Basketball, one of the most common sports in the world. He enjoys great popularity, both in girls and in boys. Every year, the ranks of basketball players are constantly replenished with new talents.
For basketball lessons, you will definitely need a basketball. Before buying it, you need to take into account some of the nuances that greatly affect the life of the product you like. In this article we will tell you how to choose the right basketball.
Which basketball to choose depending on the playing surface of the
So, the first thing you need to decide on which playing surface will be used basketball.
For playing on asphalt, you need to choose a product marked OUTDOOR.As a rule, these balls are made of rubber, which is sufficiently durable against contact with asphalt.
More rubber products, have good grip with asphalt coating, which will affect the best control of the ball, during the game.
Leather products marked INDOOR, designed to play in the basketball hall, on wooden or rubber surfaces. If you play with such a ball, on the asphalt surface, then it will quickly become unusable.
It will be great if you select that leather ball marked INDOOR, which will have a special microfibre coating. Such a product is easier to grasp with hands, in addition, microfiber still perfectly muffles the impact of the ball.
Products that are labeled as INDOOR / OUTDOOR are universal. This means that you can play this basketball on wooden or rubber surfaces, as well as on asphalt. Basically such products are made of synthetic materials.
What are the sizes of basketballs
Choosing a basketball, it is important to choose the right size. In order to make it easier for you to decide, see the table below, which describes the size of a basketball, used by different age groups of basketball players.
| Ball size: | Circumference length: | Weight: | By: |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 560-580 mm. | 300-330 grams | Professionals, for training dribbling Children's teams |
| 5 | 690-710 mm. | 470-500 grams | Junior teams( children under 12 years old) |
| 6 | 724-737 mm. | 510-567 grams | Women's Basketball League Boys under 16 years old |
| 7 | 749-780 mm. | 567-650 grams | Male adult teams |
What material are produced
In many respects the quality of a basketball depends on which material it is made from. The most common materials used in the production of basketballs are:
- Rubber
- Synthetic leather
- Composite leather
- Genuine leather
Rubber products are best suited for playing outdoors. Rubber basketballs can please only the lowest prices. As for the quality, then such a ball will quickly become worthless in a short time. Where will be more qualitative products made of synthetic leather, however, and much more expensive. A basketball ball made of synthetic leather serves for a long time and is suitable for playing both on the street and in the hall.
Even more qualitative are considered to be balls made of composite leather. They are soft to the touch and are designed to play only on a wooden or rubber coating. This basketball attribute, slightly inferior in quality to products made from genuine leather.
The most solid products are made of genuine leather. Such basketballs are used absolutely in all professional competitions. Suitable for playing only in sports halls. If you see products marked Indoor use only or supreme leather, then you should know that before you is a basketball, which used high quality leather.
How to check the quality of the product
Having figured out which basketball to choose, depending on its size, purpose, material of manufacture - it's time to think about the quality of the product. Before buying the ball, ask the seller that he would pump it properly. Then raise the ball, so that it would be at the same level with your head.
Next, let go of the ball, that he would fly down. If after the rebound it rises to the level of your belt, it means that you have a quality product.
If the ball bounces not in the vertical direction, but somewhere to the side, then it's a curve. From such a purchase it is better to refuse otherwise the game will not give you any pleasure, but only continuous agony. Make sure that the basketball you like does not bleed. To do this, it is necessary to put a little saliva on the nipple of the product. If bubbles appear in this place, then you have a defective sports attribute in front of you.
Also carefully consider the seams of the basketball. There should not be any holes or gaps between the seam itself and the surface of the product.