Despite the fact that basketball does not enjoy such popular love as football, its popularity in our country is enormous. However, in order to experience all the delights of the correct game, you need a suitable and complete equipment, and, first of all, a basketball. In order to choose the ball correctly, it is necessary to pay attention to a set of criteria that are extremely important for experienced basketball players.
Which basketball to choose. Deciding on the playing surface.
Before giving preference to a particular model of a basketball, it is necessary to decide on the nature of the court on which the game will be played, and, in particular, on the type of coverage:
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If the game is to be played outdoors, on asphalt or concrete surfaces, balls marked 'Outdoor' should be preferred. Such balls are based on polyurethane or rubber, and their surface is coated with a special compound that protects the ball from damage and wear when in constant contact with a hard surface;
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In the case when an indoor area will act as a 'battlefield', and polyurethane, rubber or other surfaces of a similar nature will be observed as a covering, balls marked 'Indoor' should be preferred. Such models are almost always made of genuine leather, and their surface is additionally covered with microfiber, which improves grip with hands while playing.
It should be remembered that these materials are quite fragile, and even a short play on hard asphalt can render the leather ball unusable.
Basketball sizes
The classification of basketballs is carried out in the form of numbers, each of which has its own weight and size characteristics:
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Balls of the third number can reach 580 millimeters in circumference, and their weight does not exceed 300-330 grams. These balls are intended for dribbling, as well as for children and junior teams;
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Balls of class 5-6 are larger. Their circumference can reach 710 mm, and their weight is limited to 560-570 grams. Such balls are used in the women's basketball league, and are also popular among juniors up to 15-16 years old;
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Adult men's teams almost always use 7th grade balls for basketball. The dimensions of such balls can reach 780 millimeters, and their weight reaches 700 grams;
Differences in materials used
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Rubber is widely used for making outdoor balls in the budget price segment. Such balls are suitable for playing on the street, and it is hardly possible to call them high-quality: with active play, such balls quickly become unusable. Of the pluses, the low price should be noted – such balls are available even to buyers with limited financial resources;
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Balls made of synthetic or composite leather are almost always the basic models of the Indoor segment. They are designed for indoor use and on sites with a special type of surface. Soft, pleasant to the touch and strong enough – these and many other positive aspects contribute to their popularity. Among the shortcomings, it should be noted that it is not suitable for playing on the street;
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Leather balls are considered to be of the highest quality, and therefore expensive models. Genuine leather is a wear-resistant, durable, pleasant-to-touch material that provides excellent performance. Not without a fly in the ointment – the Indoor use only inscription on all leather balls indicates that use is allowed only when playing indoors.
How to check the quality of the ball
Checking the quality of a basketball is easy enough.
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The ball is inflated to the required pressure before purchasing.
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After that, the ball rises to chest level and is released into free fall;
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If the ball is of high quality, then its springy characteristics will allow it to bounce at least to a height of 70-80 centimeters;
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A strictly vertical bounce indicates the high quality of the ball and its uniform structure. If the ball bounces in different directions each time, then it is uneven, which means that you should refuse to buy it;
An integral part of assessing the quality of a basketball is its visual inspection. Holes, loose seams, cracks and creases, as well as other 'artifacts' indicate poor quality of the ball or improper storage. In any case, you should refuse to buy such a ball.
In the following articles, our experts will tell you how to choose a soccer ball and the secrets of choosing soccer shoes.
Basketball Selection Videos
Attention! This material is the subjective opinion of the authors of the project and is not a purchase guide.
