Shot Put

Aim and Method:

using one hand and gliding across the circle, the athlete propels the shot through the air for the maximum distance.

Equipment:

Athletes originally threw a rock. This was replaced by an iron ball called a shot. Men put or push (do not throw) a 7.26 kg shot and women use a shot of 4.00 kg. The shot is made of solid iron, brass, stainless steel or any metal harder than brass. It can also be made of a shell of these metals filled with lead or other material.

The shot must be sized within certain diameter limits. A lathe is used to machine finish it to be smooth and spherical.

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Discus

Aim and method:

with upper body spinning, to project the discus as far as possible.

Equipment:

In the ancient Olympics, the discus was made of stone, iron, bronze or lead and was shaped like a flying saucer. Sizes varied, as younger boys were not expected to throw the same weight as the men.

Today, the discus may be solid or hollow and is generally made of wood, with a stainless steel circular rim. There can be circular plates set flush into the centre of the sides made of carbon-reinforced fibreglass.

It is made to set specifications of shape, and weighs 2.0 kg for men and 1.0 kg for women.

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Hammer Throw

Aim and method:

to hurl a ‘hammer’ (a heavy ball attached via a length of wire to a metal handle) as far as possible.

Athletes compete by gripping the handle with both hands and keeping their feet still, whirling the ball around in circles above their head. They then spin their body around three times to give even greater speed to the ball and release it upward and outward.

Equipment:

The head (ball) can be made of solid iron, brass or any metal harder than brass. It can also be made from a shell of these metals and filled with lead or other material. It is smooth and round and with a minimum diameter of 110mm for men and 95mm for women.

The steel wire attaching the head to the metal handle can be from 1.175 to 1.215 m in length. The wire must not be able to be stretched.

It weighs at least 7.26 kg for men and 4 kg for women (the same as the shotput).

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Javelin

Aim and method:

Unlike other throwing events, the athlete is allowed to sprint 30m to a throwing line before hurling the javelin.
The tip of the metal head must hit the ground first for the throw to be valid.

Equipment:

Early javelins were spears made of wood, with a sharpened end or an attached metal point. They often broke.

In the 1950s, a streamlined aluminium javelin was designed, enabling greater distances to be thrown. By the early 1980s, the aerodynamics had improved and the centre of gravity had to be modified to reduce distance!

Javelins have three parts: a head, a shaft and a cord grip at the javelinsÂ’ centre of gravity. (Place a ruler across your finger and where it balances is its centre of gravity. The shaft is smooth and often made of metal. The head is usually steel and tapers to a sharp point. The javelin must weigh at least 800 grams for men and 600g for women, and be 260 cm long for men and 220 cm for women. It must also be of specified width at certain points along its length.

For all throwing events, instead of a time-consuming and inaccurate tape measure, an Electronic Distance Measurement EDM) measures the distance from the throwing point to the impact point (of the javelin, for example) using an infra-red beam and reflector respectively.

It calculates the distance travelled using angle measurements, is accurate to within 1 mm, and the result is ready within about 10 seconds.
In shot put, discus and hammer throw, the object must be thrown from within a circle with a diameter of 2.5m for discus and 2.135m for shot put and hammer throw. The ring of the circle is iron, steel or other suitable material and set flush with the ground with concrete or another material filling the centre.
NSIC

In discus and hammer throw, this circle is partly surrounded by a cage for the safety of officials, competitors and spectators. The netting of this enclosure can be made of natural or synthetic fibre cord, or steel wire, provided it can stop a 2 kg discus moving at speeds up to 25 metres/sec, or a 7.26 kg hammer head moving at speeds up to 32 metres/sec, and prevent ricocheting.

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Information Sheet - Field Athletics Equipment

High Jump

Aim and method:

to sprint then leap over a crossbar which is placed at progressively greater heights.Jumps are measured from the ground to the underside of the crossbar.

