What makes a good volleyball ball

If you’re a passionate indoor volleyball player, you know that there are certain factors that are integral to the game. One of them being the volleyball ball itself. Mastering volleyball is highly dependent on the type and quality of the ball you use during both practice and play. As the age old saying goes, if you want to be the best, you must play with the best. In volleyball, that means you need the best ball.

Significant time and effort has been invested into producing the best indoor volleyballs for players of all experience levels.

Jump To ( click to scroll to ):

  • Our Top 5 Indoor Volleyballs
  • Our Best Indoor Volleyball For Young Players

 

CHARACTERISTICS OF INDOOR VOLLEYBALL BALLS

How are indoor volleyballs different to the best beach volleyballs? In volleyball your location makes a major difference (indoor vs outdoor). The playing surface and environmental factors have a big impact on the ball you use as well as how the ball reacts. Simply put, what works indoors in the gym in terms of the ball, does not work outdoors and on the beach. Each environment requires a ball that is specifically designed to accommodate and withstand the elements it faces. 

Here are some characteristics that are important in an indoor volleyball:

There are two different styles when it comes to indoor volleyballs, namely youth and adult volleyballs. We’ll have a look at both.

Size:

Standard indoor volleyball balls are slightly smaller than outdoor beach volleyball balls. Indoor youth volleyballs are also smaller than indoor adult volleyballs. Youth volleyball players must be able to palm the ball and force it over the net. Having a slightly smaller size, with a lower psi, helps them in executing the action effectively.

  • Youth Volleyball balls: 63 to 65-centimeters or 25 to 26-inches in circumference.
  • Adult Volleyball balls: 65 to 67-centimeters or 25.5 to 26.5-inches in circumference.

 

Weight:

The weight of indoor and outdoor volleyballs are pretty much the same. As well as the weight of both indoor youth volleyballs and indoor adult volleyballs. Having a light-weight ball improves the ball’s ease of movement during a high-energy game where timing is critical. Especially as indoor volleyball is typically a fast-paced game fuelled by speed and power.

  • Youth Volleyball balls: They weigh 2 to 9.9 ounces, or 260-280-grams.
  • Adult Volleyball balls: They weigh 2 to 9.9-ounces or 260 to 280-grams. 

 

Hardness of the ball:

Indoor volleyball balls are harder than outdoor beach volleyballs. The internal pressure/psi of an indoor volleyball ball is higher than that of a beach volleyball. As the court in indoor volleyball is made of a much harder surface, the ball warrants a higher psi in order to accommodate it. The game of indoor volleyball is a game of power, the heavier the ball, the quicker it moves and the harder it can be hit. Making for thrilling game play and optimal player performance.

  • Youth Volleyball balls: Internal pressure of these balls are set at 4.3 psi or 0.30-kgf-per-centimeter-squared.
  • Adult Volleyball balls: They have a psi of 4.3 to 4.6, or 0.3 to 0.325-kgf-per-centimeter-squared.

 

Material:

Most indoor volleyball balls are made from leather. This is because leather is highly durable and can withstand the intense striking that the ball endures during practice and play. Beach volleyballs are usually made from composite materials. However, sometimes beach volleyballs can have leather mixed in to make them more water-resistant.

Another major difference between the balls is that indoor volleyball balls are moulded. Outdoor beach volleyballs are usually separate panels that are stitched together. Indoor volleyballs also consist of panels that are glued to an inner lining. This gives the seams a smooth appearance. The smooth features of an indoor ball have a variety of benefits. It makes the ball more consistent during play (which greatly influences how the game as a whole is played), as well as makes it more suitable for indoor use as there are no environmental elements for the ball the contend with in a controlled indoor setting.

If you are an avid volleyball player, be it indoor or beach volleyball, it is extremely important to practice and play with the right equipment. Especially with the right volleyball ball that is specifically designed and constructed for your setting and type of play. Playing or practising with the wrong ball can significantly affect your enjoyment and performance. A great indoor volleyball is designed and engineered in such a way as to enable maximum performance and optimal skill execution.

The Following Are Our 5 Best Indoor Volleyballs:

What makes a good volleyball ball

1. Tachikara Sensi-Tec Composite SV-5WSC Volleyball – Winner

The Tachikara Sensi-Tec Composite SV-5WSC is one of the top balls for indoor volleyball. Tachikara has long been a world leader in advanced manufacturing methods and innovative materials for athletic balls. Considered the top choice for many professional indoor volleyball leagues across the world, the Tachikara Sensi-Tec Composite SV-5WSC Volleyball is a highly durable, high performance, competition-grade indoor volleyball. It is made with a microfiber and leather composite cover that consists of fibres fused with resin. The resin-fused fibres significantly enhance the touch control of the ball during play by providing a softer touch and better feel. This top-of-the-line indoor volleyball also boasts a patented loose bladder system for excellent responsiveness and improved ball flight. The innovative material and superior construction of the Tachikara Sensi-Tec Composite SV-5WSC Volleyball is thus known to deliver unmatched playability. This ball is suitable for all ages and level of indoor volleyball play.

