Olympic Beach Volleyballs Are Bright

olympic beach volleyball player diving for yellow volley ball

The 2007/2008 Official Beach Volleyball Rules determined by the Federation Internationale de Volleyball (FIVB) dictate that the balls be spherical, flexible and uniform within a match. At 66 to 68 cm in circumference and appearing in bright colors, the balls are made of materials that do not absorb humidity.

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High School Volleyballs Governed by NFHS

high school girl attempting to spike with 2 defenders on the opposite side of the net all wearing black official standard equipment volley ball

The National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) has a committee that writes the rules for many high school matches.  The physical specifications of an NFHS ball are very similar to those of an NCAA ball, with the circumference being the only difference.  While any NCAA ball could be used in a NFHS game (if the NFHS authentication markings appear), the reverse may not be true, depending on the actual circumference of the ball.

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Football With a White Stripe for NCAA

top of the football is illuminated with artistic lighting with lighting just on the laces and standard equipment for football football ball

NCAA rules for college football appear to be similar to those used by the NFL. The physical characteristics of each are the same. The differences come in the markings on the surface. The most visible exceptions are that the NCAA requires two one-inch white stripes and prohibits professional football league logos.

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Australian Football League Uses a Symmetrical Oval Shaped Ball

Australian Rules Football Legend yellow Australian football ball standard equipment for Australian football

Australian Football is a sport played between two teams of eighteen players on the field of either an Australian football ground, a modified cricket field, or a similarly sized sports venue. The main way to score points is by kicking the ball between the two tall goal posts. The team with the higher total score at the end of the match wins. 

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FIFA Sets a Standard for Football/Soccer

cleat being tested on 2014 FIFA soccer ball World cup standard football ball/soccer ball

In The Laws of the Game 2008/2009, Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) addresses both the physical qualities of the ball and what to do if a game ball becomes defective. After more than 100 years as an international governing body of association football, they seem to be quite clear on the rules.

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Major League Lacrosse Uses Orange “Grippy” Ball

orange grippy lacrosse ball new equipment standard lacrosse balls for lacrosse games

Major League Lacrosse was founded in 1991 as a professional outdoor lacrosse league.  The current rules include the use of a shot clock and allow for a 2-point goal to be scored.  While the website does not contain specifications for the ball, the history section of the site does offer this interesting information regarding the lacrosse ball.

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A Ball that Feels Like a Rock When it Hits You in the Head

girl getting hit in the head with yellow lacrosse ball with 2 girls standing in the background standard equipment yellow lacrosse ball

Lacrosse is a sport played when people run around hitting each other with sticks and throwing “rocks”, but not just any rocks these are specifically defined by the NCAA! SECTION 16. The ball shall be white, yellow, orange or lime green smooth or slightly textured solid rubber — between 7-3/4 and 8 inches in circumference, between 5 and 5-1/4 ounces in weight and, when dropped from a height of 72 inches upon a concrete floor, shall bounce 43 to 51 inches at a temperature of 65 degrees to 70 degrees Fahrenheit.

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