It is no secret that a volleyball's quality, design, weight, and construction can change according to the game's needs. But what if you need to find the best volleyball for every type of court and condition? Doing that can be tricky, even for the seasoned player, parent, or coach. You should learn which volleyball will suit you the best, according to your age, skill level, and the court and conditions in which you will be playing.
Age is one of the most essential factors when choosing a volleyball because young players must take precautions against possible injuries due to a wrong volleyball. This is especially true when the players are in their teens or below because their muscles are not fully developed and strong enough for harsh gameplay.
Players also have to be cautious about the type of ball they use for different kinds of courts. Let’s learn about the best volleyball for different courts, ages, and skill levels, but before that, let’s learn about the evolution of volleyball designs.
Evolution of Volleyball Design
With a history of over 100 years, the game has seen many changes. There have been significant improvements, whether it’s the style of play or the court they play in. The same goes for the design of the volleyball since its invention in 1895. Although the first inspiration for the ball was taken from basketball, the inventor William G. Morgan knew he needed something better. Therefore, in 1900, a smaller and lighter ball was designed especially for the game, made with a bladder, a cloth layer, and a leather layer, which made it sturdy yet lightweight. Later on, with time, different synthetic materials were used for making volleyballs. Now that we have learned about the design of volleyballs, let’s move on to the next big question: Which are the best volleyballs for different courts, ages, and skill levels?
Volleyballs for Different Court Types and Play
There are lots of things to consider when playing volleyball, whether it’s the shoes, precautions against injuries, or the type of equipment, you will be using. However, not everyone is informed about the type of volleyball that they should select for different types of play. Let’s learn about the different types of volleyballs that suit you according to your age or game conditions.
Courts
Indoor Courts: Indoor courts are artificially made with different materials, such as wood, tiles, mats, synthetic flooring, etc. Due to this, the friction between the ball and the floor is less, and there is almost no air influence over the ball.
To play in those conditions, you need a ball made by molding and not stitching, in which you can see the panels are glued to the inner lining, which gives the seams a smoother appearance and outer surface. The smoothness makes the ball more consistent and gives it a better trajectory. A few volleyballs that fit this criteria great are:
- Molten Flistatec USAV V5M500-3USA
- Mikasa V200W FIVB Indoor Ball
- Molten Super Touch IV58L-N Volleyball.
Any Outdoor Court: The main factor that differentiates outdoor play from indoor is the influence of weather over the game. During an outdoor court game, the ball goes through a lot; whether it’s the sun, wind, or rain, it has to be durable enough for all conditions.
To lessen the damage to the ball, outdoor volleyballs are sewn instead of molded, which optimizes grip and durability. Another difference between the balls is that the outdoor volleyballs are made with composite materials that ensure the longevity of the ball. If you want a volleyball that gives optimum output during outdoor games, the volleyballs that you can never go wrong with are:
Beach Volleyball: The volleyballs used for beach play must stand up to perhaps the roughest conditions: sand and high humidity, which can damage indoor balls quickly. Along with the outdoor balls mentioned above, we also recommend the following volleyballs that have proven durability in all the elements:
Practice: The biggest determining factor between practice volleyballs and game balls is the material. For most tournament and high school play leather or premium composite materials are required which will be more expensive. For practice, a standard composite works great. If you need a more budget-friendly volleyball without sacrificing quality, we recommend the:
Volleyballs Suitable For Youth
When young players first start the game, they need a lightweight volleyball that will allow them to practice more efficiently and reduce the physical strain on their bodies. It’s for this reason, nearly all tournaments and organized play require a lighter volleyball for players 12 years and under. The two top sellers, and our recommendations, are:
If you have a “tots” program or a player ages 10 or under we recommend the Molten First Touch Volleyball - V140.This youth volleyball is even softer and lighter for the littlest ones.
Conclusion
The right volleyball will optimize your practice, play, and investment so we hope this short article helps your search. Feel free to contact us with any questions!