketball has a diameter between 9.
43 and 9.51 inches. In the WNBA, the basketball has a diameter of between 9.07 and 9.23 inches. Basketballs used in the NCAA are between 9.39 and 9.55 inches for the men and 9.07 and 9.23 inches for the women.
Indoor vs. Outdoor Basketballs (a.k.a. “Street” Basketballs)Basketballs used for indoor and outdoor play differ in their material. Indoor basketballs are made of full-grain leather; basketballs meant for outdoor use are made of rubber.
Though basketballs made for indoor use may initially feel smooth to the touch, after a few uses they becomes somewhat broken in and easier to grip, much like a baseball mitt. Leather basketballs should not be used outside, because the concrete surface of an outdoor basketball court causes the leather to roughen and wear, which eventually ruins the ball’s grip.
Some indoor basketballs are made of composite or synthetic leather. The upside is that they don’t need to be broken in like a regular leather ball.
But generally speaking the quality is not as good.
Outdoor, or “street” balls, employ a rubber surface because it can absorb the rougher surface of a concrete court without sacrificing the ball’s grip. A rubber ball is also a good choice for beginners because it is the easiest ball to control.
Best Selling Basketball BrandsThe three best selling basketball brands are Spalding, Nike and Wilson. As the official ball of the NBA, Spalding is perhaps the most recognized basketball manufacturer. Nike and Wilson are also popular thanks to the variety of textures, technologies and color schemes they offer.
A typical official-size men’s basketball retails on average between $30 and $60. Both the NBA and WNBA use Spalding basketballs, while the NCAA and most youth leagues use Wilson. As mentioned previously, FIBA and international leagues use Molten as its basketball provider.
READ MORE:
- Basketball Court Dimensions and Hoop Height: A Quick Guide
- Helpful Stretches for Basketball Players
- AAU Basketball, Explained
- How to Build a Basketball Body
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Basketball sizes vary by age, gender, and level of play.
The official size of the basketball used by the NBA is 29.5 inches in circumference. That’s the same size used throughout men’s college and high school basketball leagues. The WNBA uses a slightly smaller ball, measuring 28.5 inches in circumference.
For international play, specifically FIBA, the basketball used is what’s called a Molten GL7 for men and Molten GL6 for women. These basketballs typically feature two different colors and are slightly bigger, with a 30.7-inch circumference for the men’s ball and a 29-inch circumference for the women’s.
Boys in middle school (or ages 12-14), use a 28.5-inch ball, as do all women and girls ages 12 and up. For anyone, male or female, between the ages of nine and 11, a ball size of 27.5 inches in circumference is recommended and is the most commonly sized ball used in youth basketball leagues.
Boys and girls between the ages of 4 and 8 use a basketball between the sizes of 22 inches and 24.5 inches in circumference, depending on the individual’s hand size, which can be determined by a coach or parent by measuring from the bottom of the individual’s palm to the tip of his or her middle finger.
An NBA basketball must be inflated to a pressure of 7.5 to 8.5 PSI. The WNBA uses the same pressure regulations.
In the NCAA, inflation requirements are given in weight, with the men’s ball having a maximum weight of 22 ounces and the women’s ball having a maximum weight of 20 ounces. In FIBA play, the official rules state that the ball “be inflated to an air pressure such that, when it is dropped onto the playing floor from a height of approximately 1,800 mm measured from the bottom of the ball, it will rebound to a height of between 1,200 mm and 1,400 mm, measured to the top of the ball.”
What is the Diameter of a Basketball?A standard NBA basketball has a diameter between 9.43 and 9.51 inches. In the WNBA, the basketball has a diameter of between 9.07 and 9.23 inches. Basketballs used in the NCAA are between 9.39 and 9.55 inches for the men and 9.07 and 9.23 inches for the women.
Indoor vs.
Outdoor Basketballs (a.k.a. “Street” Basketballs)Basketballs used for indoor and outdoor play differ in their material. Indoor basketballs are made of full-grain leather; basketballs meant for outdoor use are made of rubber.
Though basketballs made for indoor use may initially feel smooth to the touch, after a few uses they becomes somewhat broken in and easier to grip, much like a baseball mitt. Leather basketballs should not be used outside, because the concrete surface of an outdoor basketball court causes the leather to roughen and wear, which eventually ruins the ball’s grip.
Some indoor basketballs are made of composite or synthetic leather. The upside is that they don’t need to be broken in like a regular leather ball. But generally speaking the quality is not as good.
Outdoor, or “street” balls, employ a rubber surface because it can absorb the rougher surface of a concrete court without sacrificing the ball’s grip.
A rubber ball is also a good choice for beginners because it is the easiest ball to control.
Best Selling Basketball BrandsThe three best selling basketball brands are Spalding, Nike and Wilson. As the official ball of the NBA, Spalding is perhaps the most recognized basketball manufacturer. Nike and Wilson are also popular thanks to the variety of textures, technologies and color schemes they offer.
