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How big is a mini basketball
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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Basketball Size Chart - Recommended Sizes for Kids & Adults
By Jeff Haefner
If you spend a little time watching youth games, practices, or pick up games in this country, you'll see that most young players use the wrong size basketball.
And using the wrong size often leads to bad shooting habits (incorrect technique).
This is partly because most websites (and basketball manufacturers) give recommendations that are frankly out of whack.
Below youll find recommendations from the experts here at Breakthrough Basketball.
Size |
Circumference |
Weight |
Recommended For |
Size 7 |
29.5" |
22 oz |
Men and boys ages 15 and up. This is official size for high school, college, and the pros. |
Size 6 |
28.5" |
20 oz |
Boys ages 12-14. Girls and women ages 12 and up. This is the official size for womens high school, college, and pro basketball. |
Size 5 |
27.5" |
17 oz |
Boys and girls ages 9-11 years old. This is the standard youth basketball you find in most stores. |
Size 4 |
25.5" |
14 oz |
Boys and girls ages 5-8 years old. |
Size 3 |
22" |
10 oz |
Boys and girls ages 4-8 years old. Also known as "mini" basketball. |
Size 1 |
16" |
8 oz |
Boys and girls ages 2-4 year olds. Also known as "micro-mini" basketball. |
Nerf Toy |
9-20" |
1-5 oz |
Great for toddlers 0-4 years old. And fun for young hearted adults too! |
Notice the difference in the weight for each size?
It might not seem like a lot but it makes a huge difference when shooting the basketball.
A mens size 7 ball is more than twice the weight of the size 3 mini!
This extra weight makes it impossible for young kids to shoot with proper technique.
Young kids compensate by dropping their shoulder, twisting, and slinging it up to the basket. And in some cases players flick the ball with both hands.
These bad habits tend to stick with players into their adult years, and theyre much harder to break that youd think!
So take the time to pick the correct size and weight basketball for your child.
Want to get more playing time and become the standout player on your team? Download our FREE Driveway Skill Workout for an expertly designed regimen that will have you scoring from anywhere on the court.
To your basketball success!
Jeff and Joe Haefner
Related Pages and Helpful Resources
Why Standard Youth Basketballs Are Too Heavy and Result in Bad Shooting Habits
Youth Basketball Shooting: 3 Things Youth Coaches & Players Need to Adjust
Order Basketballs by Size
Leave your comments, suggestions, and questions below. ..
Basketball
Basketball (from the English "basket" - "basket" and "ball" - "ball") is a team game, the purpose of which is to throw the ball into the opponent's basket (special hoop) with your hands. This game, which has now gained worldwide popularity, was invented in 1891 by a simple teacher at the American College of Springfield (Massachusetts) James Naismith.
Noticing that the students were bored with the generally accepted sports games, the resourceful physical teacher nailed peach baskets to the balcony in the sports hall and suggested that the students throw the ball into them, bypassing the opponent's players. Moreover, the ball was passed from hand to hand, and after a successful throw, the basket had to be emptied - one of the students had to climb a ladder and get the ball.
Time has passed - and from ordinary fun basketball has become a well-known Olympic sport. Now, few people do not know what basketball is. But, unfortunately, very often the knowledge of an ordinary viewer is superficial, because there are many myths about the game itself and people who have devoted their lives to basketball, which we will try to debunk.
Myths about basketball
The game created by James Naismith had no analogues in history
More often than not, the new is the well-forgotten old. A game like basketball has existed for about 3,000 years. A playground with two stone rings was found in Mexico, and a bas-relief depicting the beheading of the captain of a defeated team is clear evidence of how different the rules of the game were in ancient times from those of today. The rules followed by the Aztecs in the 16th century during the game of Pok-ta-Pok (an analogue of basketball - the game was played with elbows, knees and head, the goal of the players was to throw a rubber ball into a vertically fixed ring) were softer - the winner had the right to appropriate all the property of the spectator, which he (the player) will be able to catch up.
During the existence of basketball, the rules of the game have changed little
An erroneous opinion. At the beginning of the history of basketball, players were required to follow only 13 rules, now their number has exceeded 200, and some innovations are dictated by the need to make the game more spectacular and vibrant (for example, the 30 second rule). The rules of the game are periodically reviewed by the FIBA World Technical Commission and then approved by the Central Bureau of the Federation.
