| "body"> | | | | prevalent among children below the age of 7. NBA |
| The NBA has specified basketball sizes not just for | | | | recommends that very young children be given foam |
| official men's, women's, and junior league games, but | | | | or rubber basketballs with a 22" circumference and |
| also unofficial games for children and youth. These | | | | weight of 8 oz. |
| size specifications help you choose the right ball for | | | | The CDC found that girls are more frequently and |
| yourself or your children, and it is recommended that | | | | acutely injured than boys during basketball games. For |
| they be followed strictly to avoid injury during play. | | | | adolescents girls between the ages of 14- 16, NBA |
| Basketball is a physically vigorous game, with moves | | | | recommends "junior" basketballs of circumference |
| that involve running, jumping, blocking, and shooting. The | | | | 27.75" (size 5), with a weight of around 18 oz. Also, the |
| injuries during the game are categorized into upper | | | | ball for women's official games is 28.5" in |
| body and lower body injuries. While lower body injuries | | | | circumference (size 6) and weigh 20 oz. The men's |
| can be prevented by proper shoes, training, and | | | | official basketball, by comparison, is bigger (29.5" or |
| padding, upper body injuries are best prevented by | | | | size 7), weighing 22 oz. |
| using basketballs of proper size and weight. | | | | Even training balls that are not used for official |
| According to a survey published by the US Centre for | | | | matches have certain size and weight criteria. For shot |
| Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), basketball | | | | training, the men's training basketball has 36" |
| ranks fourth among the major causes of injury in the | | | | circumference (size 9). The women's basketball is |
| US. A study quoted on says that basketball causes | | | | 33.5" or size 8. The men's weighted ball used for |
| 20% of all injuries in children aged 10 to 14. goes on to | | | | muscle building exercises is 29.5" in circumference and |
| suggest that proper basketball weight and size go a | | | | the women's ball is 28.5", with weight a little more than |
| long way in preventing such injuries. The NBA | | | | the official balls. |
| recommended basketball size for children in this age | | | | Choosing the right ball is important for your health and |
| group is 27.25", with weight around 12 oz. | | | | safety, and these guidelines should be adhered to while |
| Injuries due to improper basketball size are also | | | | purchasing basketballs for official or unofficial games. |