Water polo ball facts for kids
A water polo ball is a special ball used in the exciting sports of water polo and canoe polo. These balls are usually bright yellow and are designed to be easy to hold with one hand, even though they are quite big. This special grip helps players control the ball in the water.
What Makes a Water Polo Ball Special?
Water polo balls have specific features that make them perfect for the game.
Ball Size and Weight for Players
The weight of a water polo ball is usually between 400 and 450 grams. This is about the same as a small can of soup! The ball is filled with air to a certain pressure. For men's games, the pressure is 90-97 kilopascals (kPa), which is 13-14 psi. For women's games, it's a bit less, 83-90 kPa (12-13 psi).
Water polo balls come in two main sizes:
- Size 5: This ball is for men's games. It measures 68-71 cm around.
- Size 4: This ball is for women's games. It measures 65-67 cm around.
Sometimes, smaller balls are used for younger players in "mini-polo." These mini-balls don't have standard sizes and are often green.
Colorful Changes to Water Polo Balls
In 2005, a big change happened for water polo balls used in official games. FINA, the group that sets rules for water sports, allowed balls to have a colored stripe in the middle. This stripe could be blue, green, red, black, or yellow, with the usual yellow stripes on either side.
In 2006, sports groups like the NCAA and the National Federation of State High School Associations also allowed these new colored balls. Before this, balls had to be "yellow with black lines."
The company that makes these new colored balls, Mikasa Sports, says they help teams in a few ways:
- It's easier for teams to keep track of their own balls.
- It helps tell the difference between men's and women's balls.
- It can even help players learn how to spin the ball correctly.
Sometimes, special games or tournaments use balls with unique designs and color mixes to celebrate the event!