Equipment:

The rigid crossbar is generally made of lightweight metal. It weighs less than 2kg and rests on metal posts 4m apart.Jumpers now land on a plastic foam cushion, which has replaced the old sand pit!.

Pole Vault

Aim and method:

As with high jump, but athletes attempt to clear the crossbar with the aid of a flexible pole.

Athletes sprint down a runway holding on to one end of the pole then digging the other end into a box or slot in the ground and swinging upward towards the crossbar. Doing a virtual handstand on the pole, they thrust their body facedown across the bar.

Vaults are measured electronically from the ground to the upper side of the crossbar.

Equipment:

Prior to the 1940s, poles were made of wood and bamboo.With bamboo unavailable from Japan during World War II, metal was used.In the 1960s, an idea came from deep-sea fishing rods: lightweight fibreglass was used instead of metal. Fibreglass is a mixture of glass – made from the mineral quartz - and resin.

Then in 1995, fibreglass with carbon was introduced.Poles are generally 4 – 5 metres long and weigh approximately 3.6 kg.Prior to World War II, the crossbar was made of steel. It is now constructed of fibreglass.

Long Jump

Aim and Method:

to sprint along a runway and leap forward as far as possible into a sand pit.Distance is measured from the front edge of the take-off board to the closest mark in the sand made by the jumper.

Equipment:

At the ancient Games, jumpers held dumb-bell shaped lead or stone weights called halteres to increase their momentum and jump further. These are not allowed in the modern Olympics.

In the past. measuring tapes were used, but today Electronic Distance Measurements (EDMs) use an infra-red beam at the take-off board and a reflector at the athleteÂ’s landing point to more accurately measure the distance jumped. Judges look at plasticine imprints to check if the jumper has over-stepped the take-off.

Triple Jump

Aim and Method:

to sprint along a runway and using a hop, a step and a jump, propel oneself forward into a sand pit. The athlete first uses the hop (taking off and landing on the same foot) then the step (taking off and landing on different feet) then the jump, landing on both feet.

Equipment:

Distances are measured as for the long jump.

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Athletes as Coaches

Many athletes report that after years of being coached and competing in a given sport, they feel that they have a grasp of the fundamentals of the sport and feel that they might be able to teach that sport to other athletes. Sometimes they become assistant coaches, sometimes they just become the athlete who the coach knows he or she can call on to demonstrate a skill.

After years of participating in the same sports, many athletes report that they are looking for new activities and challenges. Allowing athletes the option to formally move into coaching gives them an opportunity to continue their involvement with Special Olympics in new and challenging ways.

Athletes as coaches, such as Fan Gin-Chia (Michael) of Special Olympics Chinese Taipei, also provide a new source of reliable volunteers to help expand Program offerings in sports that the athletes are most interested in.

How can athletes as coaches help a Special Olympics Program?

When communities and other athletes see Special Olympics athletes stepping up to assistant coach and head coach roles, they see our movement as inclusive and cutting edge. When athletes see an opportunity to grow and take on new roles, it keeps them from getting bored and dropping out of Special Olympics.

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Cycling

Have you ever ridden a bike? Maybe you own one. While the bicycle is used by millions of people around the world as a means of transport, it is also used for recreation, or in sports such as triathlons, track cycling, BMX or mountain bike competitions. Cycling is one of the fastest growing sports in the world and one of the toughest events at the Olympic Games. Cyclists must have incredible levels of fitness and stamina.

There are three types of competition for cycling at the Olympic Games - track (in an arena or velodrome), road and mountain bike.

Races include pursuits, time trials, and sprints.

In order to show the world the beauty and attractions of Athens, the 2004 Olympic Games will begin with a cycling event - the men's road race. Cyclists will take 3 - 4 hours to complete the course through the streets of Athens.

Cycling is a sport that attracts as much interest in the state-of-the-art bikes as the athletes. Spectators are sometimes kept waiting until the last minute to know what sort of high-tech bike the riders will use.

