Types of Sports Balls with Photos

When you think about sports, the equipment that comes to mind often includes the variety of sports balls used in different games. From baseballs and basketballs to tennis balls and golf balls, each sport has its own distinct ball that plays a crucial role in the game. In this reference, you’ll explore a wide range of sports balls, making it easier to spot and recognize them during your favorite games.

List of Sports Balls – Created by Englishstudyonline

Table of Contents

List of Sports Ball

This list is an excellent starting point for building up your vocabulary about sports topics. Let’s get started:

American Football
Basketball
Tennis Ball
Baseball
Soccer Ball
Volleyball
Bowling Ball
Golf Ball
Beach Ball
Pool Ball
Hockey Puck
Playground Ball
Badminton
Bossaball
Water Polo
Lawn Bowls
Squash
Paddle Ball
Wiffleball
Cricket
Hurling
Rugby
Handball
Sepak Takraw
Table Tennis Ball
Racket Ball
Softball
Dodgeball
Bocce
Lacrosse
Futsal ball
Pétanque ball
Netball
Floorball
Pickle Ball

Sports Balls with Interesting Facts and Examples

American Football

Football, also known as soccer, is one of the most popular sports worldwide. The ball used in football is round and made of leather or synthetic materials. It’s typically black and white and has 32 panels on its surface. The standard size of a football is 5, and it should weigh between 14-16 ounces.

I enjoy watching American Football games on Sunday afternoons.

Basketball

Basketball is a fast-paced game that requires a ball that can bounce well. The basketball is round and made of leather or synthetic materials. It’s typically orange and has a circumference of 29.5 inches. The standard size of a basketball is 7, and it should weigh between 20-22 ounces.

My favorite sport to play with friends is basketball.

Tennis Ball

Tennis is a popular sport that requires a small, lightweight ball that can bounce well. The tennis ball is round and made of rubber covered in felt. It’s typically yellow and has a diameter of 2.7 inches. The standard size of a tennis ball is between 2.5-2.63 inches.

The tennis player hit the ball with great force, causing the fuzzy yellow tennis ball to fly over the net.

Baseball

Baseball is a popular sport in the United States, and the ball used in baseball is unique. The baseball is round and made of cork covered in leather. It’s typically white and has a circumference of 9 inches. The standard size of a baseball is 5, and it should weigh between 5-5.25 ounces.

Every spring, I look forward to going to the baseball stadium to watch my favorite team play.

Soccer Ball

The kids kicked the soccer ball back and forth, giggling and shouting with joy as they played together in the park.

Volleyball

Volleyball is a popular sport that requires a ball that can be easily passed and hit. The volleyball is round and made of synthetic materials. It’s typically white and has a circumference of 26 inches. The standard size of a volleyball is between 65-67 cm, and it should weigh between 260-280 grams.

Tim plays for the national volleyball team.

Bowling Ball

A bowling ball is a heavy ball used in the sport of bowling. It is typically made of a dense material such as rubber, plastic, or urethane, and has three finger holes drilled into it to allow the bowler to grip the ball. The standard weight of a bowling ball is between 14-16 pounds, although there are lighter and heavier options available

This bowling ball is too heavy for me.

Golf Ball

Golf is a popular sport that requires a small, lightweight ball that can fly well. The golf ball is round and made of rubber covered in dimples. It’s typically white and has a diameter of 1.68 inches. The standard size of a golf ball is between 1.68-1.7 inches, and it should weigh between 1.62-1.62 ounces.

With a swift swing of his club, the golfer sent the small white golf ball soaring through the air and onto the green.

Beach Ball

A beach ball is a lightweight, inflatable ball that is often used for recreational purposes on the beach or in the pool. It is typically round and features brightly colored panels or stripes. The size of a beach ball can vary, ranging from small enough to fit in the palm of your hand to large enough to require multiple people to hold it up.

The beach ball bounced up and hit him in the face.

Pool Ball

A pool ball is a small, hard ball used in the game of billiards. It is typically made of a high-quality phenolic resin or other durable material, and has a diameter of 2.25 inches. The ball is usually solid in color, with each ball in a standard set having a different color and number. The surface of a pool ball is smooth and polished, allowing it to roll smoothly across the felt-covered table.

