How To Choose a Basketball
Basketballs differ mainly in size, where each is intended for a different type of player - woman, man or child. They are also distinguished by colour, material and surface treatment for outdoor use. We will advise you on how to choose the right ball for your needs.
Frequently asked questions when choosing a basketball
What size of basketball to choose?
Basketball balls come in sizes 1, 3, 5, 6 and 7. Size 1 is a small ball for children to play basketball with in mini baskets. Size 3 is intended for children in recreational use. Size 5 is a ball for juniors. Size 6 is used for women's play and size 7 is the official dimension for men's play. Size 7 is used by all official FIBA (International Basketball Federation) men's competitions).
What type of ball material is best for me?
Synthetic leather, rubber and genuine leather are all used for the production of basketballs. Rubber balls are recommended for beginners and schools. They have desirable properties and are cheap so if they wear out too quickly it won’t cost too much to replace them. More advanced and less demanding players are likely to reach for an artificial leather ball that is more durable and pleasant to the touch than rubber. Genuine leather balls are then designed for players playing at the highest level/ professionals. Leather balls are not used on outdoor surfaces because they wear out faster.
Is it worth buying a branded basketball?
The highest quality basketballs come from the manufacturers Molten and Spalding, who are FIBA approved. A number of basketball competitions, including the NBA use Molten and Spalding basketballs. However Gala balls are good too. When choosing a branded ball, you usually pay extra, but you are assured of quality and long durability.
Important parameters
Material
The type of material affects the grip and durability of the ball. Your choice of material should be based on where and how often you play.
Indoor vs. outdoor use
Basketballs are designed to be used either indoors or outdoors. If you want to play mostly on an outdoor court, choose a ball made of rubber or synthetic leather, which has a special surface treatment. Genuine leather is not suitable for outdoor play, as it is expensive and not worth having to replace often because of it wearing out unnecessarily quickly.
Design
In official competitions, a uniform design according to the FIBA standard is used. For private and recreational use, however, you can choose from a wide range of colors and designs.
Maintenance
Regular maintenance will extend the life of the ball. Do not expose it to direct sunlight or high temperatures, such as a hot car. Rinse the ball with lukewarm water, or use ordinary soap, and let it air dry. However, do not use aggressive cleaning products such as detergents or solvents. Store the ball in a clean and dry place.
Glossary - basketballs
Rubber
Rubber is a material used to make cheaper basketballs. Rubber balls are very durable. Rubber balls are suitable for beginners, for teaching in schools and playing outdoors.
Synthetic leather
Synthetic leather is the most commonly used material for making basketballs. It has gained popularity for its reasonable price and performance. Artificial leather balls have different treatments for outdoor and indoor use.
FIBA approval
Balls meeting the FIBA standards, i. e the International Basketball Federation. They meet the following technical parameters:
- they are size 7 and their circumference is 749-780 mm
- they bear the name of the manufacturer and the serial number
- they are made of genuine or synthetic leather
- they do not contain any toxic substances or substances causing allergic reactions
- they do not contain heavy metals
- they have a rebound of at least 1 300 mm when falling from a height of 1 800 mm onto a hard surface
- in an environment with a temperature of 70 °C they do not show any changes in appearance and other properties for 7 days
- the ball manufacturer must be FIBA certified
Ball size
Size is a crucial parameter when choosing a basketball.