24 September 2022
Here are some of the most frequently asked questions people have about volleyball balls in general:
Table of Contents
What do you call the ball in volleyball?
-A spherical ball that usually composes of eighteen rectangular-like panels of real or synthetic leather, divided symmetrically into three segments of six panels each cloaking a bladder, is called a volleyball. A special valve is included to regulate its air pressure.
Specially created for indoor volleyball, beach volleyball, and other alternative forms of this sport. Many improvements to their designs are made over the years by top manufacturing sports companies to ensure high performance and adaptation to every change in this fascinating sport.
What are the two types of volleyball balls?
-There are two styles of volleyball balls with different characteristics, an indoor and an outdoor one. Indoor balls are divided into youth and adult ones. With a circumference of 63 to 67 centimeters, 260-280 grams of weight, and around 4.3 psi of internal pressure, they are specially developed for indoor games. A notable fact is that youth indoor balls are a bit smaller than adult ones.
Outdoor balls are mostly made for beach volley, thus their design has to take environmental conditions into consideration. So, even though they have the same weight as indoor ones, they have a slightly bigger circumference of 66 to 68 cm and a higher psi of 4.3-4.6 to adjust perfectly to every occasion.
Is a volleyball hard or soft?
-It depends, mainly on its structure. An indoor volleyball ball is harder than an outdoor ball, due to their designs’ differences. Indoor volleyball is more of a power sport and as a result, its balls consist of leather stripes and are heavier. So, the harder the hit, the quicker it travels.
Outdoor volleyball balls are hand-stitched and designed to be slightly bigger and softer. allowing players to cover distances and perform impressive saving dives. Its internal air pressure is also a key factor and has to be checked out on a regular basis.
Does the color of a volleyball matter?
-Yes, multi-colored manufactured volleyball balls can offer some game-changing advantages. Different stripes’ colors make it easier to understand the ball’s rotation and adapt your touch to defend, and much easier to spot on the court from both players and spectators.
Judges’ and linesmen’s work is made much easier too. As a result, the International Volley Federation (FIVB) has replaced the classic white ball with three different ball styles: green-red-white, blue-yellow-white, and red-blue-white.
Do volleyballs need to be broken in?
-It’s not needed but it is optimal for a volleyball ball to be broken in. New leather balls are usually stiff, tight-fisted, and painful for hands to use at the beginning. Unfortunately, the only recommended way to break in and soften a ball is simply to use it over time. Any different method may critically damage the ball’s structure and result in its replacement.
How hard should a volleyball feel?
-In general, a volleyball has to be hard enough to offer a firm touch and a nice bounce to make it easier to travel through the air at a preferred speed, but not that hard to be painful and tough to control.
Maintaining their internal pressure from 4,26 to 4,61 psi is of critical importance and can be easily done using a portable pump and a pressure gauge simultaneously, to create a perfect-touch volleyball.
Will kicking a volleyball damage it?
-Even though the official regulations of volley allow kicking and counts as a regular hit as long as the ball does not rest there, a volleyball ball is not made like a football one. It is specially designed to withstand full-speed contact with arms and floor but intentional strong kicks can severely damage the ball, and create unnecessary expenses.
How do you pump a volleyball without a needle?
-When there is a deflated volleyball ball and no needle available, improvisations can always be in hand. A can of compressed air is one rather obvious and easy way to inflate your ball real quick.
Even a balloon’s or your car’s tires’ air can do the trick if combined with a made-up needle from a used pen’s ink tube and a lubricated paper clip to enlarge the ball’s air hole. Your volleyball can look like a brand new one in no time.