The following information will help you find out more about bikes in general and racing bikes such as those that will be used in the Athens 2004 Olympics.

Minerals and metals are essential to the making of a bike, especially a really fast one. Most of the materials used in the bike first started out as rocks in the ground. These rocks contain minerals that can be mined, then processed into metals. Bikes are made up mostly of metals and carbon fibre as you will soon find out!

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Tips for Treatment of Athletic Injuries

For active people, participating in exercise or athletic events can often result in minor musculoskeletal injuries. The following is a list of things which should be done soon after an injury occurs. The guidelines are based on the acronym R.I.C.E., which stands for Rest, Ice Compression, and Elevation.

Rest - Rest is very important for allowing musculoskeletal injuries to heal. Immobilization of an injury allows the body's healing processes to occur without complication. This will help to ensure the most efficient recovery period.

Ice - Cold, primarily ice in different forms, is an excellent first aid agent. It helps to reduce swelling, decrease pain, and ease muscle spasm. Ice should be applied for approximately 20 minutes every hour or hour and a half following an injury. This protocol should be followed for 2-3 days or until pain and swelling subsides.

Compression - Compression is another effective tool for treatment of new injuries. Elastic wraps and tapes provide uniform compression to injured areas, helping to minimize inflammation. Compression should be maintained throughout the day, with intermittent cold applications.

Elevation - Elevation can also aid the healing process by reducing swelling and increasing venous return of injured cells. The injured area should be elevated above the level of the heart, especially during ice and compression applications.

Many injuries that, at first, seem too minor can sometimes become more involved. If pain, swelling and other symptoms are not improving, it is important to consult your physician. Any injury which results in severe pain, deformity, or joint instability, should be examined immediately by a health care professional.

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Athletic Gear: Shoes / Footwear

One of the most fundamental parts of any set of athletic gear is the footwear – shoes, sandals, skates (inline and ice), and so on. Without good athletic footwear, people's performance will suffer and injuries might even result. Athletic shoes aren't just for playing competitive sports – just about any physical activity that needs you to use your feet often (e.g. hiking) will need athletic footwear.

Regardless of your activity of choice, you should consider a few things when choosing which athletic shoes to buy. Your comfort holds topnotch priority – there’s no use wearing a certain shoe if you don't feel good using it. Remember, an expensive or stylish athletic shoe does not necessarily equate to comfort, so choose wisely.

Second thing you'll need to think about is the shoe's durability. Of course, if you're buying shoes of a reputable and established brand, more often than not you can rest easy with the quality. Inspect the material first, and if possible, question the salesperson as to the expected life of the product.

Many people shop online nowadays, and a pair of shoes is a popular item on their carts. However, it's still advisable to shop in person and see the shoes for yourself, so you can spot defects and give them a 'test walk'.

In our introductory article we said that arguably, athletic shoes have made it to casual attire more than any other type of athletic gear. If you plan to wear your athletic footwear this way, choose the shoes that have a good balance between style and overall 'athletic-readiness'. When we say 'athletic-readiness', we mean the combination of comfort, durability, and other factors that might come to your mind from the point of view of an athlete.

If you're a basketball shoe enthusiast, then you're quite a lucky person because most basketball shoes nowadays make for great casual attire pieces. Amongst all other athletic shoes, basketball footwear embody the fusion of style, design, and athletic performance. But if you go for performance above anything else, then you should scout for shoes that carry some of the following adjectives: lightweight, 'breath-ability' (ventilation), responsive, support, cushioned, grip, traction, and shock absorption, among others.

Whether you are a track athlete or a leisure jogger, then it goes without saying that running shoes are vital to your life. Most shoe manufacturers divide running shoes into three categories – cushioning, motion control, and stability. The last one is a balance between cushioning and motion control.

