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
In order for a soccer ball to serve you for as long as possible, it, like many other types sports equipment, requires proper care and compliance with operating conditions. The service life of the ball largely depends on these factors, as well as on the intensity of use of the ball.
Operating conditions mean, first of all, the type and properties of the playground surface and weather conditions.
There are several main types of playing surfaces:
– very hard (SUPER HARD), these are cinder areas, parquet in the hall, as an exception, an asphalt area, etc.;
– hard, hard (HARD, TURF) made of various synthetic materials (can be used both indoors and outdoors);
– soft: soft ground, lawn.
There are several types of weather conditions, the main ones being: rain, snow, mud, high humidity and air temperature.
It should be understood that the materials used in the production of the ball, the design options for the ball and the resulting technical specifications, such as rebound height, moisture resistance, wear resistance are selected for specific operating conditions. Therefore, carefully study the pictograms on the ball; they will tell you which weather conditions and on which courts you can play with this ball model.
| – the ball is suitable for playing on soft ground, lawns with natural and artificial grass; | |
| – the ball is suitable for playing on hard courts with synthetic turf; | |
| – the ball is suitable for playing on sites with a very hard, hard surface, for example, cinder fields, hard synthetic surfaces, halls, asphalt is possible, but extremely undesirable, etc. To produce balls suitable for this type of surface, materials are used that have increased wear resistance and abrasion resistance; | |
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– the ball is suitable for use in conditions of high humidity and adverse weather conditions: rain, slush, dirt; |
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| – the ball is suitable for playing at low temperatures 0...-2°C, on snowy surfaces, in conditions of poor visibility; | |
| – the ball is suitable for playing indoors (mini-football, futsal) and, if desired, for playing on small outdoor courts with a hard surface. |
Dear customer, we consider it our duty to emphasize that football is still a game on a grass lawn at temperatures above 0°C! Soccer balls, in principle, are not intended for playing in extreme conditions, such as, for example, frost - 20 ° C or asphalt. This does not mean that you can’t play with them in such conditions, of course you can, but the service life of the ball is reduced by 3-5 times, and difficulties arise when returning the goods under warranty, since the defect is not a manufacturing defect, but is a consequence of violation of operating conditions .
Operating instructions
Attention! Before pumping for the first time, you need to perform the following actions with the ball: straighten the ball as much as possible and shake it so that the camera is located freely and centrally inside the ball.
Due to the specifics of packaging, transportation and storage of balls, wrinkles and creases sometimes form on their tires (the outer layer of the ball), which after some time (depending on the type of tire material and other factors) disappear and the ball becomes smooth. The same applies to the shape of the ball, after inflating, leave the ball in an inflated state for a while, the panels and seams will straighten out, it will become round and even.
1. Inflate the ball as follows: apply 1-2 drops of special oil to the nipple hole or needle, take the ball by the panel where the nipple is located, insert the needle into it, inflate the ball to the pressure value indicated in the figure around the nipple. We strongly recommend using oil; it not only prevents damage to the valve and nipple walls when the needle penetrates, but also makes the nipple material more elastic and protects it from drying out. If there is no oil, moisten the needle or nipple with saliva, but under no circumstances use lubricants not intended for inflating balls; such substances may contain active components that destroy the nipple material. The needle must also be special, suitable for inflating balls; the tip of the needle must be even, smooth, without sharp edges or burrs.
Attention, always use lubricants on the nipple or needle, otherwise you risk damaging the nipple and being left without a ball!
It is recommended to always check the pressure in the balls using a pressure gauge. Over-inflating the ball places increased pressure and excessive tensile stress on the panels and seams of the ball, significantly reducing its lifespan.
2. After play, loosen the ball slightly using a needle and oil (saliva) to relieve stress on the panels and seams of the ball, thereby maintaining their elasticity and shape. When a ball is constantly inflated to maximum pressure, the panels stretch out, the tightness of the seams weakens, the ball wears out faster, absorbs more moisture, and its playing characteristics deteriorate.
