Volleyball (ball) facts for kids
A volleyball is a ball used to play indoor volleyball, beach volleyball, or other less common variations of the sport. Volleyballs are round and traditionally consist of eighteen nearly rectangular panels of synthetic or genuine leather, arranged in six identical sections of three panels each, wrapped around a bladder. A valve permits the internal air pressure to be adjusted. In a break from the traditional construction, in 2008, the FIVB adopted as its official indoor ball a new Mikasa with dimples and only eight panels for a softer touch and truer flight.
Volleyball characteristics
Indoor volleyballs are designed for the indoor version of the sport, and beach volleyballs for the beach game.
Indoor volleyballs may be solid white or the brightest color of yellow. They are made in two versions: the youth version is slightly smaller and weighs much less than an adult volleyball, and a heavier medicine ball type that allows setters to strengthen their fingers.
Beach volleyballs are slightly larger than standard indoor balls, have a rougher external texture, and a lower internal pressure. They can be brightly colored or solid white. The very first volleyballs were made from leather paneling over a rubber carcass.
| 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) | 260-280 (9.2-9.9) | 0.3 (4.3) |
| Beach | 66-68 (26-27) | 260-280 (9.2-9.9) | 0.175-0.225 (2.5-3.2) |
Major brands
There are several brands of competitive volleyballs in use, including, but not limited to:
- Tachikara
- Molten
- Allsix
- Copaya
- Wilson
- Mikasa
- Mizuno
- Nike
- Spalding
- Beta
Most of these brands also make cheaper variations for recreational (non-competitive) use.
Adopted use
- Mikasa makes the official balls of the Fédération Internationale de Volleyball and the CEV - European Volleyball Confederation (beach and indoor).
- Molten makes the official ball of USA Volleyball.
- Molten makes the official ball of NCAA Volleyball (indoor).
- Wilson makes the official ball of the Association of Volleyball Professionals (beach).
