{{Short description|Round object}} {{for2|the event|Ball (dance event)|other uses}} {{pp-semi-indef}} {{pp-move}} {{use mdy dates|date=May 2024}} {{Multiple image | image1 = Many balls.jpg | image2 = Ball, പന്ത്.JPG | total_width = 400 | footer = Group of balls }} A '''ball''' is a round object (usually spherical, but sometimes ovoid).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=gpZx5wQbxvMC&q=spherical+or+ovoid+ball&pg=PA404|title=Code of Federal Regulations: 1985–1999|date=5 November 1999|publisher=U.S. General Services Administration, National Archives and Records Service, Office of the Federal Register|access-date=5 November 2017|via=Google Books|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171107021013/https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=gpZx5wQbxvMC&pg=PA404&dq=spherical+or+ovoid+ball&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwi-r96o96fXAhXEDsAKHTKcAr4QuwUIKDAA|archive-date=7 November 2017}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=ball_1 noun - Definition, pictures, pronunciation and usage notes {{!}} Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary at OxfordLearnersDictionaries.com |url=http://www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com:80/us/definition/english/ball_1?q=ball |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170315041630/http://www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com:80/us/definition/english/ball_1?q=ball |archive-date=2017-03-15 |access-date=2025-11-19 |website=www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-11-19 |title=Definition of BALL |url=https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ball |access-date=2025-11-19 |website=www.merriam-webster.com |language=en}}</ref> Balls can have several uses. For example they are used in ball games, where the play of the game follows the state of the ball as it is hit, kicked or thrown by players. Balls can also be used for simpler activities, such as catch or juggling. Balls made from hard-wearing materials are used in engineering applications to provide very low friction bearings, known as ball bearings. Black-powder weapons use stone and metal balls as projectiles.
Although many types of balls are today made from rubber, this form was unknown outside the Americas until after the voyages of Columbus. The Spanish were the first Europeans to see the bouncing rubber balls (although solid and not inflated) which were employed most notably in the Mesoamerican ballgame. Balls used in various sports in other parts of the world prior to Columbus were made from other materials such as animal bladders or skins, stuffed with various materials.
As balls are one of the most familiar spherical objects to humans, the word "ball" may refer to or describe spherical or near-spherical objects. "Ball" is used metaphorically sometimes to denote something spherical or spheroid, e.g., armadillos and human beings curl up into a ball, or making a fist into a ball.
== Etymology == The first known use of the word ''ball'' in English in the sense of a globular body that is played with was in 1205 in ''Layamon's Brut, or Chronicle of Britain'' in the phrase, "{{lang|la|Summe heo driuen balles wide ȝeond Þa feldes.}}" ("Some of them drove balls far across the fields.") The word came from the Middle English ''bal'' (inflected as ''ball-e, -es''), in turn from Old Norse ''böllr'' (pronounced {{IPA|non|bɔlːr|}}; compare Old Swedish ''baller'', and Swedish ''boll'') from Proto-Germanic ''ballu-z'' (whence probably Middle High German ''bal, ball-es'', Middle Dutch ''bal''), a cognate with Old High German ''ballo, pallo'', Middle High German balle from Proto-Germanic ''*ballon'' (weak masculine), and Old High German ''ballâ, pallâ'', Middle High German ''balle'', Proto-Germanic ''*ballôn'' (weak feminine). No Old English cognate of any of these is known. (The hypothetical corresponding forms in Old English would have been ''beallu, -a, -e''—compare ''bealluc, ballock''.) If ''ball-'' was native in Germanic, it may have been a cognate with the Latin ''foll-is'' in sense of a "thing blown up or inflated." In the later Middle English spelling ''balle'' the word coincided graphically with the French ''balle'' "ball" and "bale" which has hence been erroneously assumed to be its source. French ''balle'' (but not ''boule'') is assumed to be of Germanic origin, itself, however. In Ancient Greek the word πάλλα (''palla'') for "ball" is attested<ref>[https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.04.0057%3Aentry%3Dpa%2Flla&highlight=ball πάλλα] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924204511/http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus:text:1999.04.0057:entry=pa%2Flla&highlight=ball |date=2015-09-24 }}, Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, ''A Greek-English Lexicon'', on Perseus</ref> besides the word σφαίρα (''sfaíra''), ''sphere''.<ref>[https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.04.0057%3Aentry%3Dsfai%3Dra^&highlight=ball σφαίρα] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170320052243/http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus:text:1999.04.0057:entry%3Dsfai%3Dra%5E&highlight=ball |date=2017-03-20 }}, Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, ''A Greek-English Lexicon'', on Perseus</ref>
