Do You Want to Know Some Facts About Basketball?
- The first ever game of basketball history was played with a soccer ball instead of a proper basketball. That game was played on December 1891 in YMCA Traning School, Springfield, Massachusetts.
- Till 1893, soccer balls were commonly used in basketball games.
- In 1894, the soccer ball was replaced by the first genuine basketball, made from rubber bladder with leather covering and visible stiching on it. Those balls were hand stitched, as a result, varied in size and structure.
- In 1942 first molded factory made basketballs were introduced, that brought uniformity in the size and shape of basketball.
- Now a basketball contains a butyl rubber bladder inside, with outer surface covered with carcass and wrapped with the layers of polyester or nylon threads.
- Basketball vary in size, weight, circumference, bounce, material and color, depending on the requirements of different leagues.
- The shape of basketball is spherical.
- There is no specific color for the basketball, they are available in various colors, but the popular color is orange with black strips around it.
- It is compulsory for all manufacturers to affix their distinct stamp on every ball, containing name of company, logo and serial number.
- Basketball is made of various kinds of materials, leather(natural/synthetic)rubber, composite materials but free of toxic materials, allergic reactions and AZO colors.
Basketball Size
- Size 7 for men(above 15,high school,university and professional level.
- Size 6 for women(above 12,high school,university and professional level) and for boys(12-14)
- Size 5 is for both boys and girls at junior level(8-12).
- Size 3 is for small children(under 8).
Basketball Weight
- 20 to 22.9 ounces for FIBA competitions
- 20 to 22 ounces for NCAA(men)
- 22 ounces for NBA(men)
- 18 to 20 ounces for both WNBA and WNCAA.
- 16.6-18 ounces at junior level(8-12).
- 10-11 ounces for small children(under 8).
Measurement in Circumference
- 29.5-30.7 circumference in inches for FIBA.
- 29.5-30 inches in NCAA.
- 29.5 in NBA
- 29-30 circumference in inches at high school level.
- 28.9-29 for women.
- 27.25-27.75 at junior level.
- 22-22.5 for small children(under 8).
- Spalding was the first basketball manufacture company, introduced first basketball in 1894.Currently,it is a top company in basketball making and also a sole supplier of balls to NBA since 1983.
Tests of Ball
Each ball has to undergo and clear a series of precise technical tests before leaving a factory. Only survived ones get approval.Following some tests are carried out in a basketball factory.
Fatigue Test:
In fatigue test, ball is bounced about 20,0000 times at the height of 1800mm.
Heat Storage Test:
In heat storage test, the ball is stored in a room for 7 days at the temperature of 70 degree celsius.
Valve/leak Test:
In leak test, a dry needle is inserted into the ball about 100 times before and after heat storage test.
Practice Test:
In practice test, the grip over entire ball is tested with apparatus and five test person. They place the ball on their palms in different positions and collect average values to calculate average friction factor. Test is performed 3 times on 3 different positions of the ball.
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