A typical official-size men’s basketball retails on average between $30 and $60. Both the NBA and WNBA use Spalding basketballs, while the NCAA and most youth leagues use Wilson. As mentioned previously, FIBA and international leagues use Molten as its basketball provider.
READ MORE:
- Basketball Court Dimensions and Hoop Height: A Quick Guide
- Helpful Stretches for Basketball Players
- AAU Basketball, Explained
- How to Build a Basketball Body
Share This Story!
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What size basketball should a player use?
How to choose the right basketball size:
We are often asked, "what basketball should I buy for my son or daughter?" First, you need to know that basketball sizes vary by age group, gender, and the level of play or league.
There are four standard basketball sizes used in game play; 29.5" circumference, 28.5" circumference, 27.5" circumference, and 25.5" circumference. Below you'll find more information on these four sizes, including the recommended age groups for each.
Use this handy basketball size chart to determine which basketball is best for you or your player(s):
29.5" Basketballs
Men and boys ages 15 years old and older use basketballs that measure 29.5" in circumference and weigh 22 ounces. 29.5" basketballs are also referred to as "official size" or "size 7" basketballs. Men's leagues such as the NBA, college and high school use 29.5" basketballs. For boys, a 29.5" basketball should be used for ages 15+.
28.5" Basketballs
Women, girls ages 12+, and boys ages 12-14 use basketballs that measure 28.5" in circumference and weigh 20 ounces. 28.5" basketballs are also referred to as "intermediate" or "size 6" balls. Women's leagues including the WNBA, college and high school use 28.
5" basketballs. Girls in 12+ leagues and middle school boys (ages 12-14) also use 28.5" basketballs.
27.5" Basketballs
It is recommended that boys and girls ages 9 to 11 use basketballs that measure 27.5" in circumference and weigh 17 ounces. 27.5" basketballs are also referred to as "junior" or "size 5" balls. The 27.5" circumference is the most common ball size used in youth basketball leagues.
25.5" Basketballs
Boys and girls ages 5 to 8 are recommended to use basketballs that measure 25.5" in circumference and weigh 14 ounces. 25.5" basketballs are also referred to as "rookie" or "size 4" basketballs.
Why Is Using The Proper Basketball Size Important?
First and foremost, players need to use the correct size basketball to develop proper ball handling and shooting techniques. It is especially important for young players to use the proper size/weight basketball during their development. Bad habits are likely to occur if a young player is using a basketball that is too big or is too heavy.
The proper size basketball is necessary to teach proper hand placement for shooting with one hand, as well as for the correct way to pass and dribble.
Secondly, there's a good chance that a young player will lose interest in playing if he or she is not using the right size basketball. If the basketball is too big or too heavy for smaller players to properly grip and shoot, it is likely that they'll find the game less enjoyable.
Using the proper basketball size is a big factor in giving your budding hoops star the best shot at success and fostering their desire to play.
Comparing Indoor & Outdoor Basketballs
The main difference between indoor and outdoor basketballs is in the material of the ball. Indoor basketballs are made of either full grain leather, synthetic leather, or composite leather. Generally, it takes a few uses for a full grain leather indoor basketball to be "broken-in," and thus easier to grip. A leather basketball should not be used outdoors because the concrete surface of an outdoor court causes the leather to roughen and wear, ultimately ruining the ball's grip.
Both composite and synthetic leather indoor basketballs do not require a "break-in" period like a full-grain leather ball. However, the overall quality of composite and synthetic leather balls is less than that of regular leather basketballs.
Outdoor basketballs or "street balls" are made of rubber and are durable enough to withstand concrete surfaces without effecting the ball's grip. The grip on a rubber basketball is generally easier to control, making them a good ball to use for beginning players.
Basketball size 7,6,5,3 (weight, diameter, pressure)
Home / All sports / Basketball size 7,6,5,3 (weight, diameter, pressure)
03/20/2020 All sports Leave a comment 25,619 Views
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Basketball size varies by league, governing body, and gender and age of students. Basketballs differ from each other in weight, pressure, circumference and material of manufacture. According to the official rules of the game, the game projectile must have a spherical shape, be made in orange and have 8 black inserts and seams.
The official size of a basketball is numbered 7, it has the following characteristics: weight (mass) is - 567-650 grams, circumference - 749-780 cm, atmospheric pressure - 0.56 - 0.63 kg / cm 2 . This is the largest ball, and now look at the rest in the table:
| Size | Circumference (cm) | Weight (grams) | Pressure (kg/cm 2) | Where applicable |
| 7 | 749-780 | 567-650 | 0.56 - 0.63 | Professional Men's Basketball, Boys 14+ |
| 6 | 724-737 | 510-567 | 0.56 - 0.63 | Women's professional basketball, girls 12+, boys 12-13 |
| 5 | 690-710 | 470-500 | 0.56 - 0.63 | Boys and girls 10-11 years old |
| 3 | 560-580 | 300-330 | 0. 56 - 0.63 | Boys and girls 4-9 years |
Pass the Basketball Test
Basketballs are made from natural leather or synthetic leather - the pressure is the same for all sizes. It is worth remembering that a correctly inflated ball of the correct size is important to ensure quality training and skill development for players of different ages.