All basketballs are the same
Of course, basketball equipment is standardized (the mass of the ball is 567-650 grams, the circumference is 749-780 mm), but there is still a difference. The smallest balls are used to play mini-basketball, somewhat larger ones are used in the games of women's teams, the largest ones are best suited for male players. In addition, indoor balls are used only for playing indoors, and for indoor and outdoor basketball competitions, universal balls (indoor / outdoor) are better suited.
Only very tall athletes can succeed in basketball
In fact, players of average and even relatively small stature can succeed in this game. For example, the height of the world famous Tyrone Boggs was only 160 cm, Earl Boykins - 165 cm, Anthony Webb - 175 cm. technical techniques of the game, and not on the color of the player's skin.
Basketball can be played on any suitable court
Yes, it is. However, official competitions in this sport have been held exclusively indoors since 1968.
It's easy for a center to attract attention.
This is not entirely true. The fact is that the role in which the player performs implies a certain attitude of fans to his actions. A center who scores from above is quite normal, but a player who has done the same, whose height is 169-175 cm - this is already an out of the ordinary event that deserves respect and thunderous applause. So, to gain fame, the center will have to work hard.
Many tall guys dream of becoming a center
Completely erroneous opinion. Very rarely, tall people themselves come to basketball - most often, coaches or scouts, having met a tall, strong kid on the street, spend a lot of time and effort persuading, and often their efforts are in vain.
A bad basketball player will be quickly kicked out of team
Much depends on what role the player has. For example, a center can play poorly, move from team to team, and still stay afloat. And after a serious injury and a long break, he can easily return to big sport. A small player will not be able to do this.
Center players get injured more often than other players
Alas, this is true. Tall basketball players often suffer from problems with knee joints, and spinal injuries (due to a pronounced center of gravity) are common for them.
Very tall basketball players are often ashamed of their height
A few decades ago, this state of affairs really took place. After all, it was difficult for a person who was too tall to acquire normal clothes for himself, and in ordinary life such people were most often clumsy. Nowadays, thanks to the latest training methods, centers perfectly coordinate their bodies, therefore growth for them both in sports is a help, and in ordinary life is not a hindrance.
The mental development of centers lags behind the physical
There was a time when, due to increased training, the pituitary gland of centers worked only to increase growth, as a result of which mental development slowed down. New training methods do not have any effect on the pituitary gland, because the intelligence of a tall player is in no way inferior (and sometimes even exceeds) the abilities of basketball players of average height.
Any professional basketball player can become a coach
Most often, point guards become coaches, and, for example, a center will have to learn a lot to start teaching. But, most often, at the end of a career, it is the centers who can go on a well-deserved rest with a calm heart - the amount of earnings allows them to do so.
On the plane, the center is bought a whole row, special beds are provided at the base, etc.
In the NBA, this state of affairs really takes place. But athletes in many countries simply cannot afford it, and therefore suffer during flights and in hotels on too short beds. True, if the bed does not have a back, you can find a way out (for example, substitute stools or hang your legs).
Coaches do not criticize the performance of centers because they are afraid
In fact, tall players rarely demonstrate explosive character and physical superiority over others. Most often, centers are very kind, attentive, and, at the same time, slow. They perceive information slowly, think it over for a long time, but then they do everything right.
Posts are not friends with other players
Many tall players do not have many friends not only in the team, but also in life. The fact is that the centers are typical phlegmatic. They are kind, reliable, but they themselves will never take the first step towards rapprochement. And not at all because they consider themselves superior to others - most often they are simply lazy.
history, rules of the game, equipment and site requirements
Mini-basketball can hardly be called a very famous game, but it definitely has its popularity. It is played by children under 12 years old, for whom ordinary basketball is not quite suitable yet. This discipline can be called quite young compared to many other games.
Mini Basketball Rules
The basics of the game are in many ways similar to how big basketball is played, but the young age and short stature of the players, as well as some other features, led to the introduction of adjustments to mini-basketball. The basketball court, as in an adult sport, has a rectangular shape, and its sides are 28 and 15 meters. It must be level so that the players can move freely.
The main marking lines do not differ much from those on a regular basketball court, but there are some nuances: lines for free throws are drawn 4 meters from the backboard; also removed the throw line for three points.