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Athletic Gear: Athletic Apparel

Athletic apparel is any type of athletic gear that is worn on any part of the body. These pieces of clothing are specially designed to meet the demands of the different sports they are suitable for, whether it's flexibility, insulation, waterproofing, insect bites, high-friction surfaces, or anything else.

In the athletic world, form follows function, and as you will see, most characteristics of each type of clothing follow the purpose of the garment itself.

Of course, every sport in its infant stage will have used a generic set of clothing, one that is available to the public, to later evolve into something that is custom-fit for that particular activity. Today, we have a wide spectrum of shapes, fabrics, textures, and cuts that overlap and intersect among different types of sports. Some of these clothes have even moved out of the gym and into people's daily attire: casual, preppy, dressy, formal, ultrachic, hip-hop, mixed, matched, and more. Certain patterns and colors are associated with different types of sports; they are also used to distinguish between different teams playing in a league along with team logos and team names.

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Athletic Gear: Full Body Apparel

In the previous Athletic Gear articles, we've managed to see what tops and bottoms go with which sports or activities, and why they do. Some athletic endeavors, however, call for complete suits that do the job of supporting both upper and lower parts of the body at the same time. They're bought either as a pair, counted as single article of athletic clothing, or literally worn in one piece. Let's take a look at some athletic full body apparel.

Tracksuits consist of a jacket and a pair of pants. Sweatsuits are also two-piece athletic clothing that consist of a sweater/sweatshirt and sweatpants [link]. Both serve similar purposes, although tracksuits are often worn over the actual athletic attire whether during workout sessions, trainings, or competitions. Sweatsuits are often made in gray, but nowadays can be seen in any shade imaginable, especially since they have moved out of the for-athletic-wear-only category and can be worn on their own.

Swimsuits, also called bathing suits ("bathers") or swimming costumes ("cozzies") are usually skin-tight garments for water-related activities and sports such as swimming, surfing, wakeboarding, etc. Nowadays men's swimsuits consist only of clothing that covers the crotch area (see Athletic Gear: Bottoms). For women, one-piece or two-piece swimsuits are available and differ in the amount of skin area they cover. Terms in women's swimsuits include monokinis, tank suits (typical one piece suits), sling bikinis, and pretzel suits for one-piece suits, and bikinis, tankinis, thongs, t-backs, and g-strings for two-piece suits. (Note that the last three suits are also applicable to men's wear!)

But while swimsuits have evolved quickly to cover as little skin as possible, in sports such as diving, surfing, sailing, powerboating, waterskiing, caving, triathlon, and swimming, design for this type of athletic gear is a little different. Such suits are made to protect the wearer from extreme conditions such as pressure, cold temperatures, and abrasion from foreign objects. Full-body suits of this type include wetsuits, drysuits, semi-dry suits, hot water suits, dive skins, and a combination of one or more of them. Wetsuit variations include: shorties/spring suits, jackets, beavertails, long johns, and your usual full suits/steamers.

Leotards are similar in elasticity to wetsuits and swimsuits. It is a one-piece athletic garment that covers the upper body and the pelvic/crotch area, and not the leg area. It is similar to a bathing suit but is used in acrobatics, gymnastics, ballet, and other dancing/performing activities. In certain occasions they are worn with tights, sometimes even leggings. Leotards can have long sleeves, short sleeves, or no sleeves. Unitards take leotards a step further and provide the leg portion for the apparel.

Finally, athletic uniforms fall under this classification. Most of these are tops and bottoms carefully designed mechanically and aesthetically to work in harmony, while some are one-piece suits that cover the whole body. Depending on the sport, there are official specifications for the different characteristics of these uniforms (e.g., measurements, material, construction, and other statistics or ratings). These uniforms are often called "jerseys" as well.

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Athletic Gear: Other Garments

While a top-and-bottom pair or a piece of full-body apparel does cover the whole body, there are some other articles of clothing you may need to put on to be completely dressed and suited up.