For games held under the auspices of the International Basketball Federation (FIBA), the ball is inflated to air pressure so that when it falls onto the court from a height of 1.8 meters, it should bounce to a height of 1.2-1.4 meters (measured by the top of the game ball).
Indoor and outdoor basketballs
There are no differences between the versions of the game in terms of size, but there are other nuances regarding manufacturing. Indoor balls are made of genuine leather, and outdoor balls are made of rubber.
Leather basketballs intended for indoor use should not be used outdoors.
Concrete or asphalt surfaces cause the leather to become rough and wear out quickly, eventually resulting in poor hand-ball contact. Also, some balls for playing inside are made of composite or synthetic leather, but their quality leaves much to be desired.
For outdoor play, manufacturers make balls with a rubber surface, as it is able to interact better with rough field surfaces. Rubber basketball will be a good choice for beginner players as it is much easier to control and develop skills.
Best Selling Basketball Brands
Basketball is very popular all over the world, which means that ball manufacturers do not have to sit idle, because they need to compete, create a quality product and, accordingly, make a profit. Here are the 3 best selling basketball brands in the world.
- Spalding (USA)
- Wilson (USA)
- Molten (Japan)
Spalding makes balls for the most popular league in the world, the NBA.
Wilson is in demand with the NCAA and most of the youth leagues in the United States of America. But Molten is the main supplier of game equipment for FIBA tournaments, European championships and even the Olympic Games.
Note that on average for men, a standard size 7 basketball sells for $30-60.
Basketballs have changed a lot since the beginning of the game in the late 19th century. Today, technology has made it possible to make very high-quality and even smart balls. This was not always the case, because decades have passed and the balls have undergone many changes and improvements, although at the very beginning, James Naismith, the founder and father of basketball, used a soccer ball to play, which his students threw into peach baskets.
A new wave of basketball ball design, sweat throughout the appearance, will stand out flawless technology. This applies to the panels of the game projectile - now there are 8 of them, and the new composite structures have only two.
New modern balls are constantly advertised by manufacturers. There are those that can control humidity, have more pimples - dots, and are even able to track the entire process of the game and in live mode and send information (strength of throw, rotation, impact) to Android or iPhone. Such a ball is 94Fifty.
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How to choose a basketball?
Basketball is a fast and dynamic sport. To enjoy the gameplay, you need to buy high-quality inventory. Basketball equipment is presented in a wide range. Many well-known brands are engaged in the manufacture of balls for this sport. Which option to choose? Consider the main criteria.
Types of basketballs
One of the most important selection criteria is the purpose of the ball.
With this, you need to start looking for a suitable projectile, we will start with this, in total there are three types:
- for the hall;
- for the street;
- universal.
The Indoor Basketball has excellent grip on parquet. Made from nat. leather or synthetics. Professional athletes choose models with a composite coating. Microfiber provides a comfortable grip. The material muffles impacts during the dribble. It is forbidden to play on asphalt sites, as in such conditions the projectile will very quickly lose all its qualities.
For the open field (outdoor) use shells made of synthetic raw materials. This composition makes them extremely resistant to wear. Additional surface treatment enhances grip. The ball is easy to control.
Universal projectiles are made of rubber. It is resistant to wear, behaves normally on parquet and can serve for quite a long time on open street areas. Some are covered with synthetic or composite materials.
Manufacturers produce goods for sites with a smooth, wooden, rubber coating.
How to decide on the material
To understand how to choose a basketball, take into account the raw materials used in production. Durable versatile basketballs are made from artificial materials. Many professional indoor balls are made from composite leather.
Genuine leather is considered the best material for the hall. The leather ball is an essential element of any professional basketball tournament. If you see the marking “Supreme Leather” on such a ball, then the manufacturer used premium leather.
Quality check
The first way to evaluate is rebound. A correctly inflated ball will bounce to a height of approximately 130 centimeters. There is an alternative way. Raise the professional ball to head level, and then release it. He should bounce to the waist. Look at the quality of the nipple.
Do not sit on it or kick it to keep its original shape. Careful use preserves the correct rebound during the dribble.
Elasticity is another indicator of quality. The ball must not become soft after a short play. Pump up periodically, but use only a special nozzle, and not a football needle.
Size
What size basketball should I buy? It all depends on the specifics of use. Marking No. 7 - the largest ball is intended for competitions of men's teams. The table shows absolutely all existing sizes:
Size
The size of the basketball directly affects the dynamics of the game and the accuracy of the shots. 
