The durability of the product depends on proper inflation of the ball. If you have a ball lying around that hasn't been used for a long time, it's time to bring it to the combat readiness possible available means. To avoid a recurrence of this situation, it is recommended to purchase sports equipment for the future. As a rule, the kit includes a pump, a needle, and silicone lubricant. Today we will talk about how to inflate a ball without a needle in “Spartan” conditions. Let's consider the important aspects in order and provide practical recommendations.
Method number 1. Syringe needle, bicycle pump, electrical tape
- A positive feature of this method of inflating a ball without a needle is the relative availability of materials. You can buy a syringe at any pharmacy, electrical tape at a hardware store, and a bicycle pump can be found in almost every home.
- A negative characteristic is that the necessary pump, much less a syringe, may not always be at hand. The guide below will help you make a needle for the ball so that you can subsequently inflate the product with the resulting “tool”. So let's get started.
- Take a needle from a syringe, sharpen it on the asphalt or curb, use a knife sharpener. It is important that the tip is blunt and not pointed, otherwise the needle will pierce the nipple, exposing the ball to damage. She should enter it smoothly, and not jump in in an instant. If possible, use a medical needle with a wide diameter (blood transfusion system), it is strong enough and does not bend or break.
- After sharpening the needle, wrap electrical tape around its base so that when it enters the ball, the air does not escape back. As a rule, 10-12 layers are enough to create a kind of adapter that will allow you to inflate the product quickly. All you need to do is insert the needle into the pump and then begin the procedure.
Method number 2. Compressor
The method is especially relevant if you need to pump up your football or volleyball while on the road.
- The advantage of this method is that in almost every locality you will find a car service center. The guys will help you pump up the ball for a nominal fee, or they won’t charge you a penny. At the same time, they may have a needle of the right size, which is good news. The method is suitable if you have absolutely no tools for pumping up the ball.
- The disadvantage of this method is the possible incompetence of car service workers who, through negligence, can overpump the product. Such an oversight will lead to an explosion and damage to the ball, but it’s still worth the risk.
- Many car services pump up tires, and gas stations also provide similar services, and completely free of charge. With the help of a powerful compressor, the air flow comes out under pressure, which is what you need.
- Bring the hose with the nozzle to the surface of the deflated ball, press firmly and turn on the device at maximum power. Pump the product until it becomes sufficiently hard. If possible, carry out the procedure together: the first person turns the compressor on/off, the second holds the ball and presses the cord, controlling the degree of inflation. It will not be superfluous to know that many modern compressors are equipped with a special nozzle for pumping balls.
Method No. 3. Syringe
- The technology of inflating a ball using this method is rightfully considered exhausting. The method is an alternative to the first option, but to implement it in reality you only need a syringe (preferably large) with a needle and 2 hours of free time. The duration of pumping depends on the volume of the syringe that will be used for the procedure.
- Perhaps this method does not have positive characteristics. Unless, eventually, with patience, you will be able to pump up the ball. A negative feature is the fact that the method is very tedious, time-consuming and unprofitable. You risk damaging the nipple, as a result of which the ball will constantly deflate (if you do not use silicone lubricant).
- The essence of inflation in this way is that air is introduced into the cavity of the ball using a conventional medical syringe large volume. If the syringe is 20 cc, you will inflate the product in 30-40 minutes; in the case of ten cc instruments, it will take about 60-120 minutes.
- To carry out the procedure correctly, lubricate the nipple with silicone oil or any other alternative. Fill the syringe with air, insert the needle into the corresponding hole, and press the lever. Take out the tool and repeat the steps until the ball is inflated to the desired state. If desired, you can pre-sharpen the needle so that its free edge becomes dull.
How to inflate a ball with a needle without a pump
If you find a needle or make it yourself, but don’t have a pump at hand, this method just for you.
- First you need to make an adapter. An ordinary plastic soda bottle serves as a homemade pump. If desired, you can replace the container with a very thick plastic bag without holes.
- Screw the needle into the bottle cap or solder it using the appropriate tool. As you can see, you have an adapter, now screw on the cap and check if any air comes out.
- Lubricate the nipple with silicone-based oil and insert the homemade unit. Using a convenient method (with your hands or feet), squeeze the air out of the cavity of the container so that it goes into the ball. Pull out the needle, inflate the bottle, repeat the previous manipulations until the desired effect is obtained.
There are not many ways to inflate a ball without a needle, but this does not mean that the idea is a failure. Use a medical syringe, electrical tape and bicycle pump. Ask the car service to pump up the product using a compressor, build a nozzle for the bottle.
