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How to put air in a basketball without needle
š How To Pump A Basketball Without A Needle? [2022]
In todayās guide, I am going to show you how to pump a basketball without a needle.
Ideally, you would have a pump + needle to inflate your basketball in a more civilized way. But if you donāt have a needle and have to pump your basketball, youāll have to improvise.
Below, I will introduce you to 4 ways to pump a basketball with no needles. These methods donāt require that you buy anything ā that would defeat the guideās purpose since if you had to buy something, you should buy a needle.
4 Ways To Pump A Basketball Without A Needle
1. Use your tubeless bikeās valve stem
If you have a tubeless bike and a pump, you may use one of its valves to pump your basketball. Essentially, you will be using the valve stem as a replacement for the needle.
Hereās how to use a tubeless valve stem to inflate your basketball.
Unscrew the fastener on the stem on one of your bikeās wheels and remove the stem.
If there is any rubber coating on the stem, pull it off.
Attach the stem to your pump.
Insert the free end of the stem into your basketball.
Start pumping.
And hereās a video demonstrating how to use a bike tubeless valve stem to inflate a ball:
If you have a tubeless bike, then this actually is the first option that you should try. Since the stem is similar to a regular ball needle, a tubeless valve stem allows you to essentially inflate the basketball traditionally.
But if you donāt have a tubeless bike, then read on for some other methods.
2. Use a can of compressed air
If you have a can of compressed air lying around, then you will be able to inflate your ball fairly easily. After using a tubeless valve stem, this is perhaps the easiest way of inflating balls without a needle.
Hereās how you should use a can of compressed air to inflate a basketball:
Insert one end of the tube that comes with the can into the ballās air hole.
Hook the other end of the tube to your can of compressed air.
Start pumping air into the ball. Pump the air in short bursts ā otherwise, the expanding gas will absorb heat from the can, cooling it down.
Compressed air works well when the ball is just slightly underinflated. If you need to inflate a ball fully, then youāll probably need to go through several cans of compressed air. If you have no other option, this is fine, but you should avoid doing this often since youāll literally be wasting your money by chewing through compressed air.
3. Use a balloon to inflate your basketball
Another popular way of inflating balls without a needle is to use a balloon. This method can be a little finicky, but itās at least worth a shot if you canāt use other methods.
For this method, you will need:
A balloon, preferably a larger one.
A thin straw or anything else that can fit into your basketballās air hole.
A paper clip or clamp.
And hereās how you would use a balloon to inflate your basketball:
Inflate the balloon as much as you can.
Seal the balloon with a paper clip or clamp.
Insert your thin straw into the balloonās hole.Ā
Insert the other end of the straw into the basketballās air hole.
Remove the paper clip/clamp to let the air move from the balloon to the ball. I recommend that you hold the balloon to keep it from shooting itself away.
Depending on the balloonās size, you may need to pump it several times to get the ball inflated.
I personally donāt really like this method. It requires plenty of tools ā you may not have a balloon or a straw thin enough for the ballās air hole lying around. Besides, the air may leak into your room rather than go into the basketball.Ā
You could make this method work, but it requires a lot of effort.
4. Use a pen ink tube to craft a needle
Finally, you may try to craft a temporary needle from a pen ink tube. This method is relatively simple and is a great option if the previous methods donāt work.
You will need four things:
A metal paper clip coated in plastic.
A ballpoint pen, ideally with little remaining ink so that you donāt have to drain it.Ā
Tape.
Scissors.
This method has been proposed by Flickr user Wendel Fisher, so all credit goes to them.
And hereās how you make a homemade ball needle:
Take your pen apart and remove the ink tube. Keep the writing cap ā youāll need it later to connect the DIY needle to the pump.
You need about an inch of tube free of any ink. If necessary, drain the tube by removing the writing point and then clean the tube by running alcohol through it.
Use your scissors to cut about an inch of the tube.
Insert the ink tube into the writing cap.
Straighten your paper clip and insert it into the air hole of the ball.
Cut around the edges of the clipās plastic coating and pull the metal wire out. The plastic coating should remain inside the ball.
Insert the plastic coating into your writing cap from the pointy end and tape the area to seal it.
Place the writing cap against the end of the pump and seal it with some tape.
Firmly holding your improvised āneedleā, start slowly pumping the ball. You may need a friend to hold the needle in place while you are pumping.
This is a pretty complicated way of solving a rather simple problem, but if you need a pumped ball and have no other options, it should work just fine.
Other Useful Basketball Articles
Can You Pump Up A Basketball At The Gas Station?