Undergarments are just as essential as an athlete's outer garments. They perform better than usual in terms of support and protection especially when the sport one is engaged in actually causes that kind of "wear and tear." For the females there are sports bras (brassieres) with specialized levels of support for the breasts. Athletic supporters—jockstraps/jocks for the males and jillstraps for the females—protect the crotch area by incorporating tough material that acts as a shield against impact. Dance belts are thong jocks worn in ballet, ice skating/figure skating, horse riding/equestrianism, and dancing to prevent "visual distractions" as well as other accidents and discomforts. On other occasions, underwear for men need not be that tight-fitting, as seen in boxer briefs and boxer shorts.

Bodystockings are full-body garments similar to unitards (that cover arms, legs, and the rest of the body) in shape and similar to stockings in material, but are worn as an underlayer especially in cold conditions. The two-piece counterpart of bodystocking is long underwear, consisting of undergarments with long sleeves and long pantlegs. Thermal underwear is the thicker version of this full-body underwear.

Leg coverings are also an important part of several sports. Tights are indispensable part of dancing, ballet, gymnastics, even horse riding/equestrianism (jodhpurs, or riding pants/riding tights), cycling, wrestling, and running. (At one point, basketball players Kobe Bryant started to wear tights too!)

Leg warmers do just what they say: warm the legs. They are like socks and often cover the lower portion of the legs, but do not have "feet." They are often used in ballet, dancing, aerobics, and related activities and workouts.

Socks do not necessarily cover the whole length of the legs, but do so at least for the feet. They help absorb sweat, avoid frostbite, and ease friction. Lengths vary (ankle length to extra-long beyond the knee length) depending on the type of sport and the personal preference of the athlete wearing the socks.

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Athletic Gear Accessories

Having a complete outfit from top to bottom, whether two-piece or full-body, does not mean you are completely geared up for your athletic activity. Check out some athletic accessories that help get you through that game or workout.

Bags

Athletic equipment including your apparel and other accessories will definitely be moving around as you hop to the gym, to the field, to your house, and back. Popular types of bags used with athletic gear include duffel bags and backpacks. Special types of bags serve specific purposes, e.g., sleeping bags and shoe bags. These bags are usually rugged not only in appearance but in the way they have been constructed (water-proof, fire-proof, tear-proof, and more), but these days you're sure to find a bag that will suit your personal needs and tastes.

Headgear: Caps, Hats, Helmets, Visors

Sports and other athletic activities are potentially harmful to many different parts of the body such as the head. Caps, hats, and visors primarily serve to shield the eyes from glare, while full helmets often have hard outer shells that provide protection during collisions or other accidents.

Eyewear: Glasses, Goggles, Shades

One must keep in mind that caring for eyesight is an essential part of athletic training. Elements such as sunlight/glare, water, gas, chemicals, pressure, strong wind, sharp objects, and collisions can damage the eyes and impede optimal performance. Shades are not just fashion items that go well with certain outfits, but are especially useful in outdoor tournaments, whether it's at the beach or at the slopes. Prescribed eyewear can also be incorporated into these for convenience.

Gloves

Varying in shape, size, thickness, material, and a lot more, gloves are also considered part of several sports uniforms including boxing, baseball, softball, football, hockey, racing, cycling, equestrianism/horseback riding, fencing, diving, yachting, cricket, billiards, and archery. Variations include fingerless gloves, mittens, mitts, webbed gloves, etc.

Belts

Belts are more than ordinary strips of leather or cloth that hold up pants or shorts. Besides gaining special attention in sports such as karate and taekwondo, other martial arts, and boxing as a measure of athletic skill and achievement, they are also used to hold gadgets more conveniently including weights for more rigorous training. Belts that are designed to carry weights are called dip belts.

Bands: Wrist bands, Head bands, Arm bands, Elbow bands

Several types of bands can prove useful when worn around different parts of the body. Since they are typically made of stretchable terrycloth, they are both absorbent and stay in place when moving around. Head bands, for example, help keep hair from falling in front of the face as a distraction. In other parts of the body, such as the wrist, elbow, knee, or ankle, athletic bands provide supports and prevent unnecessary strain, accident, or discomfort.