Video: how to inflate a soccer ball if there is no needle
Football, basketball, volleyball and children's rubber balls are filled with air, which gives the necessary volume and hardness. Any ball gradually deflates, becoming unsuitable for comfortable play, and many people don’t understand how to properly inflate it, so we’ll tell you. The service life of the product and the comfort of the players depend on the correct pumping. It is recommended to use a pump and a special needle, which can be purchased in sports stores and hypermarkets.
How many atmospheres should the balls be inflated to?
Many people determine how much to inflate the ball empirically, but it is better to follow the manufacturer’s recommendations. This information is usually located near the nipple and is indicated in the Bar indicators. The average values for how many atmospheres to inflate balls are as follows:
- for playing on hard surfaces up to 0.8 bar;
- in the gym - about 0.6 bar;
- on unsteady ground or lawn - 0.6-0.8 bar.
This applies to football, basketball and volleyball, but a gymnastics ball or a children's rubber ball requires less pressure - they are inflated by eye. Professional soccer balls used by teams on the field are pumped up to a pressure of 0.8-1 bar.
But how can you inflate a soccer ball at home if the pump does not have a pressure gauge showing pressure? A properly inflated product should be moderately hard and elastic. A loose structure is a sign of insufficient pressure.
Checking the pump is very simple: lift the ball to head level and release. If it bounces off the hard floor to waist height (basketball level above), the pumping is appropriate.
Instructions for inflating the ball
There are videos on the Internet about how to inflate a ball, and recommendations are published on inflating using a syringe, a plastic bottle and other non-standard devices. Most of them are useless in real conditions, so let's look at how you can inflate a ball using a pump and a needle:
- Check the quality of the purchased needle. There should be no roughness or sharp points on its surface that could damage the rubber nipple.
- We recommend purchasing silicone ball oil, which is applied to the needle before inserting into a tight hole. This will protect the valve from damage and increase the elasticity of the nipple, extending its service life.
- Use a pump with a built-in pressure gauge, relying on its readings.
- If the pump does not have a pressure sensor, determine how the soccer ball should be inflated by eye.
To extend the life of the ball, experts advise releasing the pressure a little after playing. This way the product will retain its elasticity and the seams will last longer.
How to inflate a ball without a needle
Let us immediately note such instructions as inflating the ball with a syringe or plastic bottle. In real conditions, this is impossible to do or the process will take an unreasonably long time. If you don’t have a special needle, try the method with a medical needle.
You will need a needle purchased at a pharmacy. The thicker it is, the better, so you can look for a needle from a blood transfusion system. Sharpen the sharp end on asphalt or a knife whetstone. A blunt tip will not damage the rubber nipple.
Wrap electrical tape around the base of the needle to secure it tightly to the pump. Try to create a tight connection so that it can withstand the required pressure. With pumping up a rubber, bouncy ball or gymnastic fitball There will be no difficulties, but inflating a basketball or soccer ball will be more difficult due to the higher pressure.
The main thing is to insert the homemade needle into the nipple hole smoothly and carefully so as not to damage the internal walls or pierce the rubber. Careless actions can damage the valve, causing it to stop holding air.
Is it possible to inflate the ball with a compressor?
How else to inflate a ball without a needle and without a pump? Use a car compressor, the tip of the tube of which must be pressed tightly against the nipple and turn on the device. The method is effective, but there is another one.
You can use a compressor at a tire shop or car service center, but in this case there is a risk of overinflating the ball or damaging the nipple. You must act carefully, gradually applying pressure. It’s better not to trust the process to service workers, but ask them to do everything themselves. You need to pump air from the gun smoothly and in small portions so as not to exceed the number of atmospheres when pumping, or so that the nipple does not fall inside.
How to inflate a fitness, football or basketball ball with a pump with or without a needle should be clear to you, but we also recommend following the following tips:
- Regardless of which pump you decide to pump the ball with, don't overdo it. Exceeding the recommended pressure will affect the geometric shape of the ball and cause excessive tension at the seams.
- By inserting a dry needle into the nipple without silicone lubricant, you can grind the overdried rubber, causing the valve to become unusable over time.
- Do not store the ball in the sun or in the cold. If you store it in the trunk of a car, the air inside will be compressed and the ball will shrink slightly. When you come to the gym and pump up the ball, it will soon get warm and may burst from strong blow. Also, sun rays and frost negatively affect the rubber from which the nipple is made.
We are sure that our tips on how to inflate a large gymnastics ball or a regular football, basketball or volleyball will come in handy more than once in the future, so try to remember and use this information.
Video
To understand how to properly inflate our ball, you need to figure out what surface it is intended for. Difference between surfaces: , (asphalt or other hard surface) and (on the lawn). Having figured this out, we can find out how much we need to pump up our ball.
