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How big is a junior basketball
How big is a junior basketball
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 Guide
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To play great basketball, you need the right-sized ball. Having a ball that is too small or too big for your grip can play havoc on your skills and dampen your game.
You need to feel in control of the ball and make it move how you want it to, and this is just not possible when you can’t get a good grip. To enhance your game and feel more confident, it’s important to take the time to understand what size ball you require.
There are many available, so to help you understand what size would be best for you, we have compiled a sizing chart for each of our basketballs.
SIZE 3 BASKETBALLS
NOVELTY - FOR ALL AGESSize 3 is a novelty-sized, or 'mini' basketball that is suitable for all ages. The Size 3 basketball has a circumference of 22" (55.9cm).
SIZE 5 BASKETBALLS
FOR AGES 5 - 12 YEARSSize 5 is the standard basketball size for both boys and girls aged 5 - 12 years old. The Size 5 basketball has a circumference of 27.5" (69.5cm).
SIZE 6 BASKETBALLS
FOR FEMALES AGED 9+ & MALES AGED 9 - 12 YEARSSize 6 is the standard basketball size for females aged 9+ years and males aged 9 to 12 years old.
The Size 6 basketball has a circumference of 28.5" (72.5cm).
SIZE 7 BASKETBALLS
FOR AGES 12 YEARS & OVERSize 7 (29.5" or 75cm) is the official size of all adult basketballs, suitable for male basketball players aged 12 years and over.
Find Your Size and Stay True to The Game
From just playing for fun to trying to make it to the main stage, having the right tools can improve your game immensely. Once you have found the right-sized basketball you can focus on performing to the best of your ability, enhancing your techniques and enjoying your favourite game.
If you want to know how to best practice at home with your right-sized ball, check out our tips for different training set ups .
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what to expect and where to watch
In the European Championship 2022 in basketball for players under the age of 18, which will be held in Izmir, Turkey from July 30 to August 7, 16 teams will take part.
At the preliminary stage, they are divided into four groups of four teams, and absolutely everyone will go to the playoffs. The preliminary stage of the European Championship in terms of sports will be needed only for the formation of the playoff bracket, the matches of which will begin from the 1/8 final stage on August 3.
Preliminary Groups:
Group A: France, Israel, North Macedonia, United Kingdom
Group B: Spain, Poland, Turkey, Germany
Group C: Serbia, Czech Republic, Greece Slovenia
Group D: Lithuania, Croatia, Italy, Montenegro
In the first round of the playoffs, the teams of group A will face the representatives of group B, and the teams from the quartet C will face the teams of group D.
Who to watch at the 2022 European Championships? The main contender for victory in the tournament in Izmir is the French team, which includes several basketball players at once, whose prospects are highly estimated by experts.
Her leader at the 2022 European Championship will be defender Sadi Sissoko . With a height of 197 centimeters, he already has excellent physical development, is able to effectively conduct a power struggle and at the same time has an excellent long-range throw. Sissoko will spend next season in the junior G-League in the United States and could be selected quite highly in the NBA draft next year. Another important player in the defensive line of the French national team should be Ryan Ruper , which is equally good in attack and defense. The younger brother of Tokyo 2020 Olympic Bronze Medalist Iliana Ruper of the Women's NBA has the potential to surpass his sister's achievements in the future.
Another favorite for the 2022 European Championship is the Spanish team, which will defend their title won in 2019. The main character in its composition should be a 17-year-old center Isan Almansa , who was voted MVP of the U17 World Championship less than a month ago.
At this home tournament in Malaga, the Spaniards won silver medals, losing in the final to the US team, and Almansa was the main character in his team.
Along with Spain, the most powerful tall line at the tournament will be the Lithuanian team. Two of her players at once - center Motejus Krivas and forward Paulus Murauskas - have, according to experts, very good prospects for the upcoming NBA draft, and the 2022 European Championship will be of great importance to them in this sense.
Another potential star of the tournament in Izmir could be attacking defender Ilija Miliyashevich , who will be the clear leader of the Serbian national team, which is also among the contenders for the European Championship medals.
Where to watch the European Championship 2022? Live coverage of the 2022 European Junior Championship will be available on official channel of the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) on YouTube.
Match schedule, results and statistics can be found here
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varieties, how to get, validity period
It is very prestigious to get a title or rank in basketball. For an athlete, this means recognition of the level of professionalism, and each of the professional-level players is constantly striving to improve their skills. Getting the next rank is a goal for any professional and a dream for an amateur. From this article you will learn about the types of titles and ranks in basketball, at what age they can be assigned, who assigns them, how long the status is maintained.
This information will be useful for beginner basketball players, as well as for parents who plan to send their children to the basketball section.
Let's start with the names and designations of basketball titles.
What are the titles and ranks?
In any professional sport titles and regalia are provided, they allow ranking representatives by skill level. Basketball is no exception; in our country in 2017, a list of titles was approved by the relevant ministry.
In the category part, the III-th youthful will be the minimum, then in ascending order the II-nd and I-th. The same are provided for adult athletes. Above the first adult category - the title of a candidate for master of sports. Then come the titles of master of sports and master of sports of international class.
From what age is it assigned?
Each of the listed statuses has a minimum age limit. You can become a master (MS) from the age of 16, if we are talking about the international class (MSMK) - from the age of 17.
You can become a candidate (CMS) from the age of 14, get the previous sports categories - from 13, youth ones are assigned from the age of 11.
