How to Inflate a Basketball (What You Need + 5 Steps)
Inflating a basketball is not something you really need to do all that often. When you buy a brand new basketball, it is usually already inflated so you really don’t think too much about it. After a while, basketballs tend to lose a little air and if you let one sit around for a long time, it will definitely end up flat.
Even an often used basketball will eventually need air. You may go out to play a game and notice that your ball is not bouncing quite as it should. Cold weather may also lower the pressure in a basketball making it seem unresponsive when you dribble and shoot. In either case, you can always add a little air to solve the problem.
Why should you care if your basketball is properly inflated? How do you know when your basketball is properly inflated? What is the best way to properly inflate your basketball? These are all common questions with fairly simple answers. Let’s take a look at each question one at a time.
Why Should I Properly Inflate My Basketball?
A properly inflated basketball will ensure that your practice, one-on-one game, full-court five-on-five game or even your game of HORSE is the best experience that it can be. An underinflated ball will not have any “action”, meaning it will not bounce very well, which will make it more difficult to dribble. Also, it will not bank off the backboard as well and bounce passes will not go as far as you intend them to go.
An overinflated ball can be bad as well. It will bounce too high when you dribble, bank too hard off the backboard and bounce passes will go farther than you intend them to go. This is why it is important to have your basketball inflated to the specified pressure or at least near the specified pressure.
How Do I know If My Basketball is Properly Inflated?
The standard pressure recommended for a basketball is 7 – 9 PSI (48.26 – 62.05 kPa). Unless you have a pressure gauge, and many air pumps do (we’ll talk about that in the next section), then you will not know what the air pressure in your basketball is. Not to worry, there is a simple method that you can use to check the inflation of your ball. It won’t give you the PSI (or kPa), but it will be good enough to get you back out on the court.
Hold the basketball at about the level of your face.
Drop the basketball.
Let the ball bounce.
If the ball is properly inflated, it should bounce back up to around your waist level.
Another great way to tell is just by playing with the ball and dribbling it. You can often tell if it is under or over-inflated. Different players prefer various levels of inflation, so an ideal inflation level to one player may be too much or not enough to others. An interesting thing to do next time you watch a game or attend one live is to watch which players walk over to the referee before tip-off and test the ball by grabbing it and dribbling.
What’s the Best Way to Properly Inflate a Basketball
I have seen many videos and instructions out there on the internet that explain how to inflate a ball without the proper equipment. While these methods may or may not work, it is always best to use the proper equipment because you can ensure that you are inflating the basketball to the correct pressure. Using the proper equipment will also help prevent you from damaging your basketball.
Let’s take a look at what you will need to properly inflate your basketball.
What You Will Need
Inflation Needle
These are relatively cheap and can be found at almost any store that carries any type of athletic equipment. They can also be found easily online.
See the picture below if you are not familiar with what they look like.
Inflation Needle. Photo by Melissa Medina.
Air Pump
There are many different types of air pumps. Below are a few types that can be used such as a hand pump, a bicycle pump or an electric pump. Basically, you need a basketball pump that can connect to the needle. Some air pumps come with built-in pressure gauges which can show you the air pressure as you are inflating the ball. You can also use an air compressor but that can be a little more complicated depending on the type of compressor and the connectors available.
Three types of air pumps.
Air Pressure Gauge (optional)
If your air pump does not have an air pressure gauge, you may want to get a separate air pressure gauge to check the pressure in your ball. Air pressure gauges can be found online or in stores, but as we mentioned above they are optional and not necessary to inflate your basketball.
Don’t have a needle? Also read this article: how to pump a basketball without needle
Steps to Inflate Your Basketball
Step 1: Attach the inflation needle to the air pump.
How to attach the needle will depend on the type of air pump you are using. Most hand pumps made for a basketball will be threaded and you can screw needle onto the pump. If you are using a bicycle pump, it will probably have a connector with a latch (see below). You must put the needle into the connector and tighten the latch to hold the needle in place.