Pads and Shields

Similar to bands, pads and shields are specialized sheets of stiff yet flexible fabric that wrap around certain areas of the body. They cushion body parts especially in contact and high-impact sports such as football, skating, hockey, racing, polo, etc.

Tapes, Bandages, Wraps

Several types of long strips of gauze or adhesive also have a variety of purposes and are also used for different parts of the body. Aside from absorbing sweat and impact, or helping out during injuries, they may be used inside pads, shields, and bands for extra support.

Athletic Equipment

Aside from gear worn for one's body, athletes must also be ready with equipment they're going to need for practices, tournaments, or workouts. This yet another large category consisting of items that varies from activity to activity. Examples include exercise mats, balls (see Athletic Balls), ropes and cords, bats, goals, baskets, nets, and more. This category also covers special gadgets that monitor your performance (especially during exercises) or other important environmental conditions that help you formulate a specific strategy for that situation.

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Buying Athletic Gear

Buying athletic gear and have a few questions in mind? Here are some important things to consider and remember when shopping for athletic apparel, shoes, accessories, and any other type of equipment.

Purpose: Why are you Buying?

Shopping for an athletic activity is just like picking out the athletic activity itself: one must realize the purpose of engaging in that activity. While some sports have strict rules and measurements for the uniform and equipment that must be used, other activities need less-specialized athletic gear. So figure out what exactly should you get for your sport or exercise. If you're a newbie, better do your homework rather than have other people telling you what to do, other people that might be getting a run for your money. Of course, if you're a pro, then you'll know that experience is the best teacher, so play hard and learn well.

Are you going on a workout (low impact) or something extreme (high impact)? Do you play as a hobby or do you play professionally? Will you prioritize how the apparel or equipment will appeal aesthetically? How does your personal taste come into play in your shopping? Will you be using it for more than one activity? If so, how durable should the gear be?

You must also be willing to pay more for better quality, safety, and overall, a good time playing the game. However, throwing away more dough doesn't equal a better guarantee all the time. Be on the lookout for good deals over scams.

Fit and Comfort: How Should It Fit You?

Performing well in a sport has a lot to do with the equipment one uses, especially the apparel. Chafing occurs when there is friction applied to the skin due to uncomfortable clothing or other surfaces. This can be avoided by choosing the proper attire for the proper activity, a suitable lotion or powder to apply on the affected area (e.g., petroleum jelly, powder, or even typical skin lotion), or a more skin-friendly piece of equipment (e.g., better material for bicycle seats).

Make sure you pick out the appropriate size (and weight) for your body, whether it's a tracksuit or a baseball bat. Take into consideration the amount of support an athletic garment should give you. Again, if you've done your homework you'll be making better decisions and having less regrets about this one. Understanding how a garment or a shoe or a piece of equipment works as well as the factors affecting it helps you make those decisions.

Function should rule over form in this case; don't pressure yourself into picking out the "better-looking" one if know it's inappropriate and not advantageous anyway. If you're really image conscious, prepare to suffer the consequences if you can't find a good compromise between appearance and utility (some provide both, after all).

If you can help it, try before you buy. And try things out carefully: move around, and don't just stare at yourself in the mirror! Try walking around in those shoes. Try stretching your arms and legs. Inspect the stitching, as well as other nooks and crannies.

Where to Shop: Should You Go Offline or Online?

Shopping in an actual store gives you the previously mentioned advantage of trying out what you intend to buy. Sometimes this is the most important thing to consider when making a decision, so why would you want to go online?

