Volleyball (ball)

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A Mikasa volleyball, the official ball of FIVB beach events
A Mikasa volleyball, the official ball of FIVB beach events

The sport volleyball is played with a ball called a volleyball.


Official Characteristics

There are three types of volleyballs:

  1. Standard indoor volleyball
  2. Youth indoor volleyball
  3. Beach volleyball

All volleyballs are round and consist of eighteen panels of leather (synthetic or genuine) wrapped around a bladder. Each section consists of three panels or rows. A standard (adult, indoor) volleyball may be solid white or a combination of three different easily distinguishable colors. A youth indoor volleyball is slightly smaller than a standard volleyball to accommodate children's use. Contrary to popular belief, indoor balls and beach volleyballs weigh the same. Balls used in beach volleyball are slightly softer (lower internal pressure) and a bit larger than indoor volleyballs, and are brightly colored.

Volleyball characteristics
Circumference
cm (inches)
Mass
grams (ounces)
Internal pressure
kgf/cm² (psi)
Standard indoor 65-67 (25.5-26.5) 260-280 (9.2-9.9) 0.3-0.325 (4.3-4.6)
Youth indoor 63-65 (25-26) 240-260 (8.5-9.2) 0.3 (4.3)
Beach 66-68 (26-27) 260-280 (9.2-9.9) 0.175-0.225 (2.5-3.2)

[edit] Brands

[edit] Major brands

There are several brands of competitive volleyballs in use, including, but not limited to:

Most of these brands also make cheaper variations for recreational (non-competitive) use.

[edit] Adopted use

  • Mikasa makes the official balls of FIVB (beach and indoor).
  • Molten makes the official ball of USA Volleyball (indoor).
  • Wilson makes the official ball of the AVP (beach).