==History== [[File:Russian balls 12-13.jpg|thumb|Russian leather balls ({{Langx|ru|мячи}}), 12th-13th century.]] Some form of game with a ball is found portrayed on Egyptian monuments.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Egypt State Information Service |title=Ancient Egyptian Sport |url=https://www.sis.gov.eg/section/10/733?lang=en-us |access-date=2024-05-27 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231121143629/https://www.sis.gov.eg/section/10/733 | archive-date=November 21, 2023}}</ref> In Homer, Nausicaa was playing at ball with her maidens when Odysseus first saw her in the land of the Phaeacians (Od. vi. 100). And Halios and Laodamas performed before Alcinous and Odysseus with ball play, accompanied with dancing (Od. viii. 370).<ref name="eb1911"/> The most ancient balls in Eurasia have been discovered in Karasahr, China and are 3000 years old. They were made of hair-filled leather.<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/leather-balls-point-ancient-chinese-sport-180976102/|title=These Hair-Filled Leather Pouches Are the Oldest Balls Found in Eurasia|last=Gershon|first=Livia|date=October 21, 2020|website=www.smithsonianmag.com|publisher=Smithsonian Institution|access-date=November 2, 2020}}</ref>
===Ancient Greeks=== Among the ancient Greeks, games with balls (σφαῖραι) were regarded as a useful subsidiary to the more violent athletic exercises, as a means of keeping the body supple, and rendering it graceful, but were generally left to boys and girls. Of regular rules for the playing of ball games, little trace remains, if there were any such. The names in Greek for various forms, which have come down to us in such works as the Ὀνομαστικόν of Julius Pollux, imply little or nothing of such; thus, ἀπόρραξις (''aporraxis'') only means the putting of the ball on the ground with the open hand, οὐρανία (''ourania''), the flinging of the ball in the air to be caught by two or more players; φαινίνδα (''phaininda'') would seem to be a game of catch played by two or more, where feinting is used as a test of quickness and skill. Pollux (i. x. 104) mentions a game called episkyros (ἐπίσκυρος), which has often been looked on as the origin of football. It seems to have been played by two sides, arranged in lines; how far there was any form of "goal" seems uncertain.<ref name="eb1911">{{Cite EB1911|wstitle=Ball}}</ref> It was impossible to produce a ball that was perfectly spherical;<ref name="Garland2008">{{cite book|last=Garland|first=Robert|date=2008|title=Ancient Greece: Everyday Life in the Birthplace of Western Civilization|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=-R1PmAEACAAJ&q=Ancient+Greece:+Everyday+Life+in+the+Birthplace+of+Western+Civilization|publisher=Sterling|location=New York City, New York|isbn=978-1-4549-0908-8|page=96}}</ref> children usually made their own balls by inflating pig's bladders and heating them in the ashes of a fire to make them rounder,<ref name="Garland2008"/> although Plato (fl. 420s BC – 340s BC) described "balls which have leather coverings in twelve pieces".<ref>{{cite book | author = Plato | author-link = Plato | editor = Charles W. Eliot | translator = Benjamin Jowett | title = The Apology, Phædo and Crito of Plato – The Golden Sayings of Epictetus – The Meditations of Marcus Aurelius | chapter-url = https://archive.org/details/harvardclassics002elio/page/107 | access-date = May 16, 2020 | edition = 1st | series = The Harvard Classics | volume = 2 | year = 1909 | publisher = P. F. Collier and Son | location = New York | page = 107 | chapter = Phædo (Dialogues of Plato) }}</ref>
===Ancient Romans=== Among the Romans, ball games were looked upon as an adjunct to the bath, and were graduated to the age and health of the bathers, and usually a place (sphaeristerium) was set apart for them in the baths (thermae). There appear to have been three types or sizes of ball, the pila, or small ball, used in catching games, the paganica, a heavy ball stuffed with feathers, and the follis, a leather ball filled with air, the largest of the three. This was struck from player to player, who wore a kind of gauntlet on the arm. There was a game known as trigon, played by three players standing in the form of a triangle, and played with the follis, and also one known as harpastum, which seems to imply a "scrimmage" among several players for the ball. These games are known to us through the Romans, though the names are Greek.<ref name="eb1911"/>
===Modern ball games=== The various modern games played with a ball or balls and subject to rules are treated under their various names, such as polo, cricket, football, etc.<ref name="eb1911"/>
==Physics== In sports, many modern balls are pressurized. Some are pressurized at the factory (e.g. tennis, squash) and others are pressurized by users (e.g. volleyball, basketball, football). Almost all pressurized balls gradually leak air. If the ball is factory pressurized, there is usually a rule about whether the ball retains sufficient pressure to remain playable.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2015-08-10 |title=Preparing the Footballs for NFL Games {{!}} NFL Football Operations |url=https://operations.nfl.com/updates/the-game/preparing-the-footballs-for-nfl-games/ |access-date=2023-11-01 |website=operations.nfl.com |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=LaCombe |first=Ronnie |title=How much air can fit in a basketball? |url=https://www.columbiatribune.com/story/lifestyle/family/2018/04/03/how-much-air-can-fit/985314007/ |access-date=2023-11-02 |website=Columbia Daily Tribune |language=en-US}}</ref> Depressurized balls lack bounce and are often termed "dead". In extreme cases, a dead ball becomes flaccid. If the ball is pressured on use, there are generally rules about how the ball is pressurized before the match, and when (or whether) the ball can be repressurized or replaced.
Due to the ideal gas law, ball pressure is a function of temperature, generally tracking ambient conditions. Softer balls that are struck hard (especially squash balls) increase in temperature due to inelastic collision.