Attach the needle to the pump.Attach the needle to the pump.
Electric air pumps may have the same type of latch, but a big industrial compressor may need some type of adapter and I wouldn’t recommend using an industrial compressor unless you really know what you are doing.
Step 2: Moisten the inflation needle.
Get a wet paper towel and wipe the needle to moisten it. If you don’t have a wet paper towel, you can run it underwater or even spit on it. The moisture allows the needle to slide into the valve easier and prevents damage to the valve. If the valve is damaged it can cause your basketball to leak air.
Step 3: Insert the needle into the valve.
Once the needle has been moistened, slowly insert it into the valve of the basketball until the needle is all the way in the valve.
Insert the needle into the valve of the basketball.
Step 4: Begin inflating.
If you are using a hand pump or a bicycle pump you will need to manually pump the air in. If you are using an electric pump or a compressor you can turn it on. WARNING! When using an electric pump or a compressor, monitor the inflation at all times. The ball will fill very quickly and if overfilled it can pop and destroy the ball.
Step 5: Check the air pressure.
Monitor the air pressure as you are inflating. Use one hand on the ball as you are inflating it to feel the pressure rise. If your pump has an air pressure gauge, check it regularly. If it does not use a separate gauge or check it using the bounce method described above.
Once the air pressure seems good, get out there on the court and start having fun!
Additional Resources
There are many types of air pumps on the market. Take a look at some of the following if you are interested.
Basic Hand Pump with needles and gauge
Bicycle Pump
Electric Pump
If you would like to see how to inflate a basketball using an air compressor, check out this video.
Final Words
Eventually, all basketballs will need to be inflated because they will lose air over time. Fortunately, the process is fairly simple as we have shown above and the equipment needed is relatively cheap. So, if you want to have an enjoyable game of basketball, make sure your basketball is always properly inflated, then get out there and have some fun!
Have you ever tried to play basketball with an under-inflated or over-inflated basketball? We’d love to hear from you, so please leave your comments.
How to Pump a Basketball Without a Needle (3 Methods)
By Luke Updated
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 isn’t 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. It’s 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.
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 isn’t 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. It’s not great for those who are out at a public court, as you likely don’t 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, don’t 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 don’t have a pump, needle or anything like that at home. If you don’t 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 couldn’t 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 don’t 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 don’t 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 wasn’t mentioned here? If so, let us know in the comments below.
We can't imagine basketball without the basketball backboard. Basketball backboard is installed at both ends of the court, basketball baskets are attached to the backboards. The front surface of the basketball backboard is flat, a marking line is drawn along the contour, and a rectangle is drawn at the location of the ring, the size of which is 45 cm vertically and 59 cm horizontally . The size of the standard basketball backboard is 1.8 x 1.05 meters, and the installation height is 2.9meters. NBA standard size basketball backboard in 72 x 42 inches.
What are basketball backboards made of?
The material from which basketball backboards are made must be impact resistant. Most often, tempered glass, acrylic or wood are used for their production. Basketball backboards that are not intended for stationary installation are equipped with the same fasteners as punching bags. This method of fastening allows you to withstand the huge weight of the backboard and the player, and make an aggressive basketball game as safe as possible.
Small basketball backboards
If there is no room to mount a standard size basketball backboard, a smaller one is perfect for you. It can be used indoors, office or children's room. Usually small basketball hoop comes with everything you need: size 1 ball, pump and other necessary props.
Basketball backboard with basket
You can also buy basketball backboard with basket. Basketball basket is usually made of metal and has a net without a bottom. The basket is mounted at a height of 3.05 m from the court 15 cm from the edge of the basketball board . The basketball hoop comes in a bright color, most commonly orange. It is impossible to allow the load to be transferred from the basketball hoop to the backboard , so the installation of the basket on the backboard must be done with special care strictly according to the instructions.