You can inflate your basketball at a gas station, but you probably wonāt be able to do so without a needle. So within the context of this guide, pumping your ball at a gas station isnāt an option. But if we were talking about pumping balls without a pump, then it would work.
You could pay a visit to a bike shop if there is one nearby. If you are outdoors and donāt have any tools with you, this would be an ideal option.
If the guys at the shop arenāt too busy, they should be able to help you. You should probably also pay them or purchase something (a needle, for example) just to be polite.
The 4th Quarter
If you need to pump your basketball often, then after you are done inflating it without a needle, do yourself a favor and buy a needle/pump ā you wonāt have to deal with any balloons or compressed air anymore.
Youād be just wasting your time if you were to stick to the listed methods rather than inflate balls the way they are supposed to be inflated.
How to Pump a Basketball Without a Needle (3 Methods)
When shooting hoops by yourself or playing basketball with your friends, there are few things worse than your ball going flat. While it would be great if everyone had a needle and basketball pump at all times, that isnāt always the case.
I can think of several times where my friends and I had to cut a game short due to no one having a needle to inflate the ball. Itās annoying and also incredibly frustrating. Thankfully, there are a number of different ways you can pump up a basketball (whether indoor or outdoor) without needing to have a needle at all. This guide is going to look at a few of them.
Quick Navigation
Method 1: Use a Can of Compressed Air
Best to use for: If you are without a needle and pump, a can of compressed air is probably the quickest and easiest way to fill up your ball. It offers you something very similar to the needle, so getting the air in the ball will be simple. Of course, you likely need to be at home for this to work as very few people take compressed air out with them. Even then, however, it is easy enough to go to a store near where you are and get a can of compressed air for a very affordable price.
Things to prepare:
The ball
Can of compressed air (make sure it isnāt empty)
Potentially a second can if your ball is incredibly flat
How to do:
Put the end of the straw of the can into the basketball. It should fit quite easily.
Slowly start to press the trigger to allow the air to go inside the ball. Do it slowly and carefully for the best results. Once the ball is inflated to the desired amount, take out the straw and hit the courts!
Method 2: Utilize a Balloon
Best to use for: This is great for people who are at home, as most of us have some balloons lying around. It is quite easy and quick but does require the use of a few other items like a thin straw, and a paper clip or clamp. Itās not great for those who are out at a public court, as you likely donāt have balloons with you.
Things to prepare:
The ball itself
The balloon (likely more than one to be safe)
A paper clip or clamp
A thin straw or a coffee stirrer
How to do:
The first thing to do is to blow up the balloon with an ample amount of air.
Once the balloon is blown up, donāt tie it like you normally would, but use the clamp or paper clip to close it up temporarily.
Next, you need to connect the thin straw or stirrer to the balloon, and put the other into or at the air hole of the ball.
Once the clip is taken off, the air should begin to flow through the straw into the opening of the ball, inflating it.
Do this as many times as it takes to get your ball to an air level that you are comfortable with. It might take a couple of balloons.
Method 3: Go to a Bike Shop or Gas Station
Best to use for: This is a great option for you if you are out and about, and donāt have a pump, needle or anything like that at home. If you donāt have the materials for the other two methods, this could work. Going to a bike shop or gas station is a good idea as they have air pumps and might even have the attachment you need. This method is very easy and simple but could take a while to find a gas station or bike shop nearby. Also, they might not have the needle attachment so it couldnāt hurt to call ahead.
Things to prepare:
The ball
Find a safe way to get to the shop or station
Potentially pick up a basketball needle if they donāt have them
How to do:
Get to the bike shop or gas station, after calling ahead to ensure they can help you.
Use the correct attachment to inflate the ball to your liking.
Be sure to thank them if they donāt charge you. Also, consider buying something small for their kindness.
Final Words
We hope that this guide has been able to help you learn how to pump up a basketball without a needle. When trying any of the aforementioned, be sure to do it safely to protect yourself and your basketball.
Have a method that wasnāt mentioned here? If so, let us know in the comments below.
4 easy ways :: SYL.ru
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Author Yulia Abdulbarova
Almost every ball - football, volleyball, children's, basketball, gymnastics - is suitable for use only when it is properly inflated with air. Therefore, a special pump, a needle, and sometimes even silicone grease are often sold with it. But imagine that all this is simply not at hand. How to pump up a ball without a needle? We have selected for you several effective folk methods.
Method 1: Compressor
How to inflate a ball without a needle? Contact any of the car services in your locality - workers will help you for free or for a nominal amount. Do not ignore tire shops: there will definitely be powerful compressors for pumping car tires. One thing: there is a risk of pumping the product with air, which will lead to its damage or even explosion.