On the contrary, in certain sports ball is solid, some with uniform material (e.g. most hockey variations, lacrosse), others with different layered materials (e.g. baseball, cricket). Finally, some sports use hollow ones (e.g. sepaktakraw, pickleball, floorball). <gallery mode="packed" caption="Cross section of sport balls"> File:Cmglee tennis ball interior.jpg|Tennis File:Golfballinsiderp.jpg|Golf File:Baseball center comparison.jpg|Baseball </gallery> In outdoor sports, wet balls play differently than dry balls. In indoor sports, balls may become damp due to hand sweat. Any form of humidity or dampness will affect a ball's surface friction, which will alter a player's ability to impart spin on the ball. The action required to apply spin to a ball is governed by the physics of angular momentum. Spinning balls travelling through air (technically a fluid) will experience the Magnus effect, which can produce lateral deflections in addition to the normal up-down curvature induced by a combination of wind resistance and gravity. == Specifications == {{Sticky table start}} {{sticky header}} {| class="wikitable sticky-header" |+ !Sport !Regulated by !Type !Shape !Circumference !Diameter !Weight !Pressure !Bounce !Material !Image |- | colspan="11" |'''Bat and ball sports''' |- |Baseball<ref>{{Cite web |title=OFFICIAL RULES OF BASEBALL, 2025-2026 |url=https://static.wbsc.org/uploads/federations/0/cms/documents/d3d36a7c-4a8a-1cca-adc1-d4edff1efc30.pdf}}</ref> | rowspan="3" |WBSC | rowspan="2" |Solid | rowspan="3" |Sphere |{{Convert|9-9.25|in|cm}} | - |{{Convert|5-5.25|oz|g}} | - | | * cork or rubber (core) * yarn * white horsehide or cowhide (case) |100px |- |Softball<ref>{{Cite web |title=Official rules of Softball - Fast pitch 2026-2029 |url=https://static.wbsc.org/uploads/federations/0/cms/documents/c4423d39-179f-04ec-9054-99f919b1f85b.pdf}}</ref> |{{Convert|11.875-12.125|in|cm}} | - |{{Convert|6.25-7|oz|g}} | - |0.47 e | * long fiber kapok, mixture of cork and rubber or polyurethane mixture (core) * twisted yarn and covered with latex or rubber cement * horsehide or cowhide (case) |100px |- |Baseball5<ref>{{Cite web |title=Official WBSC Baseball5 Rulebook |url=https://staging.cms.baseball.com.au/app/uploads/2019/10/Baseball5_Rulebook_20191.pdf}}</ref> |Filled with air, non inflatable |20.84 centimeters |6.64 centimeters |84,8 grams |{{Convert|7.99|kgf}} (to press the ball into the center of inside by 30%) |76 centimeters (from 150 centimeters in height, drop to marble floor) |natural rubber | |- |Pêl-Fas |IBB<ref>{{Cite web |title=Laws of the game |url=http://englishbaseball.weebly.com/laws-of-the-game.html |access-date=2025-06-30 |website=ENGLISH BASEBALL ASSOCIATION}}</ref> |Solid |Sphere |{{Convert|8.5-9|in|cm}} | - |{{Convert|4.5-5|oz|g}} | | | |frameless|100x100px |- |Pesäpallo |Finnish Pesäpallo Association<ref>{{Cite web |title=PELISÄÄNNÖT, PESÄPALLON PERUSTEOS |url=https://www.datocms-assets.com/115766/1731452016-pesapallon-pelisaannot-2025.pdf}}</ref> |Solid |Sphere |{{convert|21.6 - 22.2|cm|in}} | - |{{convert|160–165|g|oz}} | | | |frameless|100x100px |- |Cricket |ICC<ref>{{Cite web |title=ICC MEN'S TEST MATCH PLAYING CONDITIONS |url=https://images.icc-cricket.com/image/upload/prd/lm8owaz03i86m1eneb7m.pdf?_gl=1*1gu8gb9*_gcl_au*MTMxMzk2OTA0MS4xNzUxMzA0MjMz}}</ref> |Solid |Sphere |{{Convert|8.81-9|in|cm}} | - |{{Convert|5.5-5.75|oz|g}} | - | | |100px |- |Oină |Romanian Oină Federation<ref>{{Cite web |title=Regulamente – FEDERATIA ROMANA DE OINA |url=https://froina.ro/regulament/ |access-date=2025-06-30 |language=ro-RO}}</ref> |Solid |Sphere |24 centimeters |8 centimeters |140 grams | | | * livestock hair * leather (case) | |- |Schlagball<ref>{{Cite web |title=Regeln – Aktuell |url=http://www.schlagball.org/regeln-aktuell/}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Modern rules of Schlagball - Protoball |url=https://protoball.org/Modern_rules_of_Schlagball |access-date=2025-08-08 |website=protoball.org}}</ref> | |Filled with air, non inflatable |Sphere |19-21 centimeters | - |70-85 grams | - | |red leather covered | |- |Stoolball |Stoolball England<ref>{{Cite web |title=Rules of stoolball – Stoolball England |url=https://www.stoolball.org.uk/rules/rules-of-stoolball/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250430160335/https://www.stoolball.org.uk/rules/rules-of-stoolball/ |archive-date=2025-04-30 |access-date=2025-06-27 |website=www.stoolball.org.uk}}</ref> |Solid |Sphere |{{Convert|7-7.5|in|cm}} | - |{{Convert|2.5-3|oz|g}} | | | | |- | colspan="11" |'''Boules''' |- |Boccia |BISFed<ref>{{Cite web |title=World Boccia International Boccia Rules 2025 - 2028 – v.1.1 |url=https://www.worldboccia.