A good basketball makes the performance higher. Many famous coaches believe that. Well, there is a variety of options for basketball. We just can’t determine the best one just by the names. However, there are different indoor and outdoor basketballs out there. But some core elements are a must for any basketball. For this reason, we’ve tested top basketballs on different stages. Our evaluation was based on factors like weight, color, materials, usability, and much more. Once we made sure the basketballs has passed all the criteria then we made our final decision.
Let’s jump into the article to know more about why Do You Need Good Basketball.
Table of Contents
Why Do You Need A Good Basketball
Weight
The weight of the basketball matters. Because, air pressure, bounce rate, and control are crucial factors for a standard basketball. They determine the player’s performance. And it all depends on proper weight.
Generally, basketball comes in different weights. However, professional basketballs are average in weight. For NBA basketball is 1.4 pounds.
Obviously, junior, female, league, etc basketballs are different in weight. But we’re talking about the standard one. So, in grams usually, it ranges between 397g to 623g.
The Ball Material
In terms of the NBA and other smaller leagues, there are official materials chosen by the league’s head coaches. This is why you will have to know the different types if you want to play in a competitive environment. Other than that, all these different materials affect the way the ball behaves, the height of its rebound, and even its weight. So it’s good to know those things even if you take basketball more as a hobby.
These three types of materials are
- Leather
- Composite (synthetic material)
- Plain rubber
Leather
Leather balls are used in professional games. They are normally more expensive than other ones. They are soft to the touch. Because of leather, the basketballs are flexible. The greatest advantage here is that you have an immense amount of control of the ball. Even when you have sweaty hands you will be able to easily maintain a great level of grip.
Another advantage of leather balls is that they are gentle on any type of playing surface. Gyms that have wooden floors always opt for leather balls. Because they are great for this type of surface. They don’t cause any damage to the floor.
A disadvantage of this type is that you cannot (or should not) use it outside. Harder surfaces like concrete or asphalt will ruin the leather and decrease its life expectancy a lot. Also, if you want to use a ball in a competition, leather models usually require a so-called break-in period before their first pro game. If you search for different break-in methods you will get a ton of results in google, some faster than others but be careful not to damage your ball.
Composite
The next material is called composite or synthetic. It is the middle ground for basketballs. These balls do not require break-ins. They are great for both indoors and outdoors. Clearly, they won’t have the level of grip a true NBA leather ball has but they are far more durable and will last longer. The only downside is it will scuff up the wooden floor at the court a bit.
Rubber
Lastly, the rubber basketballs. They are often called outdoor basketballs. Mostly, suitable for the outer environment. They are extra bouncy and more durable than the other two kinds we mentioned above. If you are a learner this is a great option since it will last you forever and will develop your dribble.
The material also affects the sound your ball produces. Leather balls create a nice soft sound while rubber ones have a high-pitched bounce sound that can be annoying if you aren’t used to it.
The Size Of The Ball
Juniors
Younger players will need smaller balls to learn how to dribble. Luckily, there is a basketball for everyone as they come in different variations. Mini-basketballs start at seven inches in diameter. It is ideal for kids who are just now entering the world of basketball. If you want to improve your aim or skills these balls are also a good option. They won’t have as high of a bounce as the bigger ones. Comparatively, they are easier to hold and throw.
Adults
For real basketball players, there are three ball sizes and types. The men’s league uses balls with size 7 which is 29 and a half inches in circumference. Youth and female leagues use a size 6 which is an inch less.
Children under the age of 10 should better stick to size 5 balls which have a circumference of 27 and a half inches.
The Color
Everybody knows the typical basketball orange color but there are also blue, black, and even yellow balls (as well as ones that have all the colors of the rainbow). Of course, the official ball color is orange and all other colors are catering mostly to the style of street players rather than official rules. Because the orange color holds the focus while you play. That’s why it is important to pick basketball of this color only.
Do You Want To Get Better?
If you want to improve your dribbling, throwing, and every other aspect of your game, you should consider getting a training ball. However, your training ball session will get another plus with the best hoops for both indoor and outdoor.
Well, this basketball is made of rubber. It weighs a lot more than a normal rubber ball. It is primarily meant to improve your handling skills.
To shoot more accurately there are shooter basketballs. These basketballs have signs on them. It’ll inform you for where to put your hands when throwing. We found that those greatly improve accuracy over time. But try not to get used to them. Because you would feel confused when handling a real ball.
The newest invention has digital features. They are digitally enhanced to track all your stats. Like shooting percentages and other game stats. Many of these balls have apps that allow you to share results with friends or coaches. Also even compete in improvised online games.
The ball itself is Bluetooth-enabled and connects to your smartphone. While it might seem like a gimmick, some professional players use them to see where the holes in their game are.
Conclusion
So, do you need a good basketball? Well, if you want to learn, progress, and further develop your ball-handling skills, then – yes, you definitely do. If you are just going to play from time to time with your friends you would most likely not notice a significant difference in the game when using different types of balls each time.
You should know what type of ball matches your preference. It’ll help you to get the best one for you. What you want to get comes from knowing what type of game you will play. Most importantly – where will you play?
If you want to play with friends on an outside concrete court, then get a synthetic or rubber ball. If you go to a gym with a wooden floor. And if you play in a more competitive manner (or even a league), get a leather ball. You can also check official brands to get the top-rated basketballs.
