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How big is a boys basketball
How big is a boys basketball
What Size Ball Should a Player Use?
There are many problems with the way youth basketball is currently being run:
- Basketball rims are too high.
- Teams are allowed to play zone defense.
- Too many games, not enough practice.
- Correct basketball sizes isn't a focus.
Some of these are difficult problems to fix…
But others are super simple.
One of the easiest fixes we can improve youth basketball worldwide is to make sure all players are using an age appropriate sized basketball when they’re playing.
Some associations, tournaments, and countries do this right, but many don’t.
I’ve watched countless games where two teams with players 8-years-old or younger will attempt to play a complete basketball game using a size 7 ball...
Most of them can't even throw the basketball up to the height of the net!
Below I've created a chart listing the appropriate basketball sizes depending on age.
Basketball Sizes Chart by AgeBasketball Size | Circumference | Weight | Ages |
|---|
Size 7 | 29.![]() 5" | 22 oz | Boys: 14+ |
Size 6 | 28.5" | 20 oz | Boys: 12 - 13 Girls: 12+ |
Size 5 | 27.5" | 17 oz | Boys: 9 - 11 Girls: 9 - 11 |
Size 4 | 25.5" | 14 oz | Boys: 5 - 8 Girls: 5 - 8 |
(Chart scrolls left and right on mobile)
Size 7 Basketball:
For boys, a size 7 basketball should be used once they hit 14-years-old and is the official size used at the high school, college, and professional level.
The circumference of the basketball should be 29.5" and the weight 22 oz.
Size 6 Basketball:
For boys, a size 6 basketball should be used between the ages of 12 and 13.
For girls, a size 6 basketball should be used once they hit 12-years-old and is the official size used at the high school, college, and professional level.
The circumference of the basketball should be 28.5" and the weight 20 oz.
Size 5 Basketball:
For boys and girls, a size 5 basketball should be used between the ages of 9 - 11.
The circumference of the basketball should be 27.5" and the weight 17 oz.
Size 4 Basketball:
For boys and girls, a size 5 basketball should be used between the ages of 5 - 8.
The circumference of the basketball should be 25.5" and the weight 14 oz.
Why Correct Basketball Size Is Important:
Some of you might be wondering 'why' using the correct sized basketball is important.
There are two main reasons:
1. Proper Shooting Technique
Using a basketball that's too big will lead to players developing poor shooting technique.
In order to generate the power needed to shoot a heavier basketball, players can develop a number of bad habits including:
- Shooting with two hands instead of one.
- Improper hand placement on the basketball.
- 'Chucking' the ball instead of shooting.
When a player practices with these poor habits for long enough, they become very difficult to correct when players get older and stronger.
2. Player Enjoyment
If you're an adult, image trying to shoot with a bowling ball.
Doesn't sound like too much fun, does it?
This might be a slight exaggeration, but that's what shooting with a size 7 basketball will feel like for most 5-year-olds.
When kids are playing with a basketball more suitable for their size and age, they'll have more fun because they'll have a much higher chance of success.
Conclusion
Different basketball sizes allow players to gradually progress as their bodies are developing and their strength is increasing.
If you're a parent looking to purchase your child a basketball, make sure you get the most appropriate size depending on their age.
It's important for their development.
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 26,347 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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Basketball for children - what is useful, at what age to play
Basketball is one of the most popular sports games. Basketball for children is considered one of the early sports, because kids can enroll for the first lessons from the age of 3. But the most important advantage of basketball is its accessibility.
There are sections for children in schools and neighborhood clubs, and classes are often free.
And if you are not ready to give the child to the section, just buy him a ring and a ball and hang it on your site and the kid will already be busy in sports, which means he will get the maximum benefit for development.
Benefits of basketball for children, what qualities it develops
Before sending a child to a sports club, parents should know how basketball is useful for children and what qualities it develops.
First of all, like any team sport, basketball develops social skills. Working in a team, children learn to help each other, care about common interests and work for the good of the team.
Moreover, this basketball is an excellent emotional release. It helps the guys throw out negative energy and get positive emotions. Along with this, character is tempered during classes, and the child learns to go towards the goal, sacrificing his own desires and needs.
Basketball also helps to get rid of complexes. This is especially true for tall girls who are noticeably taller than their peers.
In a team where all players are taller than average, the girls no longer feel like a black sheep, but gain self-confidence and begin to be proud of their height.