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/World-Boccia-Rules-2025-2028-v1.1-.pdf}}</ref> |Solid |Sphere |26.2-27.8 cm | - |263-287 grams | - | |vinyl, polyurethane fabric, leather, synthetic leather, suede |frameless|100x100px |- |Bocce volo (bowl)<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Règlement Technique International Édition 2024 |url=http://www.fiboules.org/project/resources/apps/rti-2024-fra.pdf}}</ref> | rowspan="6" |WPBF | rowspan="6" |Solid | rowspan="6" |Sphere | rowspan="2" | - |8.9-11.1 centimeters |900-1200 grams | rowspan="2" | - | |metal or synthetic |frameless|101x101px |- |Bocce volo (jack)<ref name=":0" /> |3.5-3.7 centimeters |23-27 grams | |wood | |- |Petanque (boule)<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |title=OFFICIAL RULES FOR THE SPORT OF PÉTANQUE |url=https://fipjp.org/images/2021/reglements/Official_Rules_Petanque-En.pdf}}</ref> | rowspan="2" | - |7.05-8 centimeters |650-800 grams | rowspan="2" | - | |metal | rowspan="2" |frameless|100x100px |- |Petanque (jack)<ref name=":2" /> |2.9-3.1 centimeters |10-18 grams | |wood or synthetic |- |Raffa (bowl)<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |title=TECHNICAL RULES OF THE GAME |url=https://cbi-prv.org/multimedia/TechnicalRules16062024.pdf}}</ref> | rowspan="2" | - |10.55-10.75 centimeters |895-925 grams | rowspan="2" | - | | rowspan="2" |synthetic | |- |Raffa (pallino)<ref name=":3" /> |3.9-4.1 centimeters |83-97 grams | | |- | colspan="11" |'''Cue sports''' |- |Carom<ref>{{Cite web |title=WORLD RULES OF CAROM BILLIARD |url=https://files.umb-carom.org/Public/Rules/CAROM%20BILLIARD%20RULES.pdf}}</ref> | rowspan="3" |WCBS | rowspan="3" |Solid | rowspan="3" |Sphere | - |6.1-6.15 centimeters |205-220 grams | - | | |100px |- |Pool<ref>{{Cite web |title=RECOMMENDED EQUIPMENT SPECIFICATIONS |url=https://wpapool.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/RECOMMENDED-EQUIPMENT-SPECIFICATIONS.pdf}}</ref> | - |{{Convert|2.25-2.3|in|cm}} |{{Convert|5.5-6|oz|g}} | - | |cast phenolic resin plastic |100px |- |Snooker<ref>{{Cite web |title=OFFICIAL RULES OF THE GAMES OF SNOOKER AND ENGLISH BILLIARDS |url=https://wpbsa.com/wp-content/uploads/2198_WPBSA-Rulebook-2024-25.pdf}}</ref> | - |5.2-5.3 centimeters | - | - | | |100px |- | colspan="11" |'''Football codes''' |- |American |IFAF<ref>{{Cite web |title=FOOTBALL RULES AND INTERPRETATIONS 2023 EDITION |url=https://americanfootball.sport/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/ifafrules.pdf}}</ref> | rowspan="2" |Inflatable | rowspan="2" |Lemon<ref>{{Cite web |last=Weisstein |first=Eric W. |title=Lemon Surface |url=https://mathworld.wolfram.com/LemonSurface.html |access-date=2024-10-31 |website=mathworld.wolfram.com |language=en}}</ref> |{{Convert|28-28.5|in|cm}} (longitudinal) × {{Convert|21-21.25|in|cm}} (transversal) |{{Convert|11-11.25|in|cm}} (longitudinal) | rowspan="2" |{{Convert|14-15|oz|g}} | rowspan="2" |{{Convert|12.5-13.5|psi}} | |urethane (bladder), case (leather) |100px |- |Canadian |Football Canada<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Canadian Amateur Rule Book for Tackle Football 2025-2026 |url=https://footballcanada.