In the original version of the photoelectric effect, one photon kicks out one electron, like one pool ball smacking into another.

Hockey Puck

A hockey puck is a small, hard disk used in the sport of ice hockey. It is typically made of vulcanized rubber and is black in color. The puck has a diameter of 3 inches and a thickness of 1 inch. The edges of the puck are beveled to prevent it from bouncing and to help it slide smoothly across the ice. Hockey pucks are used to score goals by shooting them into the opposing team’s net.

It looks like a giant hockey puck and hums like a hot rod.

Badminton

Badminton is a racquet sport played by two or four players. It is played with a shuttlecock, which is a feathered projectile with a cork base. The objective of the game is to hit the shuttlecock over a high net and land it within the boundaries of the opponent’s court. The game can be played as singles or doubles, and requires a combination of speed, agility, and precision. Badminton is a popular recreational and competitive sport played around the world.

Badminton can be played by two or four people.

Water Polo

Water Polo Water polo is a team sport played in a swimming pool that requires a combination of swimming and ball-handling skills. The objective of the game is to score goals by throwing a ball into the opponent’s goal. The game is known for its physicality and requires a high level of fitness and endurance.

I am not familiar with water polo.

Squash

Squash is a racquet sport played by two or four players in a four-walled court with a small, hollow rubber ball. The objective of the game is to hit the ball against the front wall in such a way that the opponent is unable to return the ball before it bounces twice. The game requires a combination of speed, agility, and strategy, and can be played as singles or doubles. Squash is a popular recreational and competitive sport played around the world.

I enjoy playing tennis and squash.

Wiffleball

Wiffleball is a variation of baseball played with a lightweight, perforated plastic ball and a plastic bat. The ball has holes on one side, which causes it to move unpredictably in the air when thrown. The game can be played with any number of players, and can be adapted to different playing surfaces and rules. Wiffleball is a popular backyard and recreational sport played mostly in the United States.

Wiffle ball is a variation of the sport of baseball designed for indoor or outdoor play in confined areas.

Cricket

Cricket is a popular sport in many countries, and the ball used in cricket is unique. The cricket ball is made of cork covered in leather and has a circumference of 9 inches. It’s typically red or white and weighs between 5.5-5.75 ounces.

Football and cricket are outdoor games.

Hurling

Hurling is a team sport played with a small ball and a wooden stick called a hurley. It is played on a large field with two teams of 15 players each. The objective of the game is to score points by hitting the ball over the opponent’s crossbar or to score goals by hitting the ball into the opponent’s net. Hurling is a fast-paced, physically demanding sport that requires a combination of skill, speed, and endurance. It is a traditional sport in Ireland and is played at both recreational and competitive levels.

Hurling is an outdoor team game of ancient Gaelic and Irish origin.

Rugby

Rugby is a popular sport that requires a ball that can be easily passed and kicked. The rugby ball is oval-shaped and made of leather or synthetic materials. It’s typically brown and has a circumference of 30 inches. The standard size of a rugby ball is 5, and it should weigh between 14-16 ounces.

Kids from six years old play mini rugby at the club.

Handball

Handball is a team sport played by two teams of seven players each. The objective of the game is to score goals by throwing a ball into the opponent’s goal using only the hands. Players can pass, dribble, and shoot the ball, and the game is known for its fast pace and physicality. Handball is played on a court with a goal at each end, and is a popular sport played around the world at both recreational and competitive levels.

The replay shows that it was a handball.

Sepak Takraw

Sepak Takraw is a sport played in Southeast Asia and other parts of the world that combines elements of soccer and volleyball. It is played with a rattan ball, and the objective of the game is to hit the ball over a high net and land it within the opponent’s court. Players use their feet, knees, chest, and head to hit the ball, but cannot use their hands. The game can be played as singles or doubles, and requires a combination of skill, speed, and agility.

Sepak takraw or kick volleyball is a sport native to Southeast Asia.

Table Tennis Ball

A table tennis ball is a small, lightweight ball used in the sport of table tennis, also known as ping pong. The ball is typically made of celluloid or plastic, and has a diameter of 40mm. The ball is hollow and has a seam running around its circumference. The ball is hit back and forth across a table by players using small, lightweight paddles.