Please note that latex bladders (they are found in most footballs, sometimes mini-footballs) tend to bleed air slightly, which creates the impression of being “deflated.” This is an absolutely normal phenomenon and can be easily corrected by inflating the ball.
Care and storage instructions
1. After each game, wipe the ball with a damp cloth. In case of heavy soiling, use a cloth soaked in warm soapy water; under no circumstances use abrasive cleaners, or products containing solvents or other aggressive substances.
2. Let the ball dry naturally. If the ball is very wet, first wipe it dry with a soft cloth. Dry the balls in a well-ventilated place, away from heat sources, at a temperature of +20-25°C and a humidity of 60-65%. Avoid exposure to direct sunlight and never dry the ball near or on the surface of heating devices. Prolonged exposure to dirt, moisture, and elevated temperatures lead to a deterioration in the physical properties of the ball, and, as a result, its playing characteristics, and a reduction in service life.
3. It is recommended to store balls in a dry, ventilated place at a temperature from +5°C to +25°C and a relative humidity of 50-80%. Balls must be protected from direct sunlight, exposure to vapors, gases and chemicals.
Following the above simple rules will save the life of your ball for a long time!
We wish you a wonderful game and amazing victories!
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%.
Probably, each of you wondered how to maintain the nipple of the ball, how to properly inflate the ball? Unfortunately, I couldn’t find anything intelligible on the Internet. But today, we have come to the point where we can tell you about all the subtleties that arise when inflating a ball with a pump. Let's go:
1) Use ONLY a special needle that is designed for inflating balls (see picture below) The needle should be smooth and without any scratches or burrs, they will significantly reduce the life of the nipple. Do not try to inflate the ball without a needle by simply pressing the pump/hose. At best, you won’t succeed; at worst, the nipple will fall inside the ball and you will end up in need of a ball repair or a new ball.
2) You need to insert the needle STRICTLY VERTICALLY, after dipping the needle into a special lubricant. Lubrication will help extend the life of the nipple and maintain its elasticity (lubricant will soon be available for sale in our group - https://vk.com/sosokservice). As a last resort, spit liberally on the needle! If you insert the needle at an angle, you instantly damage the nipple - you tear it in the wrong place. The nipple is actually very soft and can easily be accidentally damaged.
3) While inflating the ball, the needle must not be allowed to move in ANY direction inside the nipple. No back and forth! Don't swing to the sides! This causes the nipple to gradually rupture.
Of course, it is impossible to firmly fix the needle while inflating the ball so that it does not move left and right, but the less the needle “plays” inside the nipple, the longer it will live!
4) Upon reaching the required pressure, remove the needle smoothly, without sudden movements. Voila, you have inflated the ball correctly!
— Excessive pressure does not affect the service life of the nipple. It only affects the geometric parameters of the ball.
— The fewer times we insert the needle into the nipple, the longer it will live, for this it is advisable to use a pump with a built-in pressure gauge to immediately pump up the required pressure. The fewer times we completely deflate and inflate the ball, the will live longer nipple - because rubber also oxidizes! We have observed a crumbling nipple many times for two reasons - oxygen and ultraviolet radiation. Hence, do not store balls in direct sunlight.
— Don't store balls in the cold, for example, in the car in winter. Every winter they often bring us brand new balls for repairs. The reason is that in the cold the air inside the ball is compressed, and when entering the gym they try to pump up the ball in order to start training. But they forget about something important - in the cold the nipple also becomes rougher, losing its elasticity. As soon as you insert a needle into a frozen nipple, you risk severe damage to the nipple. If you pump the ball after frost, then after long storage at room temperature.
P.S. We allow you to copy the text completely and without changes and use it on behalf of our blog.
A game of basketball is unthinkable without a good and high-quality ball. So that he had a spherical shape and was elastic It is worth keeping the ball inflated.
If the projectile is deflated, playing basketball is impossible because there are strict requirements about making sure it is pumped up appropriately.
