Basketball is almost the most popular game in our country, but for this activity to be of high quality, skills alone are not enough; the right equipment is also important, first of all, of course, the ball. What should you know about them?
Types of balls. Basketballs come in two types – those for outdoor play (usually labeled outdoor ) and those for indoor play (the latter are labeled indoor ). Why is this so important? Indoor balls are not suitable for outdoor play because they are made of softer fabrics and their surface is usually covered with natural leather, which quickly wears out when in contact with the floor.
Ball quality. When looking for a truly high-quality product, you should choose balls from a well-known or proven manufacturer, but in any case, you should know something about their quality. First of all, the surface of the basketball. It must be completely smooth, without any dents or protrusions, otherwise the ball will not fly straight and will change direction after bouncing off the surface (the easiest way to check if it is smooth is to simply tap it on the floor a few times. A smooth ball should bounce straight without changing direction). You can also try throwing the ball straight or against a wall. If it bounces off it in the completely opposite direction, the basketball is definitely not smooth.
Bounce of the ball. The direction in which the basketball bounces is very important, but its bounce in general has no less influence on the quality of the game. This should be checked after the ball is properly inflated (this service is usually provided immediately when buying a basketball at a sporting goods store). When the ball is raised above the head (holding it in front of you) and released, the ball should bounce to the thrower's waist.
Ball seams. Basketballs are sewn from separate pieces of material, with visible seams at the joints. What should you know about them? They should be straight and without any gaps. Crooked seams are the first indicator of a poor-quality basketball, which affects not only its durability, but also the accuracy of shots and other criteria. The gaps between them are cavities through which air can potentially penetrate.