Compressor - equipment from which air is released under pressure. Therefore, this is a perfect answer to the question: "How to inflate a ball without a needle and a pump?" If possible, it is recommended to carry out the procedure together: one person will turn the compressor on and off, and the second person will hold the ball and press the cord, controlling the process of air intake. The hose with the nozzle is pressed tightly against the valve, after which the device turns on at full power. It must be deactivated immediately as soon as the surface of the ball becomes hard. That's all!
We also draw your attention to the fact that many models of car compressors have special nozzles for pumping balls with air.
The tools here are among the most affordable: a bicycle pump is in almost every home, you can easily buy electrical tape in a manufactured goods store, hypermarket, a syringe in a pharmacy. How to pump up a ball without a needle in this way? Easier than simple:
Take a needle from a syringe - first of all, you need to grind its sharp tip on asphalt, brick, stone, curb or with a special knife. Too sharp, it will easily pierce the nipple, which will make the ball unusable. The best would be a needle for blood transfusion systems - it is thick, durable, does not bend.
In the second step, you make a kind of adapter from electrical tape - 10-12 layers of it are enough. They need to be wound tightly so that the air does not come out when pumping back.
How to inflate a ball without a needle? Attach the invention to a bicycle pump and proceed with the procedure.
Method No. 3: syringe
How to inflate a ball without a needle - volleyball, basketball, football? Use a large medical syringe! This is in the most extreme case, because the method is quite exhausting - you will spend about 2 hours on the procedure.
As with the second method, you will need to blunt the needle, otherwise you will damage the nipple and the ball will deflate all the time. Which syringe to choose? The more, the better:
It's really possible to inflate the ball with 20-cubic meters in 30-40 minutes.
10cc syringe will keep you busy with the ball for one to two hours.
Before starting the procedure, we recommend that you treat the nipple with silicone grease - this will protect it from damage by an imperfect needle from a syringe. It is simple to act: insert the needle into the hole, pressing the lever of the syringe, release the air. Then remove the tool, return the lever to its original position and repeat the procedure.
Method 4: Needle but no pump
We've figured out how to inflate a ball without a needle (basketball, volleyball, football, etc.) But what if you have one (or you made your own needle), and is there no pump? We offer the following instruction:
The pump will be replaced by an ordinary plastic bottle from a carbonated drink. As a last resort - a dense plastic bag without holes.
Now you need to screw the needle into the cork of the container or solder it. This will be the switch. Check that it does not let air through.
Then lubricate the ball nipple with silicone grease.
But now you need to pump air with your hands (or, if you prefer, with your feet) into our homemade pump, from where it will flow through the needle into the ball.
Other ways
Here are some more tips:
If you can't find a medical syringe, you can replace its needle with an empty ballpoint pen.
If you managed to pump up the ball just a little, then you can restore its hardness and elasticity like this: just hold it for a while in hot water. From this, the air inside the product will heat up, which will expand, which will complement the effect of jumping.
Silicone nipple grease can be replaced with machine oil.
The needle can be attached to the cap of a plastic bottle for a homemade pump with a glue gun.
Instead of a compressor, bicycle pump, bag or bottle, you can also use a regular rubber bulb.
A compressed air bottle, car spare tire or trash bag can also act as a pump.
So we have sorted out all the available ways to pump any ball with an air valve, if there was no pump and a special needle nearby. Contact a car repair shop, wield a medical syringe, build your own tool - choose what is most suitable for you.
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Also read
š How to properly inflate the ball: instructions
Football, basketball, volleyball and children's rubber balls are filled with air, giving the necessary volume and hardness. Any ball gradually deflates, becoming unsuitable for a comfortable game, and many do not understand how to pump it up correctly, so we will tell you. The service life of the product and the convenience of the players depend on the correct pumping. It is recommended to use a pump and a special needle, which can be bought in sports stores and hypermarkets.
How many atmospheres to inflate the balls
Many people determine how much to inflate the ball empirically, but it is better to be guided by the manufacturer's recommendations. This information is usually located near the nipple and is indicated in the Bar indicators. The average values āāfor how many atmospheres to inflate balls are as follows:
for playing on hard surfaces up to 0.8 bar;
in the gym - about 0.6 bar;
on loose ground or lawn - 0.6-0.8 bar.
This applies to football, basketball and volleyball, but a gymnastics ball or children's rubber ball requires less pressure - they are pumped up by eye. Professional soccer balls, which teams play on the field, are pumped up to a pressure of 0.8-1 bar.