How to choose a basketball
There are established standards for balls intended for playing basketball:
- spherical shape;
- installed shade of orange;
- traditional drawing of eight inserts and black seams.
Photo 1. MOLTEN BGF7X basketball made of synthetic leather, orange with black and beige stripes.
Average weight 567—650 g, circle from 749 to 780 mm. There are 4 standard sizes for playing basketball.
Classification:
- For indoor play only. Are marked Indoor.
- Universal(for use both indoors and outdoors), are marked Outdoor.
Important! If labeling requirements are not observed, it is possible deterioration in quality products and its rapid wear.
When purchasing, you need to pay attention so that the projectile does not bleed air. When sold, 95% of balls are sold in inflated condition, if it's deflated, it will probably happen all the time.
For production The following materials are used:
- Genuine Leather.
- Leatherette.
- Rubber.
What to look for when purchasing
Rules for purchasing:
- Don't buy too expensive for playing in open areas (asphalt) - they are not durable, will last no more than 1 year.
- The more expensive gym ball, the more it is of high quality and will last longer. They They fit more comfortably in the hand and retain their shape.
- For the game You need different balls in the gym and on the street.
Manufacturers:
- Spalding.
- Wilson.
- Nike.
How to pump up a ball
The durability of basketballs depends on proper inflation. It is desirable to have specialized equipment for this: pump with needle, silicone lubricant. Silicone oil ensures the safety of the valve during needle insertion. A couple of drops are enough. In the absence of specialized oil, the needle can be moistened with saliva. You need to shake the ball before pumping so that the camera is in a vertical position, below the valve opening. Then pump it up.
Attention! Prohibited use industrial lubricants, not intended for balls. This will damage the valve!
If they are absent, you can use another method. For this you will need ordinary bicycle pump, syringe needle, insulating tape. This method is convenient because all the items needed for this are accessible and easy to buy everywhere.
You need to take a needle from a syringe and sharpen it, by friction against asphalt or a sharpening stone for a knife. This is done to make the needle tip blunt, otherwise it may damage the valve, resulting in permanent air leakage.
Best suited IV needle- it is wider and stronger than that of a syringe. After preparing the needle, its base wrapped with 10 layers of insulating tape, for a tight fit to the pump.
Then the needle is inserted into the pump valve and pumping is carried out. The time depends on the pump volume and the degree of pumping at the beginning of the process.
You can also pump up using a syringe, but this is a very difficult process that takes about two hours, depending on the volume of the syringe.
Is it possible to pump without a needle?
This method is associated with the use compressor for inflating car tires. The simplicity of the method lies in the fact that the ball can be inflated at any auto repair shop.
Advice. The possibility is not excluded pumping. This will damage the camera.
To swap using this method, you need press the cut of the compressor hose firmly against the ball valve, then turn on the compressor. Then, press the hose tightly against the valve until the optimal pressure is achieved. Modern compressors have attachments for pumping balls.
Photo 2. The process of inflating a basketball using a DeFort DCC-252-Lt automobile compressor.
How much pressure is needed
During pumping, it is necessary to monitor the pump pressure gauge. The ball may indicate the optimal pressure. On average - from 0.4 to 0.9 bar.
Attention! If you don't have a pressure gauge, you can check the pressure in a simple way: throw an inflated ball from shoulder level, in case of normal pressure it should jump to waist level.
After the game, it is advisable to deflate the ball a little, and Do not keep it constantly in the maximum pumped state.
How to tape a basketball
To repair the camera you will need the following materials:
- patches;
- glue for rubber products (tubes);
- camera surface cleaning tool ( sandpaper);
- nylon thread for suturing.
Procedure:
- Slightly rip open one of the seams.
- Remove camera, through the ripped seam.
- Locate the puncture site, clean, then apply glue and apply a patch.
- Renovated Place the camera back and sew up the seams.
To repair seams, a strong nylon thread is required. The suture is placed through the old holes; new ones are not necessary.
