Volleyballs Spalding

Spalding and the first volleyball

When William G. Morgan imagined the game in 1895 at the YMCA in Holyoke, Massachusetts, he called it mintonette and looked for a ball light enough to be hit with bare hands over a net. He turned to Spalding, a company founded in Chicago in 1876 by Albert Goodwill Spalding, who developed the first ball designed for this new sport. The game was presented in 1896 at a YMCA conference in Springfield, where it took the name volleyball. Since then, the brand has remained linked to the origins of the sport and continues to produce balls for both indoor and beach play.

Other balls

Volleyballs are also available as:

• Mikasa.
• Molten.
• Wilson.
• Competition.
• Training.
• Beach Volley.
• Lots.

All balls are gathered on the balls page.

Circumference, weight, and pressure of an indoor ball

An indoor volleyball measures sixty-five to sixty-seven centimetres in circumference and weighs between two hundred sixty and two hundred eighty grams, according to international regulations. Its pressure is between zero point thirty and zero point three hundred twenty-five kilograms per square centimetre: too inflated, it hits harshly on the forearms; not enough, it loses its trajectory on serve. The s synthetic leather cover, softer than rubber, makes forearm passes less painful and facilitates accurate passes. For younger players, a lighter ball helps reduce anxiety during reception.

Beach-volley ball: bigger and less inflated

The beach-volley is played with a slightly larger ball, measuring sixty-six to sixty-eight centimetres, and significantly less inflated: from zero point one seventy-five to zero point two twenty-five kilograms per square centimetre. This low pressure slows the ball down and softens the impact of hitting with bare hands during long rallies. Its panels are usually stitched, making them more resistant to sand, moisture, and sunlight than glued ones. It should be rinsed with fresh water after a game by the sea, its pressure should be checked with a manometer rather than by feel, and it should not be left to heat in a car boot in the sun.

Good deals

Good deals can also be found in the good deals, promotions, clearance, sales, Black Friday. The new arrivals showcase the latest collections, and items shipped in 24 hours are prepared and sent out in 24 hours. Key times of the year follow a steady order: the Black Friday at the end of autumn, the end-of-year celebrations, the winter sales, the French Days in spring, followed by the summer sales and back-to-school.

Frequently asked questions

Which volley ball should be chosen for a child?

Young players use a ball the same size as adults but lighter, which hurts less injury to the forearms and is more reassuring during reception. It allows learning the correct forearm and passing techniques without anxiety.

How to properly inflate a volleyball?

Moisten the needle before inserting it into the valve to avoid damage, then pump with small bursts. Check on the manometer the value next to the valve: an indoor ball inflates much more than a beach-volley.

What is the difference between a stitched volley ball and a glued ball?

Glued or thermowelded panels create a very regular sphere with a consistent feel, which is desired indoors. The stitches, being more flexible and durable, handle better the sand, water, and friction from outdoor play.

Why are volley balls different colours?

Tricolour competition balls appeared in the late 1990s to make the ball's rotation more visible, for both players and spectators as well as for TV. Leisure balls often follow this colour scheme.

How to tell if a volley ball is too worn?

A ball that deflates within a few days, whose panels are peeling or whose surface becomes smooth and slippery has reached the end of its life. It no longer maintains a stable trajectory and makes ball control much more difficult.