But how can you inflate a soccer ball at home if the pump does not have a pressure gauge? A properly inflated product should be moderately firm and elastic. A loose structure is a sign of insufficient pressure.
Checking the pump is very simple: raise the ball to head level and release. If it bounces off the hard floor to waist level (basketball is higher), the pump is good.
Instructions for inflating the ball
There are videos on the net on how to inflate the ball, and recommendations for inflating with a syringe, plastic bottle and other non-standard devices are published. Most of them are useless in real life, so let's see how you can inflate the ball with a pump and a needle:
Check the quality of the purchased needle. On its surface there should be no roughness and points that could damage the rubber nipple.
We recommend that you buy silicone oil for balls, which is applied to the needle before inserting it into a tight hole. So you protect the valve from damage and increase the elasticity of the nipple, extending its service life.
Use a pump with a built-in pressure gauge and refer to it.
If the pump does not have a pressure sensor, determine how the soccer ball should be inflated by eye.
To prolong the life of the ball, experts advise to release the pressure a little after the game. So the product will retain elasticity, and the seams will last longer.
How to inflate a ball without a needle
We will immediately note such instructions as how to inflate the ball with a syringe or a plastic bottle. In real conditions, this is impossible to do or the process will take an unreasonably long time. If there is no special needle, try the method with a medical needle.
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You will need a needle purchased from a pharmacy. The thicker it is, the better, so you can look for a needle from a blood transfusion system. Grind the sharp end on asphalt or a knife sharpening stone. The blunt tip will not damage the rubber nipple.
Wrap tape around the base of the needle to secure it firmly to the pump. Try to create a tight connection so that it can withstand the necessary pressure. Inflating a rubber, jumper ball or gymnastic fitball will not be difficult, but inflating a basketball or soccer ball will be more difficult due to higher pressure.
The main thing is to insert a homemade needle into the hole of the nipple smoothly and carefully so as not to damage the inner walls or pierce the rubber. Careless actions can damage the valve, causing it to stop holding air.
Is it possible to inflate the ball with a compressor
How else to inflate the ball without a needle and without a pump? Use a car compressor, the tip of the tube of which must be firmly attached to the nipple and turn on the device. The method is effective, but there is another one.
You can use the compressor in a tire shop or car service, but in this case there is a risk of pumping the ball or damaging the nipple. It is necessary to act carefully, gradually applying pressure. It is better not to trust the process to service workers, but ask them to do everything on their own. It is necessary to pump air from the gun smoothly and in small portions so as not to exceed the number of atmospheres when pumping, or so that the nipple does not fall inside.
Helpful hints for inflating the ball
How to inflate a fitness, football or basketball ball with a pump with or without a needle should be clear to you, but we also recommend that you follow these tips: Exceeding the recommended pressure will affect the geometry of the ball and result in excessive tension at the seams.
Inserting a dry needle into a nipple without silicone lubrication can rub dry rubber, causing the valve to fail over time.
Do not store the ball in the sun or in freezing temperatures. If you store it in the trunk of a car, the air inside will compress and the ball will shrink a little. When you come to the hall and pump up the ball, it will soon warm up and may burst from a strong blow.
This method is relatively simple and is a great option if the previous methods donāt work.
The plastic coating should remain inside the ball.
If you are outdoors and donāt have any tools with you, this would be an ideal option.
Itās annoying and also incredibly frustrating. Thankfully, there are a number of different ways you can pump up a basketball (whether indoor or outdoor) without needing to have a needle at all. This guide is going to look at a few of them.
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Also, they might not have the needle attachment so it couldnāt hurt to call ahead.
Therefore, a special pump, a needle, and sometimes even silicone grease are often sold with it. But imagine that all this is simply not at hand. How to pump up a ball without a needle? We have selected for you several effective folk methods. 
The hose with the nozzle is pressed tightly against the valve, after which the device turns on at full power. It must be deactivated immediately as soon as the surface of the ball becomes hard. That's all! 
It is simple to act: insert the needle into the hole, pressing the lever of the syringe, release the air. Then remove the tool, return the lever to its original position and repeat the procedure. 
Car pump from the cigarette lighter 
Try to create a tight connection so that it can withstand the necessary pressure. Inflating a rubber, jumper ball or gymnastic fitball will not be difficult, but inflating a basketball or soccer ball will be more difficult due to higher pressure. 
It is better not to trust the process to service workers, but ask them to do everything on their own. It is necessary to pump air from the gun smoothly and in small portions so as not to exceed the number of atmospheres when pumping, or so that the nipple does not fall inside. 
