Volleyball (ball)

A volleyball is a ball used to play indoor volleyball, beach volleyball, 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. However, in 2008, the FIVB adopted as its official indoor ball a new Mikasa with dimples and only eight panels for a softer touch and truer flight. [cite web|title=New Volleyball Set For Olympics|url=http://www.spikemag.com.au/?section=blog&bid=45] A valve permits the internal air pressure to be adjusted.

"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 a combination of three different easily distinguishable colors. They are made in two versions: the youth version is slightly smaller than the standard version to accommodate children's use.

Beach volleyballs have a heavier weight than standard indoor balls and they are slightly larger, have a rougher external texture, and a lower internal pressure. They may be brightly colored or solid white.

= Brands =

Major brands

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

* Tachikara
* Molten
* Wilson
* Mikasa
* Baden
* Spalding

Most of these brands also make cheaper variations for recreational (non-competitive) use.

Adopted use

*Mikasa makes the official balls of FIVB (beach and indoor).
*Molten makes the official ball of USA Volleyball (indoor).
*Wilson makes the official ball of the AVP (beach).

References