How to pick a good basketball

The Complete Guide to Basketballs

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Have you ever noticed how some basketballs sound different when they bounce? You might hear one with a solid-sounding thunk thunk, and another that has more of a reverberation —kind of a sharper thwak.

Whether you want to play like the pros with an official size ball, or just looking for something for your next pickup game, here’s what you need to know before buying a basketball.

Looking to teach your little one the art of dribbling? There’s a ball for that. The seven-inch mini basketball is a good option for small children who are just starting out and learning to play around with a basketball. Mini basketballs can also be used for skill training for older athletes too.

But what if you want to get serious?

Depending on your league, age and gender, there are three commonly used sizes from which to choose.

Most adult men’s leagues — which range from ages 13 and up — use a size 7 basketball, which is 29.5″ in circumference. By comparison, most women’s leagues and youth leagues that cater to children ages 9 – 12 use a size 6 ball, which comes in at 28.5″.

Finally, a size 5 basketball is a full two inches smaller than the men’s size, settling at 27.5″. This ball is intended for children under 9.

The basketball’s material is another feature to take into consideration, although material may largely depend on league requirements if you’re playing competitively.

There are three basic types of material: leather, synthetic (also known as composite) and rubber.

When the pros play, they’re using leather basketballs. While this material may be expensive, it’s soft and supple. Its biggest advantage is a boost in control — even when your palms are sweaty, leather balls are made to maintain a high level of grip. It also helps avoid damage to the wooden flooring of indoor courts. It’s also important to note that leather basketballs should only be used on indoor courts because concrete will rapidly degrade their finish. Plus, they require a break-in period before using them competitively.

Synthetic balls offer a fairly successful middle ground in terms of performance. First, there’s no need to break in this material before using it. Second, it can be used both indoors and outdoors. Third, it’s also very durable. You may find that synthetic scuffs up the court a little, but it should buff out with some elbow grease.

Rubber basketballs are generally made for outdoor courts and called outdoor basketballs. They can offer extra bounce and durability. They can also be a good option for beginners who are just learning or for recreational play.

Also, if you guessed that material would have the largest impact on the sound of your dribble, you’d be right. That satisfying thunk thunk sound comes from a nicely broken-in leather ball, whereas the more piercing thwak comes from a rubber ball.

Most basketballs have a burnt orange color, but some are other colors, like black, blue, yellow and even multi-colored.

Most leagues and teams require a standard orange ball. The other colorful options are more about style, rather than function.

If you’re looking for a competitive-play basketball, be sure to check with your team for more guidelines.

If you’re working on developing your skills for competitive play, consider training basketballs.

The traditional trainer is a weighted rubber ball, weighing usually double or more than your average basketball, and are used to develop strength and form for dribbling, passing and shooting as well as ball-handling skills.

To help improve your shot, try a shooter’s basketball. With precise markers to show proper hand placement, these basketballs are designed to develop your shooting technique.

Another option is a connected basketball, which uses technology to aid you in developing a number of skills. These digital “smartballs” may track your shooting percentage, makes, misses and other stats. Many “smartballs” allow you to challenge friends over social media or send stats to your coach, and even allow you to compete in simulated games, so you get a sense of how you’d perform. Furthermore, some models even have built-in workouts and drills, and include game elements like leveling up.

These “smart” balls use Bluetooth to connect to a smartphone, where you can review all of this data, which can be a useful tool for advanced players looking to spot weaknesses in his or her play.

Identifying the basketball you need is as simple as knowing its purpose and then considering its size, material and color. You can take comfort in knowing, when you hit the court, that you understand the ins and outs of your ball.

Who knows, you may even be able to point out a teammate’s ball material just by hearing their dribble.

Related Articles

How to Choose a Basketball – Complete Guide For all Ages

Basketball is a fascinating sport played by people in different areas of the world. And it has no age limit as people of all ages participate in the excitement of the game both indoors and outdoors. When i initially picked up interest in the game, I went out to get myself a basketball, but I ended up making the wrong choice because of lack of knowledge on how to choose the right basketball.

One thing that can have a significant influence on your game is the kind of basketball you use. After my first mistake, I always wondered about the factors to consider when the right one. So I started scouring through the internet till I was able to find reasonable information after a long research where I then put together a guide for all on how to choose a basketball.

Choosing a Basketball By Size

Image Source: biggamehunters.co.uk

Picking the size of a basketball is very simple if you have the knowledge of the right basketball for you.

Factors like who will be using the basketball and the kind of court it will be played on will help you determine the basketball size that is the best fit for you.

Choosing the right size of the basketball for either you or your child is best done when you put the age group into consideration.

That would be utterly wrong; you should know that there are different sizes of basketball suited for every age group.

Mini Basketball

First is the mini basketball which is a perfect recreational basketball, with a circumference of just 22 inches and weight of 8-12 oz, it helps promote proper handling and eye coordination.

Kids Basketball

The size 5 ball which is the smallest size is considered suitable for young children below the age of 10, preferable for children between the age of 4 to 9 years. It has a circumference of 27.5 inches and weight of 18-20 oz.

Their small hands can comfortably fit around this size of the ball, and it has a perfect weight that allows for easy ball control. Although if you have a child who is under 11 but has a larger than average hand span of children his age, then you can opt for a slightly bigger ball.

Transition Basketball

For children aged 11 and above, this is the intermediate size basketball and it is preferable for children between the age of 11-15 years, the size 6 ball is the correct basketball size for them.

