Official specifications
An indoor volleyball is spherical, made of leather or flexible synthetic leather, with an inner bladder. The FIVB regulation values are:
| Feature | Value |
|---|---|
| Circumference | 65-67 cm |
| Weight | 260-280 g |
| Internal pressure | 0,30-0,325 kg/cm² |
The pressure is also indicated in other units on the packaging: 0,30-0,325 kg/cm² corresponds to approximately 294-318 mbar. This value is not just a detail for enthusiasts: a ball inflated below the threshold becomes soft, slows down and changes the reception technique; a ball above the threshold becomes hard on the forearms and bounces unpredictably off the fingers.
For FIVB competitions, the ball must have a combination of colours, not be a single colour: the reason is practical, as the rotation of the ball is much easier to read. For the same reason, even in training, a coloured ball helps you understand whether a float serve is spinning or not.
Indoor vs beach volleyballs
They are two different pieces of equipment and are not interchangeable:
| Indoor | Beach | |
|---|---|---|
| Circumference | 65-67 cm | 66-68 cm |
| Weight | 260-280 g | 260-280 g |
| Pressure | 0,30-0,325 kg/cm² | 171-221 mbar |
| Material | leather or synthetic | water-resistant |
A beach volleyball is therefore larger and inflated to a lower pressure: this results in a softer and slower ball, which is less painful on the forearms and more sensitive to the wind. Using an indoor ball on the beach ruins it quickly (sand and moisture) and makes the game harder; using a beach volleyball in a sports hall results in a slow and imprecise ball.
Which volleyball to buy
For an amateur team playing in a sports hall. A match ball from a well-known brand, plus one or two for training. You do not need the official model used in international competitions: you need a well-stitched or well-glued ball that holds its shape and pressure. The sign of a poor-quality ball is not the price: it is that after a month it is no longer spherical.
For beginners, including adults. There are lighter and softer balls designed for beginners: they hurt less on the forearms and allow you to focus on the technique rather than the pain. They are not regulation size/weight, and that is not a problem: once your dig is stable, you can move on to a normal ball.
For younger players. For youth development categories, federations specify lighter balls with a reduced circumference compared to match balls. The exact values depend on the category and the season, so they should be checked against your federation's regulations: using an adult ball with young children is the quickest way to make someone quit.
For outdoor use on asphalt or concrete. A durable rubber or synthetic ball: a leather ball on concrete will wear out in just a few matches.
How many balls do you need
- To play with friends: two. One to use and one because the first one always ends up behind the stands.
- For serious training: ideally one for every two players, because repeated serving and attacking drills without enough balls just turn into queues.
- For a tournament: at least two per court, of the same model and inflated to the same level, plus two spares. Changing balls mid-match because the first one went flat is an avoidable hassle.
During a match, there is only one match ball: the others stay off the court. This is a simple rule that is often ignored in amateur tournaments, where warm-up balls left by the side of the court end up under someone's feet.
Inflation and maintenance
- You need a pressure gauge. Inflating "by feel" produces completely different balls. A pump with a pressure gauge is inexpensive and is the accessory with the best value for money.
- Moisten the needle before inserting it, so you do not damage the valve.
- Check the pressure every time. Balls lose air slowly, especially with temperature changes: a ball inflated in November and left in a cold storeroom in January is almost always under-inflated.
- Do not leave them in the sun or in a car in summer. Heat increases the pressure and deforms the casing.
- Clean them with a damp cloth, without harsh detergents. If you play on sand, rinse and dry them.
- Do not use them as seats. This is the most common way to deform a match ball.
How to recognise a ball that needs replacing
Three objective signs. It is no longer spherical: when placed on the ground and rolled, it always veers to the same side. It does not hold pressure for more than a few days, a sign that the valve or the bladder has failed. The panels are separating or the casing is smooth and slippery at the contact points.
A ball in this condition is not just uncomfortable: it causes players who are learning to make technical mistakes, because the ball does not behave as it should. In a team of friends, replacing a damaged ball is the cheapest technical investment you can make.