This ball has fantastic reviews for the Tachikara Sensi-Tec Composite SV-5WSC Volleyball:

“My favourite volleyball for indoor competition. I am a volleyball addict and I play 2 to 3 times a week. I own about 10 different volleyballs for different occasions such as indoor recreation/competition, outdoor sand/grass, pool volleyball, volley tennis, and for coaching children. The texture of this volleyball is soft and feels amazing when setting, bumping, and spiking. It really differentiates and sets apart from SV-18S, which is Tachikara’s lower end ball for recreational volleyball. This is the best ball for serious, competitive indoor volleyball. 5 out of 5 stars!”

The Tachikara Sensi-Tec Composite SV-5WSC Volleyball comes in 39 different colors:

2. Mikasa MVA200

What makes a good volleyball ball

The Mikasa MVA200 is an official volleyball used by the International Volleyball Federation and is one of the top balls used in a variety of world-wide volleyball competitions. The Mikasa MVA200 was also the official ball of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games. Making the Mikasa MVA200 one of the best indoor volleyballs available to players and coaches. Its state-of-the-art and detailed design will provide players with a definite difference in dexterity and control they won’t find in other indoor volleyballs. The Mikasa MVA200 consists of an 8-panel design that allows for improved hand contact, greater accuracy and a better feel of the ball.

This top indoor volleyball has special aerodynamic dimples positioned throughout the outer body of the ball. These aerodynamic dimples greatly improve the ball’s handling ability and creates a truer flight pattern for maximum top spin. It also makes float serves much harder to pass. If that isn’t enough, the Mikasa MVA200 boasts a highly engineered design that plays perfectly to the stability and control of the ball when in high-intensity gameplay. This is particularly beneficial to top level and professional indoor volleyball players. The Mikasa MVA200 in particular has an exclusive micro-fibre covering that boasts a soft and a nylon centre. This further elevates a player’s game play and takes their performance to the next level.

If the MVA200 is out of stock, then consider the the Mikasa V200W – The V200W features a perfectly balanced, 18-panel aerodynamic design that improves ball movement and gives players greater control.

What makes a good volleyball ball

3. Molten FLISTATEC 5000 Volleyball

What makes a good volleyball ball

Another one of the best indoor volleyballs is the Molten FLISTATEC 5000 Volleyball. This high-performance indoor volleyball is the official ball of the NCAA Men’s Volleyball Championships. The Molten FLIPSTATEC 5000 is also the official volleyball of USA Volleyball and is FIBA approved. Making it the ultimate choice for numerous collegiate conferences and programs across the world. It is thus one of the top indoor volleyballs to take your game to the next level.

The Molten FLIPSTATEC 5000 consists of a premium micro-fibre composite cover. Its premium structure and design allow for increased visibility, enhanced flight stability, outstanding ball control and enhanced grip. One of the main factors that sets the Molten FLIPSTATEC 5000 apart, is that it is built with the ability to maximize its surrounding air-current when in flight. By optimizing the air-current around the ball, Molten’s FLISTATEC Flight Stability Technology provides athletes with the control and consistency that they demand with every contact during play. With the Molten FLIPSTATEC 5000 Volleyball you can expect exceptional player performance and more accurate overhand passing and sets. And that’s merely scratching the surface of what it has to offer. It certainly makes sense why the this ball is considered one of the top-rated indoor volleyball balls in the world.

What makes a good volleyball ball

4. Molten Premium Competition L2 Volleyball ( Best For Young Players )

What makes a good volleyball ball

The Molten L2 series is USA Volleyball and NCAA Approved. Making it one of the top indoor volleyballs available. It truly provides you with everything you want and need in a competition level indoor volleyball. The Molten L2 consists of a micro-fibre composite cover and uni-bladder cotton wrapped construction. This provides players with a soft touch, yet is highly durable and able to withstand the demands of intense practice and game play. The Molten L2 Volleyball is also available in a wide variety of colours to match every team’s colour requirements.

The Molten L2 is also a great indoor volleyball for younger players looking to improve their skills and performance

Here is a great Amazon customer review for the Molten L2 Volleyball:

“I’m a high school coach and I bought a ball to see how it would hold up versus the Tachikaras I had. Verdict: my girls love this ball! Well-built and holds up to abuse from many practices and scrimmages. Soft feel and playability make it the favourite ball of my setters. Will be buying more Molten balls in the future!”

5. Wilson K1 Gold Volleyball

What makes a good volleyball ball

The new Wilson K1 Gold (replacing i-COR High Performance) is an elite indoor volleyball that is guaranteed to enhance player performance and game play. Making the Wilson K1 Gold Volleyball one of the top indoor volleyballs available. This premium indoor volleyball utilises a new power lining technology that assists players to strike the ball with the perfect balance of power and control. Allowing for stronger kills, more commanding hits, and powerful strikes.

The Wilson K1 Gold Volleyball boasts a new leather cover and lining, which enables a greater degree of ball control. This significantly improves directional changes all over the court during both practice and play. Besides all of it’s top-of-the-line features, superior design elements and high durability, the Wilson K1 Gold Volleyball is especially designed to keep players from holding back. This encourages enhanced levels of player performance and exceptional, powerful and thrilling game play. 

There you have it our top 5 indoor volleyballs. Let us know what you think in the comments and if you think we should add any to the list?