The one in blue vest who smashed table tennis ball is me.

Softball

Softball is a team sport in which two teams compete to score runs by hitting a ball with a bat and running around a series of bases. It is similar to baseball, but the ball used in softball is larger and the field is smaller. Softball is typically played on a smaller field and has a faster pace than baseball. It is a popular recreational and competitive sport, particularly among women and girls.

I enjoy playing softball with my friends on the weekends.

Dodgeball

Dodgeball is a popular team sport in which players on two teams try to eliminate members of the opposing team by throwing balls and hitting them with a ball below the shoulders. The game is typically played in a gymnasium or on a playground, and the main objective is to eliminate all the players on the opposing team. If a player is hit by a ball and it is caught by a member of the opposing team, the player is out. The game continues until all players on one team are eliminated, and that team is declared the winner.

We had a blast playing dodgeball at the company picnic.

Bocce

Bocce, also known as bocce ball, is a popular Italian lawn game that involves throwing larger balls as close as possible to a smaller target ball, called the pallino. The game can be played on a variety of surfaces, including grass, sand, or synthetic courts. Players take turns throwing their balls, aiming to get them closest to the pallino. The team or player with the closest ball to the pallino scores points.

My family loves playing bocce in the backyard during summer barbecues.

Lacrosse

Lacrosse is a team sport that originated with indigenous peoples of North America and is now popular in the United States and Canada. It involves players using a small rubber ball and a long-handled stick called a crosse or lacrosse stick to pass, catch, and carry the ball into the opposing team’s goal to score points.

She has been playing lacrosse since she was a kid and is now on the school’s varsity team.

Futsal ball

Futsal is a variant of soccer that is played on a smaller, hard court, usually indoors. The game is played between two teams of five players each, including a goalkeeper. Futsal emphasizes skill, quick thinking, and close ball control, as the smaller playing area and limited space require players to make fast decisions and precise passes.

We need to buy a futsal ball for our indoor soccer league.

Pétanque ball

Pétanque is a popular French game that involves throwing hollow metal balls as close as possible to a small wooden ball called a cochonnet. The balls used in pétanque, also known as boules, are typically made of steel and have a diameter of around 7-8 centimeters. They are designed to be heavy and durable, with a smooth surface for easy rolling.

The retirement community hosts a weekly pétanque tournament.

Netball

Netball is a popular team sport, particularly in Commonwealth countries, that is played by two teams of seven players each. The game is similar to basketball but has some distinct differences, such as no dribbling, no running with the ball, and specific player positions. The objective of netball is to score goals by shooting the ball through a raised hoop at the end of the court.

I used to play netball in high school and loved the fast-paced nature of the game.

Floorball

Floorball is a fast-paced indoor team sport that is similar to ice hockey or field hockey. It is played with lightweight sticks and a plastic ball on a rectangular floorball court. The objective of the game is to score goals by hitting the ball into the opposing team’s net.

The community center offers floorball leagues for all ages.

Pickleball

Pickleball is a paddle sport that combines elements of tennis, badminton, and table tennis. It is played on a court with a net, and the game can be played as singles or doubles. The equipment used in pickleball includes a perforated plastic ball, similar to a wiffle ball, and solid paddles made of wood or composite materials. The objective of the game is to score points by hitting the ball over the net and into the opponent’s court, with the aim of making it difficult for the opponent to return the ball.

I recently took up pickleball and have been having a great time learning the game.

Lawn Bowls

Lawn bowls, also known as bowls, is a sport in which players roll biased balls, called bowls, to get them as close as possible to a smaller white ball, known as the jack. The game is typically played on a carefully maintained grass or artificial turf surface called a bowling green.

My grandparents enjoy playing lawn bowls at the local club every Sunday.

Paddle Ball

Paddleball is a game that is played with solid paddles and a small rubber ball on a court. The objective of the game is to hit the ball back and forth, similar to racquetball, but without the use of a stringed racquet. Paddleball can be played both indoors and outdoors, and it can be played as singles or doubles.