Why Is My Basketball Not Bouncy?

Basketball is one of the most popular sports in the world. It is played between two teams in an attempt to score against each other by shooting a ball – basketball, through a hoop. 

This spherical basketball usually comes in different diameters ranging from a few inches to nearly 2 feet. The inside of the basketball is a balloon-like structure made of rubber, while the outside covering is either of leather, rubber or synthetic composite.

Why Is My Basketball Not Bouncy?

If a basketball doesn’t bounce properly, usually it is because of insufficient air filled in it. It is difficult to maintain a firm grip on the ball if it’s not bouncy, affecting the players’ performance in the game. 

Stale air inside the basketball is another reason the basketball won’t bounce. In that case, it is no longer a round ball. Instead, it will be soft with a slight dip.

Can I Leave My Basketball Outside?

One should never leave their basketball outdoors for extended periods. Changes in temperature and weather ruin the color of a basketball and damage its quality. As a result, the shape of the ball is lost, affecting the game and creating a need to purchase a new basketball.

It would help if you did not keep your basketball in cold places as it causes the ball to go flat and may also freeze the rubber. Therefore, the best way is to play with it often and store it at room temperature. 

Do Basketballs Deflate As They Are Used?

Yes! Basketballs do deflate with time and usage. However, since the rubber valve designed to maintain pressure is air-tight, not much air is lost, and one can play with it for a considerable amount of time.

Nevertheless, if one’s basketball is often deflating, the rubber vault is probably old and damaged, or perhaps it is the leaky hole through which the air escapes. 

Low-quality basketball or debris in the vault can also contribute to a deflated basketball. 

How Can I Take Care Of My Basketball?

Taking good care of one’s basketball is a key to longevity. Following are the aspects to consider in this regard;

Indoor basketballs should not be used outside as the rough and hard surfaces damage the leather – material used for their manufacturing. In the same way, outdoor balls should not be kept for indoor courts because they ruin the flooring. 

Don’t over-inflate the ball since it would get difficult to control, and it may also not go into the hoop. Similarly, a deflated ball would not help you score a point as it doesn’t bounce properly. 

Dirty baseballs should be cleaned with a mixture of water and mild detergent. However, they should be dried immediately to avoid damage caused by wetness.

Don’t keep the ball in direct sunlight or a cold place. Sunlight may affect the color and melt the rubber slightly, resulting in a distorted shape. In contrast, low temperatures may freeze the rubber or flat the basketball. 

Do Basketballs Lose Their Bounce As They Are Played Outdoors?

It is a tricky question to answer. The material used for outdoor basketball is different from indoor basketball. While the indoor ball is made out of full-grain leather that works great for gym floors, outdoor basketball is typically made of rubber or composite material. It helps protect the ball from a harsh environment, i.e., concrete and asphalt.

Now, technically one can use an indoor basketball as an outdoor basketball. This, however, would ruin the basketball in the short span as the outdoor environment causes quick wear and tear of the ball resulting in no bounce and difficulty in playing.

Read: Why does my basketball have bumps

How Can I Locate And Fix A Hole In My Basketball?

If your basketball is often flat even though used daily, it is possible to have a leaky hole. To remove the doubt, one can put the basketball underwater. If the bubbles begin to appear after dunking it in water, it confirms a hole’s presence. 

To fix the hole, the basketball can be sealed with tape. Rubber-like repair material is a better choice in this scenario as it offers long-lasting protection. However, one should not overuse it and limit the material to an area involving the hole because it may reduce the basketball’s bounce and ruin the game. 

How To Make A Basketball Bouncy Again?

Flat basketball doesn’t bounce well and affects the game. It needs to be inflated to replace the lost/stale air with fresh air to make it bouncy again.

For that, one mainly needs an air pump and inflation gauge. An inflation gauge is inserted into the rubber valve after filling the ball with an air pump. It tells a person about the air pressure of the basketball. 

Ideally, the reading should be somewhere between 7 and 9 pounds. If the ball has too much air, it would bounce higher than the waist and require slight deflating. 

How Much Does A Basketball Cost?

Typically, a basketball costs around $10-100, but it mainly depends on choosing the ball. 

It would be expensive if it’s an indoor ball, but if you opt for an outdoor basketball, you can easily get one for as little as $15. 

Similarly, if a branded basketball is meant for professional use, it will cost extra dollars considering its excellent quality, flexibility, durability, and longevity.

Frequently Asked Questions 

Why Doesn’t My Basketball Bounce?

It’s either because your basketball is very old and worn out or flat, i.e., there is not enough air in it. Storing a basketball in a cold place and not using it for a long time can be another good reason behind a non-bouncy basketball. 

How Can I Make My Basketball More Bouncy?

Replenishing the lost/stale air is the correct way to make your basketball functional and more bouncy. However, if it is an old ball with a damaged rubber vault or a hole in it, it is a sign to replace it with a new one.

Conclusion

A spherical-shaped ball specially designed for basketball games varies in size, material, and cost depending upon its use. To avoid air loss and ensure longevity, a basketball is typically stored at room temperature. A properly inflated ball ideally bounces up back to the height of one’s hips.