Ball Pressure
The internal air pressure of an inflatable or pressurised ball, which governs how firm it feels and how high it bounces.
Definition
Ball pressure is the amount of air pressure held inside a ball relative to the surrounding air. In inflatable balls such as those used in football, basketball and volleyball it is set by inflating to a recommended range, while pressurised tennis balls are sealed with internal pressure that makes them lively and quick off the strings.
Higher pressure makes a ball firmer, faster and higher-bouncing, whereas low pressure makes it feel soft and sluggish. Pressurised balls slowly lose air and go 'dead', which is why tennis balls are sold in sealed cans and replaced regularly; pressureless balls avoid this by relying on the rubber itself rather than trapped air.
Scope: Each sport's governing body sets its own permitted pressure range; the values vary, so official rules should be consulted for exact requirements.
Where you’ll hear “ball pressure”
Sports that use this term:
Tennis
A singles or doubles racquet sport that blends agility, strategy and stamina on court.
Basketball
A fast, dynamic team sport of running, jumping and quick decisions on court.
Football
The world’s most popular team sport — endless running, teamwork and community in one game.
Volleyball
A non-contact team sport of rallies, jumps and teamwork — indoors or on the beach.
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Techniques
- VolleyA shot played near the net by blocking the ball out of the air before it bounces, using a short, firm punch rather than a full swing.
- Topspin ForehandA forehand groundstroke hit with a low-to-high swing that puts forward spin on the ball so it dips and kicks up on landing.
- HeaderA technique for controlling or striking the ball with the forehead in football, used to pass, shoot or clear the ball in the air.
- Crossover DribbleA basketball dribbling move that switches the ball quickly from one hand to the other to change direction and get past a defender.
- One-Handed BackhandA backhand groundstroke struck with a single hand on the grip, driving through the ball with a full extension of the hitting arm.
Facilities
- Volleyball courtA rectangular court split by a high net over which two teams rally the ball, played indoors or on sand.
- Badminton courtA rectangular indoor court, divided by a high net, on which badminton is played as singles or doubles.
- Padel courtAn enclosed court, much smaller than a tennis court, walled with glass and mesh so the ball can be played off the walls.
- Sports hallA large indoor hall with multi-sport line markings, used for court sports like basketball, volleyball and badminton.
Equipment
- BasketballA large, inflated ball with a dimpled surface used to play basketball.
- Tennis racquetA strung frame with a handle used to hit the ball in tennis.
- Tennis ballA hollow rubber ball covered in felt used in tennis and related racquet sports.
- Table tennis batA small wooden blade covered with rubber used to hit the ball in table tennis.
- Padel racketA solid, stringless perforated racket used to play padel.
Playing surfaces
- ClayA soft, granular racquet-sport surface of crushed brick, stone or shale that slows the ball, gives a high bounce and lets players slide into shots.
- Synthetic trackAn all-weather rubberised athletics running surface — firm, springy and high-grip — giving sprinters and distance runners fast, consistent, predictable footing.
Decision making
- Positioning choicesDeciding where to place yourself — often before the ball arrives — to cover space, stay ready to act and shape what an opponent can do.
- Transition decisionsThe choices made at the moment a situation flips — winning or losing the ball, and switching between attack and defence.
- Shot selectionChoosing which shot to play from the options available — weighing the situation, the risk and what you are trying to achieve.
Skills
- ServingThe skill of putting the ball or shuttle into play to start a point or rally.
- ReboundingThe basketball skill of gaining the ball after a missed shot.
- CatchingThe skill of cleanly securing a ball travelling through the air or off the ground.
- ShootingThe skill of striking or releasing the ball toward the goal or basket to score.
- DribblingThe skill of moving with the ball under close control to beat opponents or keep possession.