Before pumping, you can lubricate the pump needle or nipple itself with silicone oil. Such prevention serves to ensure that the nipple is more elastic and retains its properties over time. If you have, then we will give you the generally accepted degrees of pressure in balls.
- To play in the hall, we will pump you up to 0.6 bar
- For playing on hard surfaces we will pump it up to 0.8 bar
- For lawn (soft ground) from 0.6-0.8 bar
For example: professional balls used in official matches are inflated to an interval of 0.8-1 bar.
For convenience, manufacturers usually write how much the ball can be inflated; this information can be found on the product itself around the nipple. If you do not have a pressure gauge on the pump, then you can check how much your ball is inflated without a special pressure gauge. A well-inflated ball cannot have a loose structure, but if it is over-inflated, it will be too hard. You can test your equipment using another method: lift it to shoulder level and release it , if it jumps up to waist level, then you have pumped up your ball well!
One more operating tip. After the game, the ball is usually lowered - this is done to “relax” the equipment and relieve stress on the seams. A ball that is constantly inflated to the maximum may lose its structure and the seams may soon lose their strength. Therefore, we advise you to buy for soccer ball to extend the life of the product.
To understand how to properly inflate our ball, you need to figure out what surface it is intended for. Difference between surfaces: , (asphalt or other hard surface) and (on the lawn). Having figured this out, we can find out how much we need to pump up our ball.
Before pumping, you can lubricate the pump needle or nipple itself with silicone oil. Such prevention serves to ensure that the nipple is more elastic and retains its properties over time. If you have, then we will give you the generally accepted degrees of pressure in balls.
- To play in the hall, we will pump you up to 0.6 bar
- For playing on hard surfaces we will pump it up to 0.8 bar
- For lawn (soft ground) from 0.6-0.8 bar
For example: professional balls used in official matches are inflated to an interval of 0.8-1 bar.
For convenience, manufacturers usually write how much the ball can be inflated; this information can be found on the product itself around the nipple. If you do not have a pressure gauge on the pump, then you can check how much your ball is inflated without a special pressure gauge. A well-inflated ball cannot have a loose structure, but if it is over-inflated, it will be too hard. You can test your equipment using another method: lift it to shoulder level and release it , if it jumps up to waist level, then you have pumped up your ball well!
One more operating tip. After the game, the ball is usually lowered - this is done to “relax” the equipment and relieve stress on the seams. A ball that is constantly inflated to the maximum may lose its structure and the seams may soon lose their strength. Therefore, we advise you to buy a soccer ball to extend the service life of the product.
Often when inflating a basketball, the question arises whether to inflate it more or less. You have to resort to the Internet to find information regarding this issue. We decided to help you with this and answer the question of what pressure should be in a basketball. The NBA/WNBA rules regarding ball pressure say the following: “Should be inflated to between 7.5 and 8.5 pounds per square inch.” This means that the pressure should be in the range of 7.5-9.5 psi, that is, in terms of bar, this is approximately 0.5-0.6 bar.
However, we decided to go further. The Meteor company's assortment includes a pressure gauge for measuring pressure in balls, on the scale of which there are marks for various team sports and for basketball this mark is located at 0.6-0.8 bar. Seeing the contradiction, we decided to check the calculations made on this pressure gauge. In addition, the manufacturer indicates a scale in PSI, which does not coincide with the bar scale for the same product. 1PSI= 0.068947 bar, and the scale shows that 13 PSI is the upper pressure limit for basketballs, that is, 0.8 bar. When in reality 13 PSI = 0.9 bar. This gives an error of 12%, which is a very large figure in the case of pressure in the ball.
To better see the difference, we decided to test both the first and second pressures in practice, and another surprise awaited us. At a pressure of 0.5-0.6 bar, the ball was practically deflated and it was impossible to play with it; at 0.8 the ball was also not suitable for play. In our measurement, the required pressure was 1.0-1.2 bar; we carried out measurements with a pressure gauge built into the Meteor pump.
Having received three different results, we decided to continue looking for the answer and check what FIBA writes about pressure in basketballs. The FIBA specification entry reads: “When dropped on the playing floor from a height of 1,800 millimeters (6 feet) the ball should bounce to a height between 1,200 millimeters and 1,400 millimeters (47 to 55 inches), measured to the top of the ball". This is probably what it is best way checking the pressure in a basketball. Explanation: a ball thrown from a height of 180 cm should bounce off the floor to a height of 120 cm - 140 cm. This test method is suitable for balls made of various materials (rubber, artificial leather, genuine leather, etc.), as well as for sites of varying hardness, which affects the rebound of the ball (asphalt, concrete, tartan, parquet).
This method of verification suits us 100%.