At just 11 years old, a child can get his first title, such information impresses the children and parents themselves. There is no upper bar, so you can play basketball at any age, as long as your form allows. Those who are just starting to play will not hurt to learn the basic principles, they are set out in the material “How to learn to play basketball?”.
How to get a title?
If you are interested in how to get a basketball rank or even a title, then refer to the regulatory documents. In this case, you need to study the All-Russian sports qualification. This document is supplemented and corrected every four years. The currently accepted version will remain current until a new one is adopted in 2021.
This kind of encouragement goes to those who take part in tournaments of various significance.
To get the next level, you need to meet the requirements, they are specified in the sports qualification. The standards for holding competitive events are also prescribed.
For each tournament strictly regulated:
- championship level;
- number of participants;
- order of allocation of seats;
- number of games;
- qualification of judges.
Let's give an example of the requirements for conferring a title, for each title they are different. If a junior basketball player plans to become a CCM, he is required to:
- take at least 3rd-4th place at the World Universiade;
- not less than the second place in the European Championship;
- first place in the All-Russian championship;
- not lower than the second place at the national Universiade;
- not lower than third place at the All-Russian Student Games.
There are other conditions and features, how to get CCM in basketball.
In a tournament that awards ranks, a player must play 60% of team games.
Who assigns?
In our country, the Ministry of Sports has been appointed as the authorized body. Implementation is given under the department of the relevant executive bodies. For example, the I category can be assigned by Moskomsport, as well as a candidate. The assignment of lower mass titles is within the authority of educational departments, these are Children's and Youth Sports Schools, the School of the Olympic Reserve, state sports and educational centers. Only the ministry can assign the title of MS and MSMK.
How long is the title valid?
There are only two titles that are valid indefinitely, the highest. The rest are relevant only for a certain period. When a set period has passed, the athlete must confirm their level or undergo procedures to move to a new status. The CCM title is relevant for three years, all youth and sports categories - for two years.
What are the competitions like?
FIBA is the most significant association in the world.
It is she who sets the rules for holding matches and sets trends for the development of sports. FIBA holds world-class tournaments for men and women, and the Olympic Basketball Tournament is also world-class.
The official representative of the Federation in Russia is the VTB United League. She holds the Championships of Russia. He also oversees various organizations: student and youth leagues, streetbasket and minibasket. We hold the following championships:
- Championship of Russia, athletes under 21 years old participate;
- All-Russian Spartakiad, for underage basketball players;
- Student, 17 to 24 years old;
- competitions within the Unified calendar plan, for participants of all age categories;
- Championships of regions, municipalities, cities.
Victories in matches between educational institutions make it possible to get to the city championship, as well as to assign the third sports category. If you win at the city level, then you can take the second one.
To get the first one, you need winnings on a regional scale.
How to get a discharge?
Among basketball players it is tacitly believed that a serious level begins with the second adult category. Therefore, initially everyone strives for it. Such a desire is commendable, it is it that motivates and makes you train more and harder, become better, put all your strength into every game. Let's figure out what you need to do to get a rank in basketball.
As it became clear from the above, not a single bit can be obtained immediately. You can play virtuoso, but not only skill is required, it must be confirmed in the prescribed manner. If a team has more losses than wins, then none of its members will receive a rank. It doesn't matter what skills he has on his own. This is a team game, so personal success comes only through a common cause. It turns out that each basketball master, as well as the master, owes his title not only to himself, but also to his team.
There is also a feedback: it is unprofitable for a promising player to play for a weak team.
Success comes only through constant practice. The path to status can be very long, as a rule, it begins at school age. In childhood, it is easier to acquire the necessary skills and bring them to automatism. How much a child will be able to realize himself depends not only on him, but also on the coach. The mentor not only teaches technique, but also instills discipline, fosters a sports spirit.
That is why parents should be extremely careful when choosing a mentor for their child.
You can get a grade at a sports school, there is a way to do it earlier - to enter a university with a focus on physical development. It is important to clarify that this university has a basketball team. If you have your own club, then there is a chance to get into it and start competing. To win, you need to train a lot and constantly improve. Even world-class basketball stars always have something to learn, being a star does not mean being able to perform all the feints.
You can learn about one of the most difficult tricks, which not all professionals know, from the article “How to do a hook throw in basketball?”.
Winning tournaments between universities allows you to reach the next level - city or district. And as mentioned above, these same victories will bring the opportunity to get the third category. Then comes the city level and the opportunity to get the second, then the regional level, which can open the way to the first.
How to play and win?
To get any of the statuses, you need to play and win. The more victories, the faster the goal will be reached. You also need to try to throw the ball into the ring as often as possible, personal statistics also matter. By the way, it is important to score not only at games, but also in the training process. Serious teams have not only a coach in training, but also an extra. He keeps statistics on the team and players. In children's sections, the function of an extra can be performed by a parent present at the lesson.
Not only hits are taken into account, but also rebounds - defensive and offensive. The fate of victory in each match depends on this. According to average calculations, the leader in rebounds wins at least 75 meetings out of a hundred. Another important criterion is how many times the team lost the ball.
Try to make more free throws, not only free throws are important. This tactic makes opponents nervous and brings them closer to victory. Each victory is a path to the desired title.
Briefly about the main things
In our country, the assignment of all titles is regulated by the Unified All-Russian Sports Qualification. Each applicant receives a personal qualification book, it is issued and registered by an authorized organization. All achievements will be recorded in this book: prizes, awards, significant successes. Each of the entries is one small step towards achieving what you want.
Don't expect titles and ranks in basketball to come quickly and easily.