This size of ball measures 28.5 inches in circumference and weighs 20 oz. This ball is used in competitions for young adult males and females in high school, college and even in some professional games.

It is a perfect transition ball for both young male and female teens who are gradually becoming adults.

Official Basketball Size

Finally the size 7 ball, which is the official basketball size with 29. 5 inches in circumference and a weight of 22 oz which is the legal National Basketball Association (NBA) basketball size and weight. It is also used in Federation of International Basketball Leagues.

This ball size is used by professionals or semi-professionals at a different level from the age of 16 years upwards.

Basketball Materials

In choosing a basketball, you have to consider the kinds of courts it will be played on.

Basketball courts can be either indoor or Outdoor; the Outdoor basketball ground surfaces are usually rough compared to that of indoor courts which are quite smooth and less abrasive.

Using the wrong basketball for each court can affect the general play of the game, it can make bouncing very awkward and can lead to fast wear/damage of the basketball.

Basketballs come in three primary materials which are suitable for either indoor or outdoor basketball courts.

Leather Basketball

Basketballs made from leather are good for indoor games. Indoor courts are usually made of wooden floors which are best for leather basketballs, it makes them last longer and also provides a better grip even when the player is sweating.

Professional basketball leagues make use of this kind of basketball as they are made from genuine leather and give the softest and most comfortable feel.

You should avoid using leather balls in outdoor courts because they are usually made of concrete or asphalt which can ruin leather materials and reduce their durability. And leather basketballs are generally the most expensive of all types.

Synthetic Basketball

Synthetic basketballs are made of composite leather and are produced synthetically to have the feel of leather. These kinds of basketball are designed for both outdoor and indoor courts. It is the most durable for use in outdoor courts because it doesn’t wear out like that of the full leather.

And unlike leather basketballs, synthetic type balls don’t require prolonged usage for it to break in and take control and grip better. When played strictly in indoor courts, synthetic basketballs are very durable and sometimes last much longer than leather balls when played on outdoor concrete courts.

The cost for synthetic type basketballs is generally in the middle. Between Leather which is the most expensive and rubber which is least expensive.

Rubber Basketballs

Rubber basketballs are designed for use in both indoors and outdoors court. Mostly used by beginners and is best for people who are on a budget.

It is the most affordable type of basketballs and can bounce well and it is the best fit for outdoor courts and for someone who doesn’t want any particular kind of ball, who needs it just for recreation and not for any competition.

Rubber basketballs are the most durable for outdoor concrete or asphalt floor courts.

Choosing Basketball Based on Colour

The colour most known to everyone is the burnt orange but basketballs also come in many other colours. Basketballs that are made of nontraditional colours usually come in two different colour shades between the lines.

This makes it suitable for areas that are not adequately lit, the different colour shades provide contrast and make it more visible in areas of low light concentration. Colorful basketballs are great for fancy dribbling and basketball tricks like twirling the ball on your finger.

But basically, there are many colours of basketball out there, making the best choice of basketball colour for either kids or adults is quite easy. Basketball colours vary from that of kids, females, and males.

Kids basketball colours

Children have no particular preference in the colour of basketball they play as far as it is colourful and eye-catching they will jump at it. It’s mainly fun for them and less of completion. Children basketball colours are numerous, from red to blue, white, yellow, orange etc

Attractive colours for females

Females equally have no specific preference in basketball colours but they like something attractive and welcoming. The colours are most times mixed with red and white, yellow and white, pink, green and lots more. They equally use the normal burnt orange basketball too, especially in competitions.

Professional colour for Pro-player

The primary color of basketball used by men is the traditional burnt orange basketball, the colour is signified for its easy visibility. It is utilised by men and in all professional leagues, NBA, FIBA and more. The burnt orange basketball colour is more matured and masculine.

Choosing a Basketball By Price

In choosing a basketball based on price. There are merely two basic options for you, its either you go for the branded basketball or you go for the replica.

The branded basketballs are usually much more expensive, even up to 6 times of the replica basketball which is budget-friendly. Notable basketball manufacturing brands like; Spalding which has been the official NBA game ball brand since 1983.

Molten which is mostly used in FIBA world championship events and very common in Asia and in many domestic leagues in different countries around the world. Other brands are Wilson, Rawlings, Nike, and Nivia which produces basketballs used in different basketball leagues in India.

These branded balls have their cost actually in that other. Then you can get a replica of these branded basketballs at many affordable rates and they are usually very durable and will entirely serve their purpose.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which basketball is better leather or rubber?

This depends on the court you are playing on. If you are playing on an indoor court you want to play with a leather ball. If you are playing on an outdoor court the concrete surface can damage the leather balls so a rubber or composite ball may be a better choice.

What size should a basketball be?

A 29.5 circumference is the standard ball size for adult male players over the age of twelve. This is the size of the standard NBA regulation balls. Women play with a smaller ball and children under the age of twelve play with balls of smaller size.

What material should I look for when buying basketball?

When you buy a basketball consider where you will use the ball before you choose the ball. Leather balls are the best and they are recommended for indoor play on wooden courts. Rubber and composite balls are recommended for outdoor play and concrete or asphalt courts.

Final Word

The steps or factors listed above will help you in making the best choice of basketball because it is fit for every category, for all genders and age groups, be it indoor or outdoor courts/ wooden floors or concrete floors and even if you are on a budget.

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 evaluation method 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