Five Ways To Choose The Right Basketball Size

Thinking of joining the basketball team in school? Been missing out on great times with friends because you haven't been playing with them as much as you used to? Whatever your reason is for getting back into the game, it is always important to know the kind of gear that you should be using. One of the most important things to think about is what size basketball you should be using around your backyard or court. Here are a few things you can keep in mind when you are choosing the right basketball for you.

• Palm – A basketball is best used if it can fit the size of your palm. This does not mean that you should buy the smallest basketball that you can find. However, you should not buy a basketball that is too large for your hands either. Larger basketballs tend to seem heavier in the hand and therefore if it is bigger than the size of your palm, you won't be able to throw it far. A right-sized basketball can be thrown quite far and it's so much better if you can actually grip the ball using one hand rather than two.

• Check the size – Looking at basketballs and holding them in your hand just might not be enough when you are choosing the right one for you and your friends. Sure you can base your findings on pure instinct and “feel”. But you should get into the technical details of choosing a ball as well. For example, for young boys to men, a ball with the circumference of 29.5 inches is the usual size. Women and younger boys or girls usually use a ball that is an inch smaller. If you find that you are more comfortable using a ball that is meant for women, that is not something that should discourage you from playing. This only means that you have smaller hands. Do not force yourself to play with a ball that you can't handle.

• Court – Another thing to consider is the kind of court that you will be playing in. Will you play in an outdoor court with harder ground? Or an indoor court with a slightly softer, wooden floor? The best balls to use for indoor basketball games are the ones that are made of leather. For outdoor courts, you are better off using the rubber balls.

• Test – There is nothing better than testing out a ball. Go to your local sports goods store and handle a basketball in your hands. Check out the circumference of the ball and bounce it on the ground if you have to. Go with someone else to the store so that you can test-pass the ball with that person. You have to see if you are comfortable throwing the ball as well as catching it.

• Brand – Lastly, you might want to consider the brand of the ball that you buy. You can check out your favorite NBA teams and see if they use Spalding or Wilson-branded balls. This is a great way to get a ball because you are using what the professionals use as well.