All items needed to play mini-basketball are similar to standard ones, except for the ball, the weight of which should not exceed 500 grams with a circumference of 73 cm. It is usually covered with a cover of leather, rubber or fabric based on synthetic materials. The height of the ring fastening depends on the age of the players: 2.6 meters - for participants under 12 years old, 3.05 meters - for athletes from 12 years old and older.
The composition of the judging panel is as follows:
- Two or three referees who monitor the progress of the game, point out violations and take into account points.
- The scorer who keeps the score sheet and records the scores and fouls that the teams have received.
- The timekeeper has the task of keeping track of time and, at the right time, notifying about the end of a period or match.
10 athletes from each side participate in the game, while there are 5 on the field, and the rest are waiting in line for replacement. The team is led by a coach who gives advice and directs player substitutions. The uniforms of the participants of one team must be of the same color, and the numbers must be applied to the jerseys on both sides.
Game progress
Usually a mini-basketball match consists of 2 halves of 16 minutes and a ten-minute break. The halves are further divided into 2 periods of 8 minutes, between which there is a break of 2 minutes.
According to the rules, the game is stopped when:
- a foul occurs - the player breaks the rules;
- have a dropped ball;
- period time expires;
- player injured or disqualified;
- ball returned from out;
- unsuccessful free throws;
- the judge gave a direct order.
The start of the 1st of the three periods starts from the moment when the referee throws the ball in the center of the court. At the moment when one of the athletes touches the projectile, they begin to count the time. With the beginning of the 2nd half, the opponents need to change sides of the field.
A player is credited with hits when he throws the ball into the basket exactly from above, while he needs to go through it or linger there. In this case, the team is awarded 2 points or 1 point on the free throw. The game continues for another 5 seconds after a successful hit from any of the points of the end line. The ball is allowed to be touched only with hands. Violations are considered to be running with him and punching or kicking. Movement with the ball is permitted if the following conditions are met:
- While remaining in place, the player in possession of the ball has the right to move using only one foot, while the other works as a support. It is forbidden to tear it off the ground. The only exception is jumping while throwing the ball into the basket.
- Each moment of movement with the ball must end with a throw or a pass to another player on your team.
- The dribbler is only allowed to use one hand.
- A player has possession of the ball for a maximum of 5 seconds, after which it must be passed to a teammate or thrown.
The violation is not counted if the player unintentionally touches the equipment with his foot.
Fouls
In mini-basketball, the concept of a foul is provided - the moment when a player violates the rules of the game in case of contact with an opponent or inappropriate behavior. If a foul occurs, the referee awards a free throw. It is performed by the player who was the object of the violation of the rules. If an athlete is removed from the game for inappropriate behavior, the free throw may be taken by any member of the opposing team.
According to the rules of the game, a foul is recognized:
- Opponent blocking;
- Attempts to push;
- Holding a player;
- Footrest support;
- Interfering with the movement of a player of the other team;
- Other rude tactics and inappropriate behavior.
In the event that a foul is committed against a player who did not throw the ball into the basket, then the projectile must be passed to this athlete and thrown from outside the area. Otherwise, the player who threw the ball is given the opportunity to take two free throws. The throw is not required if the ball went into the basket during the registered infringement. In this case, the opposing team introduces a projectile into the game from behind the end line.
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Mini-basketball ethics require players to treat their opponents with mutual respect. An athlete who violates these conditions is given a warning, and the opposing side is given the opportunity to make two free throws. In the event of a repeated foul, the player is removed from the court. A participant with five personal infractions must leave the game, after which a substitution is made.
Training Basics for Beginners
In the case when the group includes children aged 6-7 years, the training should develop the abilities associated with active movement. For this, exercises in jumping, running and catching the ball are used. With the achievement of the age of 8-9 years, the study of the techniques of playing mini-basketball and the main techniques in it is gradually added to classes based on movement: how to dribble, throw and pass the ball, as well as initial defense tactics. At this stage, children already need to understand and master the functions of attack and defense.
When young athletes turn 10-12 years old, the basics of basketball begin to improve: mastering the analytical component of the competition, learning to assess the situation on the site and change their role depending on the position on the field. After all, the ability to choose the right tactics during the match will always be useful.