Children's backboard
What are the dimensions of the children's backboard? Usually a children's basketball backboard is a rectangle with edges 120 cm by 90 cm. the installation location of the basket is exactly the same as the location on the board for adults .
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;
outdoor;
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
Basketball diameter
Basketball weight
Area of use
№7
749-780 mm.
567-650
Men's team competitions
№6
724-737 mm.
510-567
Size 6 balls used in women's basketball
№5
690-710 mm.
470-500
size 5 for mini basketball
№3
560-580 mm.
300-330
size 3 specially designed for kids
The category depends on how much the ball weighs and what its circumference is. The size of the basketball directly affects the dynamics of the game and the accuracy of the shots.
Children's basketball
Children's basketballs - size 3. The peculiarity of the category is the reduced diameter (on average 570 mm) and low weight (approximately 315 g). The size of a children's basketball is designed so that the hand of a young athlete or athlete clasps it. The minimized weight allows children to throw the “round” into the basket from various distances, even from outside the 3-second zone.
External parameters: always orange?
How much a basketball weighs depends on the specifics of the sport. However, why do the balls have the traditional color? Until the middle of the 20th century, brown models were used, but they merged with the parquet, which created additional inconvenience. In the 50s of the last century, it was decided to play only orange balls. Today this norm has a conditional character. Leading manufacturers are experimenting with shades: purple, blue, black, etc.
Brands of basketballs
And finally, we have prepared for you a convenient table that will help you determine not only the parameters, but also the specific manufacturer. To make it convenient, we combined all the data into a table.
Brand comparison chart
Brand
Country
Benefits
Defects
Market
Molten (Molten)
Japan
Uses patented "X-Technology", improved control.
Reflective lettering is fading.
Professional
Spalding
US
High quality material, stylish design.
High cost.
Consumer and Professional
Wilson (Fiba)
In-air closing system, high load capacity.
Some models require frequent paging.
Nike
Deep channels, wear resistance, strong chamber, do not lose shape.
Material stiffness (for children's hands).
Torres
Russia
Abrasion resistant, can be used on asphalt.
Poor quality of channel staining.
Consumer
NBA
US
New item Spalding. Design, coating, wear resistant.
High cost.
Professional
Jordan
Wear-resistant coating, durable inner layer keeps its shape for a long time.
Deep grooves for improved grip and shooting accuracy.
Consumer
Jogel
Germany
Deep Channel technology, 30-panel construction.
Select models not for open areas.
Consumer and Professional
Adidas
Germany
Raw material quality, butyl chamber.
High cost.
Mikasa
Japan
Durable, wear resistant, tire provides a secure grip.
Not to worry, there is a simple method that you can use to check the inflation of your ball. It won’t give you the PSI (or kPa), but it will be good enough to get you back out on the court.
While these methods may or may not work, it is always best to use the proper equipment because you can ensure that you are inflating the basketball to the correct pressure. Using the proper equipment will also help prevent you from damaging your basketball.
You can also use an air compressor but that can be a little more complicated depending on the type of compressor and the connectors available.
If you are using an electric pump or a compressor you can turn it on. WARNING! When using an electric pump or a compressor, monitor the inflation at all times. The ball will fill very quickly and if overfilled it can pop and destroy the ball.
While it would be great if everyone had a needle and basketball pump at all times, that isn’t always the case.
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.
It’s not great for those who are out at a public court, as you likely don’t have balloons with you.
If you don’t 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 couldn’t hurt to call ahead.
When trying any of the aforementioned, be sure to do it safely to protect yourself and your basketball.
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The size of the standard basketball backboard is 1.8 x 1.05 meters, and the installation height is 2.9meters. NBA standard size basketball backboard in 72 x 42 inches. 
Usually small basketball hoop comes with everything you need: size 1 ball, pump and other necessary props. 
In the 50s of the last century, it was decided to play only orange balls. Today this norm has a conditional character. Leading manufacturers are experimenting with shades: purple, blue, black, etc. 