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/2025-Tackle-Rulebook-English.pdf}}</ref> |{{Convert|27.75-28.5|in|cm}} (longitudinal) {{Convert|20.75-21.375|in|cm}} (transversal) |{{Convert|10.875-11.4375|in|cm}} (longitudinal) {{Convert|6.25-6.75|in|cm}} (transversal) | | |frameless|100x100px |- |Soccer<ref>{{Cite web |title=Laws of the Game 25/26 |url=https://downloads.theifab.com/downloads/laws-of-the-game-2025-26-double-pages?l=en}}</ref> | rowspan="3" |FIFA | rowspan="3" |Inflatable | rowspan="3" |Sphere |{{Convert|27-28|in|cm}} | - |{{Convert|14-16|oz|g}} |{{Convert|8.5-15.6|psi}} | - | - |100px |- |Beach soccer<ref>{{Cite web |title=Beach Soccer Laws of the Game 2024-25 |url=https://digitalhub.fifa.com/m/1bc7152f961f99b6/original/Beach-Soccer-Laws-of-the-Game-2024-2025.pdf}}</ref> |68-70 centimeters | - | rowspan="2" |400-440 grams |{{Convert|0.4-0.6|atm}} | - | - |100px |- |Futsal<ref>{{Cite web |title=Futsal LAWS OF THE GAME 2025-26 |url=https://digitalhub.fifa.com/m/20d52e6779b53321/original/FUTSAL-Laws-of-the-Game-2025-2026.pdf}}</ref> |62-64 centimeters | - |{{Convert|0.6-0.9|atm}} |50-65 centimeters on the first rebound when dropped from a height of 2 meters | - |frameless|100x100px |- |Australian rules |AFL Commission<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://resources.afl.com.au/afl/document/2025/03/21/19a8bff6-8f49-45b9-b686-83a64db02fe0/LEGAL_2025_150532_Laws-of-the-Game_Booklet_Digital_FA.pdf|title=Laws of Australian Football 2025}}</ref> |Inflatable |Prolate spheroid |72 – 73 cm (elliptic) × 54.5 -55.5 cm (circular) | - | - |69 kilopascals | | - |100px |- |Gaelic and International rules |GAA<ref>{{Cite web |title=OFFICIAL GUIDE - PART 2 |url=https://www.gaa.ie/api/images/image/upload/t_q-best/prd/ux74p4f8n5ywzz3rb3fi.pdf}}</ref> |Inflatable |Sphere |68-70 centimeters | - |480-500 grams | {{Convert|9-10|psi}} |0.5222-0.576 e when dropped from 1.8 meters | - |100px |- |Rugby league |IRL<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.internationalrugbyleague.com/uploads/docs/International_Rugby_League_Laws_of_the_Game.pdf|title=2026 International Laws of the Game}}</ref> | rowspan="2" |Inflatable | rowspan="2" |Prolate spheroid | | | | | |leather |100px |- |Rugby union |World Rugby<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://passport.world.rugby/media/jxrnmptk/2026en-laws-of-the-game-compressed.pdf|title=Laws of the game Rugby Union 2026}}</ref> |74 - 77 centimeters (elliptic) × 58 - 62 centimeters (circular) |28-30 centimeters (longitudinal) |410 - 460 grams |{{Convert|9.5-10|psi}} | |leather or synthetic material |100px |- | colspan="11" |'''Handball''' |- |Indoor (with resine) | rowspan="3" |IHF<ref>{{Cite web |title=XIII. Technical Regulations a) Ball Regulations Edition: 21 December 2025|url=https://www.ihf.info/sites/default/files/2026-02/13A%20-%20Ball%20Regulations_E.pdf}}</ref> | rowspan="3" |Inflatable | rowspan="3" |Sphere |58-60 centimeters | - |425-475 grams | | | rowspan="2" |leather or synthetic | rowspan="2" |100px |- |Indoor (without resine) |55.5-57.5 centimeters | - |400-425 grams | | |- |Beach<ref>{{Cite web |title=IX. Rules of the Game b) Beach Handball |url=https://www.ihf.info/sites/default/files/2022-02/09B%20-%20Rules%20of%20the%20Game_Beach%20Handball_E.pdf}}</ref> |54-56 centimeters | - |350-370 grams | | |rubber |frameless|100x100px |- | colspan="11" |'''Hockey''' |- |Ball hockey |ISBHF<ref>{{Cite web |title=INTERNATIONAL STREET & BALL HOCKEY FEDERATION, RULEBOOK 2025 VERSION |url=https://www.isbhf.com/data/redactor/ISBHF%20Rulebook%202025.pdf}}</ref> | |Sphere | - |6.6-7 centimeters |60-77 grams | | | | |- |Bandy and Rink bandy |FIB<ref>{{Cite web |title=BANDY PLAYING RULES |url=https://worldbandy.com/wp-content/uploads/dlm_uploads/2024/12/FIB-OFFICIAL-RULE-BOOK-2023-2024.pdf}}</ref> |Solid |Sphere | - |6.1-6.5 centimeters |60-65 grams | - |15-30 centimeters on ice dropped from height of 1.5 meters | - |100px |- |Field<ref>{{Cite web |title=Rules of Hockey, Effective from 1 January 2022 |url=https://www.fih.hockey/static-assets/pdf/fih-rules-of-hockey-June23-update.pdf}}</ref> and indoor<ref>{{Cite web |title=Rules of Indoor Hockey, Effective from 1 December 2023 |url=https://www.fih.hockey/static-assets/pdf/fih-rules-of-indoor-hockey-2023.pdf}}</ref> | rowspan="2" |FIH |Solid | rowspan="2" |Sphere |22.4-23.5 centimeters | - |156-163 grams | - | | - |frameless|100x100px |- |Beach<ref>{{Cite web |title=Rules of Beach Hockey, Effective from 1 June 2024 |url=https://www.fih.hockey/static-assets/pdf/beach-hockey-rules-2024.pdf}}</ref> | |45 