The third stage of training, when the basic skills in basketball have already been formed, is to conduct basic games in the formats 1:1, 2:2, 3:3, 4:4 with a gradual transition to the 5:5 format. By this time, children should show understanding and techniques of play. In fact, this stage is the beginning of the most conscious training. The main skills are:
- do not run while holding the ball;
- not start dribbling again after the ball has been picked up during play;
- be able to quickly figure out what to do with the ball after taking possession of it;
- the ability to defend against an opponent who is trying to take the ball away;
- ability to beat the opposing team.
The main task of a coach is to control the actions of novice athletes during the competition: to observe how each of the players behaves on the court, to notice their strengths and weaknesses, to draw up a program that will allow his wards to improve. Under the supervision of a professional, children can progress, developing their basketball skills more harmoniously.
Thus, mini-basketball can be called an excellent game for children who are keen on sports. It will help them not only to get a useful and interesting hobby, but also, if they wish, to develop talents for a successful career in big basketball. Therefore, if the child shows interest in the ball, you can try to introduce him to this exciting game.
Game history
Mini basketball was invented in 1948 by American teacher Jay Archer. According to rumors, the main idea of the game came to him when Jay accidentally looked at a basketball game from the other end of the binoculars. Seeing how actively the miniature silhouettes of the players run, the man thought that basketball could be adapted for those who are shorter than the average player - children. Then Jay decided to lighten the balls and move the rings lower for greater convenience.
At that time his thoughts were not developed properly. Only in 1967, the main representatives of big basketball, Frenchman R. Busnel, Spaniard A. Lopez and Englishman W. Jones, supported the initiative to introduce this sport. A year later, with the support of the International Basketball Federation (FIBA), the International Mini-Basketball Committee was created. Thus began the path of the game as a discipline for different countries.
International Mini Basketball Committee, later renamed FIBA Mini Basketball, from 19For 91 years he was a regular organizer of international festivals called "Jamboree". This word was taken from history, and specifically from the period of time when the tribes of the Indians held general meetings to demonstrate their best representatives, their abilities, level of knowledge and achievements.
Like the Indian tribes, the FIBA Eurocommittee Mini-Basketball from year to year began to invite teams from most European countries. According to the Jamboree competition policy, none of the teams was considered a loser. One of the main mini-basketball slogans written by FIBA is the phrase: “Playing mini-basketball is fun and not a competition!” During the changes in the structure of FIBA in 2002, the mini-basketball committee ended up as part of one of the federation's commissions.
As far as the history of this sport in Russia is concerned, games like mini-basketball were originally played without general approved rules or the organization of official matches. Especially often they were arranged in the Baltic republics. The mini-basketball organization was created only in 1973 with the support of the USSR Basketball Federation. This decision became the starting point for holding official events for teams of young athletes. For the first time the mini-basketball festival of the USSR was organized in Leningrad.
Such events were not regular. The most memorable of them can be considered the congress in Namangan, Uzbekistan, where the best teams from almost all the republics of the Soviet Union gathered. It is also worth noting that many major festivals were organized with the help of the Russian Council of the DSO "Spartak", headed by a member of the FIBA Central Bureau Boris Nikolayevich Ivanov. He can be called the main supporter of the idea of organizing a children's mini-basketball club, capable of raising the game to a higher level with the help of the basketball federations of the republics, local authorities and people.
For example, in the city of Podolsk, Moscow Region, on October 21, 1990, the All-Union Club "Minibasket" was founded at the first All-Union Conference. Representatives of Moscow, St. Petersburg and several republics of the USSR elected BN Ivanov as the first head of the club. At the same event, a representative of the Belarusian delegation, Tamara Sokolskaya, compiled a detailed program for teaching children to play basketball at the age of 5.
After the collapse of the USSR, the Minibasket club became the main organization involved in this sport in the Russian Federation. With his support in the city of Lyubertsy at 19In 1993, the first Russian mini-basketball cup was organized. The main idea of the new tournament was as follows: to gather the leading teams of the country at the end of the year to determine the best teams and players among them. Such competitions were considered as the initial selection for the main teams in Russia when moving from a younger age group to an older one, which helped the coaches find new personnel. Many famous adult basketball players started their careers in mini-basketball training at a young age.
In addition to the Cup of Russia, the Minibasket club holds various events related to this sport discipline: from street mini-basketball championships to international tournaments. The best Russian teams have won several times at the largest international competitions organized by FIBA.
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