For better deals, mostly. Check if the store you've been to has an online version, and see if it's more convenient for you to buy via the Internet in terms of overall value and convenience (not necessarily price). Also hop over to other shopping sites and make comparisons: see if you can get it cheaper or faster. Going online assures you of lots more choices, including sizes that might be out of stock when you walk into that store. Just make sure you're choosing the right size because not all measurements mean the same thing in different regions. If you choose to use the Internet in purchasing, be mindful of the guarantees and warranties you should be getting, such as shipping details and return policies. A wide variety of good choices may be available online, indeed, but be wary of the bad ones.

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Athletic Gear: The Balls of the Trade

There are a lot of sporting disciplines out there that don't focus on balls, but everyone's aware that most of the world's most popular sports use them. From the heavy (bowling balls) to the light (golf balls), from the big (basketball) to the small (tennis ball), this article describes some of the most recognizable round objects in the world.

Basketball

One of the most popular sporting balls around, the basketball is the heart of the game that carries its name. Usually 30 inches in circumference, the basketball is usually orange in color; there exist variants, such as balls of the darker shade and the tricolor (blue, white, red) balls used in the defunct ABA. There are black lines that follow the contour of the ball and aid the basketball player in his/her grip.

The basketball is usually made of rubber, leather, or synthetic material. One trait that is unique to the basketball is its bounce – every ball is properly inflated such that it can rebound to a certain height when dropped on the floor (also from a certain height).

Foot / soccer ball

If the sport football (soccer) is called "the beautiful game", then the ball should be rightfully called "the beautiful ball". It’s also the most popular sporting ball on earth, following suit after the sport. Footballs brandish a wide variety of colors, but the most popular of all is the black pentagon / white hexagon pattern. Standard soccer balls have a circumference of 27-28 inches and a weight of 410-450 grams.

Most footballs today are made of 12 pentagon and 20 hexagon panels of waterproofed leather or plastic. These panels are stitched together; quality control assures that no stitches have been missed prior to shipping.

American / Canadian football

One look at the ball used in American / Canadian football leads you to think – is this still a ball? This type of football is unique as it’s not as spherical as most balls. This football is pointed at the ends and usually measures 11 inches long and 22 inches in circumference.

As expected of its uneven shape, the American / Canadian football is difficult to catch and has unpredictable bounces. It consists of four leather panels sewn together and usually tanned to a brown color.

Baseball

An icon of American culture, the baseball is an object made for precision and speed. According to Major League standards, a baseball must measure 9-9.25 inches in circumference and weigh 5-5.25 ounces. Cowhide covers the interior composition of the baseball; the inside is made of a cushioned cork pill in the center and wool and cotton windings.

Golf

Golf balls. You often see them soaring into the sky over and across a landscape of green, water, and sand. These light and little spheres are probably the cutest balls in the world –they're dimpled! A golf ball's dimples serve to increase and shape the lift and drag forces acting on the ball. They are there for aerodynamics, not style. Usually, a golf ball sports 300-450 dimples.

A standard golf ball measures no less than 1.680 inches in diameter and weighs no more than 45.93 grams.

Tennis

Tennis balls seem light in appearance, which is helped by its cloth covering. However, anybody who has missed hitting the ball with a racket and ended up getting smacked on the face will tell you that it’s solid hard. Usually, tennis balls come in a light green color, though white balls are also popular. Tennis ball standards dictate that the balls’ seams must be stitch-less.

Volleyball

The volleyball is lighter than most sporting balls of its size – it needs to be, as players send it flying swiftly across the court! This inflated ball is often made of leather (synthetic or natural) and measures 65-67 centimeters in circumference. There are no color / pattern restrictions, though balls with blue, yellow, and white stripes are widely used.

Bowling

In contrast to the buoyant volleyball is the heavy, rock-solid ball used in bowling. Again, it needs to be, as its purpose is to knock down a set of pins, which are also quite robust in build. These balls have finger holes with which bowlers can hold the ball. Bowling balls often come in a wide array of sizes (e.g. either for ten-pin or duckpin bowling), colors (some are even neon, eye-catching ones!), and weights (e.g. for men and women).

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