centimeters | - |140-250 grams | - | | - | |- |Floorball |IFF<ref>{{Cite web |title=MATERIAL REGULATIONS |url=https://archive.floorball.sport/cloudfront/2024/06/Material-Regulations-SPCR011_2024_Final.pdf}}</ref> |Hollow |Sphere | - |7.1-7.3 centimeters |22-24 grams | - |74-84 centimeters | |frameless|103x103px |- |Roller |World Skate<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=Worldskate - Skateboarding & Roller Sports - Regulations - Regulation |url=https://www.worldskate.org/rink-hockey/about/regulations.html |access-date=2025-08-28 |website=www.worldskate.org}}</ref> |Solid |Sphere | - |7.2 centimeters |145-155 grams | - | |pressed rubber/plastic |100px |- | colspan="11" |'''Lacrosse''' |- |Field<ref>{{Cite web |title=2025-2027, Men's Field Lacrosse, Official Playing Rules, January 2025 – Version 1.0 |url=https://worldlacrosse.sport/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/WL_Mens-Rules_25-27_FINAL.pdf}}</ref> and Box<ref>{{Cite web |title=2026-2028 Box lacrosse official playing rules January 2026 Version 1.0 |url=https://worldlacrosse.sport/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/WL-26-28-Box-Rule-Book_Feb26.pdf}}</ref> | rowspan="3" |World Lacrosse | rowspan="3" |Solid | rowspan="3" |Sphere |{{Convert|7.75-8|in|cm}} | - |{{Convert|5-5.25|oz|g}} | - |{{Convert|45-49|in|cm}} on wooden floor from height of {{Convert|72|in|cm}} |rubber |100px |- |Sixes<ref>{{Cite web |title=2026-2028 Sixes lacrosse official playing rules January 2026 Version 1.0 |url=https://worldlacrosse.sport/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/WL-26-28-Sixes-Rule-Book_Feb26.pdf}}</ref> |19.7-20.3 centimeters | - | - | - | | rowspan="2" |elastomeric | |- |Women<ref>{{Cite web |title=2025-2026 WOMEN'S FIELD LACROSSE OFFICIAL PLAYING RULES, VERSION 1.1 // JANUARY 2025 |url=https://worldlacrosse.sport/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/2025_2026-WF-Rulebook_FINALv1.1-1.pdf}}</ref> |20-20.3 centimeters | - |142-149 grams | - |1.1-1.3 meters on wooden floor dropped from height of 1.8 meters | |- |Intercrosse<ref>{{Cite web |title=Tips & Tricks - Rules |url=https://intercrosse.net/pils/tipsntricks/rules/rulebook_eng.htm |access-date=2025-08-28 |website=intercrosse.net}}</ref> | | |Sphere |23-25 centimeters | - |80-100 grams | - | |rubber | |- | colspan="11" |'''Polo''' |- |Polo<ref>{{Cite web |last=Johnson |first=Storm |title=Blue Book |url=https://hpa-polo.co.uk/blue-book/ |access-date=2025-10-30 |website=HPA Polo UK |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-12-30 |title=2026 USPA Rulebook |url=https://issuu.com/uspoloassociation/docs/2026_uspa_rulebook |access-date=2025-10-30 |website=Issuu |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=AAP Reglas de Juego |url=https://www.aapolo.com/bundles/web/files/AAP%20-%20Reglas%20de%20juego%20y%20codigo%20de%20faltas-2025.pdf}}</ref> | rowspan="2" |FIP |Solid | rowspan="2" |Sphere | - |{{Convert|3-3.5|in|cm}} |{{Convert|3.5-4.75|oz|g}} | - | | |frameless|100x100px |- |Arena<ref>{{Cite web |last=Johnson |first=Storm |title=Green Book |url=https://hpa-polo.co.uk/green-book/ |access-date=2025-10-30 |website=HPA Polo UK |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=ARENA RULES |url=https://d3uxdg7queknzi.cloudfront.net/assets/pdf/2025-2026-Arena-Rules.pdf}}</ref> | |{{Convert|12.5-16.5|in|cm}} | - |130-182 grams | |from {{Convert|9|ft}} on concrete at {{Convert|70|F}}, {{Convert|54-64|in|cm}} rebound | |frameless|100x100px |- | colspan="11" |'''Racquet sports''' |- |Pickleball<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-08-24 |title=WPF Rule Book - World Pickleball Federation |url=https://www.worldpickleballfederation.org/wpf-rule-book/ |access-date=2025-08-27 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Rulebook |url=https://theipf.org/rulebook.html |access-date=2025-08-27 |website=theipf.org}}</ref> |Multiple |Hollow |Sphere | - |{{convert|2.87|and|2.97|in}} |{{convert|.78|and|.935|oz}} | | {{convert|30|to|34|in}} when dropped from a height of {{convert|78|in}} | Molded material with a smooth surface with between 26 and 