The influence of playing basketball on the physical development of a child
The influence of playing basketball on the physical development of a child is also strong. First of all, the guys involved in this sport develop endurance, and all muscle groups are strengthened. Basketball practice - these are jumping, running, swinging arms, tilts and squats, which allow you to develop all muscle groups and strengthen the heart and blood vessels.
In addition to the general health benefits, basketball will also help prevent the development of certain diseases that result from an inactive lifestyle.
Moreover, basketball develops:
- Review of vision. Due to the fact that the player must constantly keep an eye on the ball and other players, the field of view is improved.
Children learn to manage peripheral vision and train their eyes; - Reaction speed. Often during a match, an athlete must make lightning-fast decisions on which the outcome of the game depends. This helps children learn to respond quickly to emergency situations;
- Mindfulness. Through intense play, attention and memory develop, which not only has a beneficial effect on the playground, but also in studies and everyday life.
Given these facts, the question of what basketball gives a child can be answered that classes will strengthen physical, mental and mental health. That is why basketball is often recommended to children suffering from reduced attention and weak immunity. But not all children can benefit from basketball, you can find out what kind of sport is suitable for a child here.
Does playing basketball make children grow
We often hear that basketball makes children grow, but is it really true? Recent studies have shown that yes, indeed, he can help the baby grow up, but is not able to grow a giant out of him.
The increase in height is due to the straightening of the spine, which is stretched during jumps. Also, a slight increase in growth contributes to the strengthening of the muscles of the back and legs.
But to say that basketball can significantly affect the growth of an athlete is wrong, there is no scientific justification for this.
The fact that in the sections all children are really tall is explained simply - short children simply leave this sport, because they cannot compete with tall athletes, as a result they move on to other sports, for example, volleyball, where they need both tall and undersized athletes.
At what age can a child play basketball
For preschool children, basketball is available from 3 years of age. Often this game is played in physical education classes in kindergarten. Of course, such a crumb will not be taken to the section, but at this age the child can already be introduced to the ball and the net.
Professional basketball training for children starts at the age of 5-6 years.
At this age, you can enroll in a section at the sports palace, both boys and girls are accepted. The first 4-5 years the guys work out together, and only at the age of 10 the coach forms the men's and women's teams.
Basketball for beginners is more about general physical training and familiarity with the ball. In the first years of training, the coach pays special attention to the development of endurance, so most of the training takes place in the fresh air.
In the gym, the guys learn different techniques and combinations, and also learn how to hit the basket. According to statistics, it is in their youth that children are more likely to encounter injuries in basketball. This is due to not yet developed coordination and lack of skills in programming movements.
That is why sports insurance for basketball at this age is a necessity, because it will reimburse the costs of treatment and provide the young athlete with high-quality rehabilitation, which will prevent the occurrence of fatigue injuries and chronic injuries in the future.
Age characteristics of children in basketball
Age characteristics of children in basketball are a fundamental factor in drawing up a schedule and training plan.
Consider how the load of basketball players changes with age:
- 3-5 years old. At this age, kids still do not know how to memorize the rules of the game and listen to the coach. All classes are held in a playful way and are aimed at developing coordination of movements and mindfulness;
- 5-7 years old. During this period, special attention is paid to the physical development and increasing the flexibility of the child. The goal of the trainer is to maximize endurance and strengthen all muscle groups. Also at this stage, children begin to learn the rules of basketball and learn various tactical and dynamic techniques;
- 7-9 years old. This is the age at which real training starts. At the age of 8, children can already participate in competitions. Now all their work is aimed at the result of the whole team.
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During these years, the main task of the coach is to teach the guys to interact with each other; - 10-12 years old. At this age, men's and women's teams are formed. Now the team is becoming a real family with common goals and objectives. Most often, it is at this age that the first victories occur;
- 12-14 years old. At this age, children learn to program their movements. This is a very important stage for every basketball player, because the final result of the maneuver depends on it. At this time, the main task of the coach is to hone the movements of each player to the ideal;
- 14-16 years old. This is the time to master tactical thinking. The brain of a teenager is already ready to solve tactical problems and make quick decisions. At this moment, the coach already sees which of the guys can become a real champion;
- 16-18 years old. This is the age when a teenager must show all the acquired skills. Strong players are formed into teams to participate in important competitions.
