A volleyball is a

ball A ball is a round object (usually spherical, but can sometimes be ovoid) with several uses. It is used in ball games, where the play of the game follows the state of the ball as it is hit, kicked or thrown by players. Balls can also be used f ...

used to play

indoor volleyball Indoor(s) may refer to: *the interior of a building *Indoor environment, in building science, traditionally includes the study of indoor thermal environment, indoor acoustic environment, indoor light environment, and indoor air quality *Built envi ...

beach volleyball Beach volleyball is a team sport played by two teams of two or more players on a sand court divided by a net. Similar to indoor volleyball, the objective of the game is to send the ball over the net and to ground it on the opponent's side of the ...

, 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 A valve is a device or natural object that regulates, directs or controls the flow of a fluid (gases, liquids, fluidized solids, or slurries) by opening, closing, or partially obstructing various passageways. Valves are technically fittings ...

permits the internal air

pressure Pressure (symbol: ''p'' or ''P'') is the force applied perpendicular to the surface of an object per unit area over which that force is distributed. Gauge pressure (also spelled ''gage'' pressure)The preferred spelling varies by country and e ...

to be adjusted. In a break from the traditional construction, in 2008, the FIVB adopted as its official indoor ball a new

Mikasa Mikasa ( ja, 三笠) may refer to: Businesses * Mikasa Sports, a sporting goods manufacturer * Mikasa & Company, a brand of tableware and food utensils Places * Mikasa, Hokkaido, Japan * Mikasa Park, in Yokosuka, Kanagawa, Japan * Mount Wakakusa ...

with dimples and only eight panels for a softer touch and truer flight. Mikasa VLS300 official beach volleyball

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 shade 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.

Major brands

There are several brands of competitive volleyballs in use, including, but not limited to: *

Tachikara Tachikara is a Japanese sports ball brand. It was established in Tokyo in 1915 by Toyaburo Iimuro.http://en.tachikara.jp/about References External links

* Sporting goods manufacturers of Japan {{sport-stub ...

Molten Melting, or fusion, is a physical process that results in the phase transition of a substance from a solid to a liquid. This occurs when the internal energy of the solid increases, typically by the application of heat or pressure, which inc ...

*Allsix *Copaya *

Wilson Wilson may refer to: People * Wilson (name) ** List of people with given name Wilson ** List of people with surname Wilson * Wilson (footballer, 1927–1998), Brazilian manager and defender * Wilson (footballer, born 1984), full name Wilson Ro ...

Baden Sports
*

Mizuno () is a Japanese sports equipment and sportswear company, founded in Osaka in 1906 by Rihachi Mizuno. Today, Mizuno is a global corporation which makes a wide variety of sports equipment and sportswear for badminton, baseball, boxing, cycling ...

Nike Nike often refers to: * Nike (mythology), a Greek goddess who personifies victory * Nike, Inc., a major American producer of athletic shoes, apparel, and sports equipment Nike may also refer to: People * Nike (name), a surname and feminine given ...

* Spalding *

Beta Beta (, ; uppercase , lowercase , or cursive ; grc, βῆτα, bē̂ta or ell, βήτα, víta) is the second letter of the Greek alphabet. In the system of Greek numerals, it has a value of 2. In Modern Greek, it represents the voiced labiod ...

* Gala (made in Czech Republic) 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 The European Volleyball Confederation (french: Confédération Européenne de Volleyball or ''CEV'') is the continental sports governing body, governing body for the sports of volleyball, indoor volleyball, beach volleyball, and snow volleyball ...

(beach and indoor). *Molten makes the official ball of

USA Volleyball USA Volleyball (USAV) is a non-profit organization which is recognized as the national governing body of volleyball in the United States by the Fédération Internationale de Volleyball (FIVB) and the United States Olympic Committee (USOC). It i ...

. *Molten makes the official ball of

NCAA The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) is a nonprofit organization that regulates student athletics among about 1,100 schools in the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico. It also organizes the athletic programs of colleges an ...

Volleyball (indoor). *Wilson makes the official ball of the

Association of Volleyball Professionals The Association of Volleyball Professionals (AVP) is the biggest and longest-running professional beach volleyball tour in the United States. Founded in 1983, the AVP is headquartered in Newport Beach, California. The AVP operates as a 3-tiered ...

(beach).

References

{{reflist

External links

CEV and Mikasa unveil new Champions League volleyball in ViennaCEV Website - Confederation Europeenne de Volleyball
Balls Volleyball terminology Inflatable manufactured goods

Volleyball characteristics

Major brands

Adopted use

See also

References

External links