40 evenly spaced circular holes |100px |- |Squash |WSF<ref>{{Cite web |title=Specifications for Squash Balls |url=https://www.worldsquash.sport/rackets-balls/racket-ball-specifications/}}</ref> |Filled with air, non inflatable |Sphere | - |3.95-4.05 centimeters |23-25 grams | | | - |100px |- |Table tennis |ITTF<ref>{{Cite web |title=The International Table Tennis Federation, Statutes 2025 (effective 1st January 2025) |url=https://documents.ittf.sport/sites/default/files/public/2025-02/2025_ITTF_Statutes_clean_version.pdf}}</ref> |Filled with air, non inflatable |Sphere | - |4 centimeters |2.7 grams | - | |plastic |100px |- |Tennis |ITF<ref>{{Cite web |title=2026 ITF RULES OF TENNIS |url=https://www.itftennis.com/media/7221/2026-rules-of-tennis-english.pdf}}</ref> |Filled with air, non inflatable |Sphere | - |{{Convert|6.54-6.86|cm|in}} |{{Convert|56-59.4|g|oz}} |{{Convert|1|psi}} |{{Convert|54-60|in|cm}} | |100px |- | colspan="11" |'''Volleyball''' |- |Volleyball<ref>{{Cite web |title=OFFICIAL VOLLEYBALL RULES 2025-2028 |url=https://www.fivb.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/FIVB-Volleyball_Rules2025_2028-EN-v05.pdf}}</ref> | rowspan="2" |FIVB | rowspan="2" |Inflatable | rowspan="2" |Sphere |65-67 centimeters | - | rowspan="2" |260 - 280 grams |{{Convert|4.26-4.61|psi}} | | rowspan="2" |rubber (bladder), leather or synthetic leather (case) |100px |- |Beach<ref>{{Cite web |title=OFFICIAL BEACH VOLLEYBALL RULES 2025-2028 |url=https://www.fivb.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/FIVB-BeachVolleyball_Rules2025_2028-EN-v01.pdf}}</ref> and Snow<ref>{{Cite web |title=OFFICIAL SNOW VOLLEYBALL RULES 2021-2024 |url=https://www.fivb.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/FIVB-SnowVolleyball_Rules2021_2024-EN.pdf}}</ref> |66-68 centimeters | - |17.1-22.1 kilopascals | |100px |- | colspan="11" |'''Other''' |- |Basketball |FIBA<ref>{{Cite web |title=2024 Official Basketball Rules |url=https://assets.fiba.basketball/image/upload/documents-corporate-fiba-official-rules-2024-official-basketball-rules-and-basketball-equipment.pdf}}</ref> |Inflatable |Sphere |75-77 centimeters | - |580-620 grams | |1.035-1.085 meters dropped from height of 1.8 meters |leather, artificial/composite/synthetic leather |100px |- |Bowling<ref name=USBCgripping20140507>{{cite web |last1=Wiseman |first1=Lucas |author2=United States Bowling Congress (USBC) |title=USBC Modifies Rule on Bowling Ball Gripping holes |url=https://www.bowl.com/News/NewsDetails.aspx?id=23622321723 |website=bowl.com (United States Bowling Congress, USBC) |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170707095658/https://www.bowl.com/News/NewsDetails.aspx?id=23622321723 |archive-date=July 7, 2017 |date=May 7, 2014 |url-status=live }}</ref> |IBF |Solid |Sphere |{{Convert|26.704-27.002|in|cm}} |{{Convert|8.5-8.595|in|cm}} |{{Convert|16|lb|g}} | - | |non-metallic |frameless|100x100px |- |Cycle ball |UCI<ref>{{Cite web |title=PART 8 INDOOR CYCLING Version 01.01.26|url=https://assets.ctfassets.net/761l7gh5x5an/5sjOY2mlHAD9cuaRr1KrKd/c0aee1234992a5eca3846e477ae9256c/PART_8_E_-_As_of_01.02.2026.pdf}}</ref> | |Sphere | - |17-18 centimeters |500-600 grams | - | |textile (case) |100px |- |Dodgeball |WDA<ref>{{Cite web |title=RULES |url=https://www.dodgeball.sport/learn}}</ref> |Inflatable |Sphere | - |{{Convert|7|in|cm}} | |{{Convert|1.6-1.8|psi|bar}} | |textile (case) | |- |Fistball |IFA<ref>{{Cite web |title=Fistball - Rules of the Game |url=https://ifafistball.sharepoint.com/sites/public/Freigegebene%20Dokumente/Forms/AllItems.aspx?viewid=d976892a%2Deba4%2D4dab%2D9587%2D83c191633b5d&id=%2Fsites%2Fpublic%2FFreigegebene%20Dokumente%2FDocuments%2FSport%2FRules%20of%20the%20Game%2FFistball%20%2D%20Rules%20of%20the%20Game%2F03%5FIFA%2DRules%2Dof%2Dthe%2DGame%2D2025%2Epdf&parent=%2Fsites%2Fpublic%2FFreigegebene%20Dokumente%2FDocuments%2FSport%2FRules%20of%20the%20Game%2FFistball%20%2D%20Rules%20of%20the%20Game}}</ref> |Inflatable |Sphere |65-68 centimeters | - |340-360 grams |{{Convert|0.55-0.7|bar}} | | | |- |Gaelic games |GAA<ref>{{Cite web |title=OFFICIAL GUIDE - PART 2 |url=https://www.gaa.ie/api/images/image/upload/t_q-best/prd/ux74p4f8n5ywzz3rb3fi.pdf}}</ref> |Solid |Sphere | - |{{Convert|69-72|mm|in}} |110-116 grams | - | |leather (case) |frameless|100x100px |- |Goalball |IBSA<ref>{{Cite web |title=INTERNATIONAL BLIND SPORTS FEDERATION GOALBALL RULES AND REGULATIONS 2025 |url=https://fileservice.aifdigitalsolutions.com/ibsa/2025-IBSA-Goalball-Rules-and-Regulations-v2_20250723080551938.pdf}}</ref> |Hollow |Sphere |75.5-78.5 centimeters |24-25 centimeters |1200-1300 grams | | |natural rubber with internal bells | |- |Golf<ref>{{Cite web |title=The R&A |url=https://www.randa.org/en/roe/the-rules-of-equipment/part-4-conformance-of-balls |access-date=2025-10-30 |website=R&A |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=The Equipment Rules |url=https://www.usga.org/equipment-standards/equipment-rules-2019/equipment-rules/equipment-rules.html#!ruletype=er§ion=rule&partnum=1&rulenum=1}}</ref> |IGF |Solid |Sphere | - |{{Convert|1.68|in|cm}} |{{Convert|1.62|oz|g}} | - | |elastomeric material |100px |- |Korfball |IKF<ref>{{Cite web |title=THE RULES OF KORFBALL |url=https://korfball.sport/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/The-Rules-of-Korfball-2025.pdf}}</ref> |Inflatable |Sphere |68-70.5 centimeters | - |445-475 grams | |110-130 centimeters (from 180 centimeters in height) | | |- |Netball |World Netball<ref>{{Cite web |title=RULES OF NETBALL 2024 EDITION |url=https://netball.sport/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/World-Netball-Rules-Book-2024.pdf}}</ref> |Inflatable |Sphere |{{Convert|27-28|in|cm}} | - |{{Convert|14-16|oz|g}} | | |leather, rubber or synthetic material. | |- |Rhythmic gymnastics |World Gymnastics<ref>{{Cite web |title=FIG APPARATUS NORMS Edition 2023 |url=https://www.gymnastics.sport/publicdir/rules/files/en_Apparatus%20Norms.pdf}}</ref> | |Sphere |56.5-62.8 centimeters |18-20 centimeters |400 grams minimum | | |Rubber or soft plastic | |- |Sepaktakraw |ISTAF<ref>{{Cite web |title=ISTAF Law 0f The Game, 2024 |url=https://img1.wsimg.com/blobby/go/b28abe2b-c8e0-4c25-b6ac-d2655417c6c3/Law%20of%20the%20Game%202024%20-%20Regu%20-.pdf}}</ref> |Hollow |Sphere |41-43 centimeters | - |170-180 grams | - | |woven synthetic fiber |100x100px |- |Shinty |Camanachd Association<ref>{{Cite web |title=CAMANACHD ASSOCIATION BYELAW 1 2024 |url=https://shinty.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/BYELAW-1-2024-2.pdf}}</ref> |Solid |Sphere |{{Convert|7.5-8|in|cm}} | - |{{Convert|2.5-3|oz|g}} | - | | *cork or rubber (core) * worted * leather or leather-like (case) | |- |Tchoukball |FITB<ref>{{Cite web |title=Regulations |url=https://fitb.org/regulations/7-rules/8-tchoukball-rules |access-date=2025-09-01 |website=fitb.org}}</ref> |Inflatable |Sphere |58-60 centimeters | - |425-475 grams | | | | |- |Teqball |FITEQ<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Official Rules and Regulations of Teqball |url=https://cdn.buttercms.com/YBHXKq7GTv2wXkTVQbNC}}</ref> |Inflatable |Sphere |67-69 centimeter | - |370-400 grams |{{Convert|0.3-0.5|atm}} | | *leather or leather-like (case) *latex (bladder) | |- |Waterpolo and Canoe Polo |World Aquatics<ref>{{Cite web |title=COMPETITION REGULATIONS In force as from 25 June 2025 |url=https://resources.fina.org/fina/document/2025/07/01/ed3110a4-2291-411d-8526-6f641bd9237a/Competition-Regulations_June-2025_Clean-updated-01.07.2025-.pdf}}</ref> and ICF<ref>{{Cite web |title=INTERNATIONAL CANOE FEDERATION CANOE POLO COMPETITION RULES 2025 Taking effect from 1 January 2025 |url=https://www.canoeicf.com/sites/default/files/2025_icf_competition_rules_canoe_polo_-_final.pdf}}</ref> |Inflatable |Sphere |68-71 centimeters | - |400-450 grams |{{Convert|7.5-8.5|psi}} | | |100px |} {{Sticky table end}}
== See also == {{Wiktionary|Ball|position=right}} * Ball (mathematics) * Buckminster Fullerene "Bucky balls" * Dryer ball, used in a tumbling dryer * Football (ball) * Hockey puck, can also spin, bounce, and roll * Marbles * Penny floater * Shuttlecock * Super Ball
== References == {{reflist}} == External links == {{Wiktionary-inline|ball}} {{Authority control}} Category:Balls Category:Spheres