Basketball Size Chart - Recommended Sizes for Kids & Adults

I am glad that someone finally thought about this. I battle with parents all the time. Their children want to use "Official" size basketballs. I insist that they use appropriate sized balls, so that they can avoid developing bad habits when coping with balls that are too big and too heavy. I have even had younger children shoot with volleyballs.

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Great! Finally a reference chart for this. Thank you.

Same problem here as Darrel, everyone wants to use the big balls, on the big nets, thinking somehow this will get them dunking in no time...at 9 years old...

Parents don''t take into account the natural progression and strength building children go through enough. Be patient.

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My 8-year old daughter was just told to bring a 28.5" ball to her 1st Upward practice. I couldn't believe it. My 8th grade team (14 year olds) use 28.5. Wish they would reference your chart.

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Gordon DeSilva says: 2/17/2017 at 2:48:28 PM Upward uses the exact same chart, I've been an Upward Director for 10 yrs, with any league, individuals may not be as informed as they should be... also we provide the balls to practice with so should never bring your ball to league (or it may be lost/stolen) Like     login   register

I bet Larry bird didnt shoot with those little balls when he was a kid. Did they even have them balls back in the day? Doubt it.All the best shooters are old school players. Very doubtful they used that chart

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Travis says: 11/25/2014 at 9:15:15 AM Larry legend was not the same size/strength as the average kid. Not a relevant comment when we are talking about developing skills for the majority of players. This chart is great for development of technically sound shooting form. Kids will compensate for the additional weight of the wrong size ball which creates bad shooting habits, period. I've seen it as a coach from K through 6A varsity. Like   2 people liked this.   login   register

Jack says: 11/27/2014 at 7:59:36 AM I'd also point out that back in the day when Bird played, kids didn't play us much. Now you have kids playing as young as 5 year olds and some 8 year olds are playing 50 games a year. There are so many more games and clubs now than ever before. I didn't even play basketball until middle school and I'm quite a bit younger than Bird. Things were much different when I was a kid and basketball was more of an older players sport back then. We live in a different world today and making adjustments makes sense. I think this chart is great. Maybe the best shooters are old school players because they didn't start playing basketball until they were older and thus used an age appropriate ball? I also think a big part of it has to do with the media and a different emphasis on basketball. Now you see dunks and behind the back passes on Sports Center. Years ago shooting was emphasized. Today athleticism and fancy 1on1 moves are emphasized. Like   1 person liked this. 1 reply   login   register Lotus says: 8/23/2016 at 8:36:26 AM I also believe that older players never had a three point line. This really influences today's kids to shoot way beyond their range thus developing poor shooting mechanics. Like     login   register

How about ages and goal heights? How about 3 on 3 instead of 5 on 5 at younger ages also?

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Joe Haefner says: 11/30/2014 at 9:56:30 AM Definitely, Jeff! We have other articles that preach that as well. Here are a few of them: http://www.breakthroughbasketball.com/coaching/developmental-league.html http://www.breakthroughbasketball.com/blog/index.php/could-3-on-3-basketball-be-the-best-for-youth-players/ http://www.breakthroughbasketball.com/defense/age.html http://www.breakthroughbasketball.com/fundamentals/shooting/youth-shooting-adjustments.html Here is our youth coaching page: http://www.breakthroughbasketball.com/coaching/youthbasketball.html Like     login   register

In Western PA 28.5" (size 6) balls are common for boys 9-11 (4th grade). 5th grade and above is standard 29.5" ball...

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jeff says: 12/2/2014 at 9:46:02 AM Yea that's too bad. We see the same thing around here in Iowa with tournaments and club teams. I think that's a big reason that by the time I get kids (in high school) so many of them have shooting technique that is really messed up. And 95% or more of the kids can't (or won't) break their bad shooting habits. 4th graders just are not strong enough to shoot a 28.5" ball with proper technique. They drop their shoulder, twist their body, etc. And they learn bad habits that stick with them through high school. Like     login   register

I help administer a league of players, boys and girls, in grades 1-6. I would love for all of our teams/schools to consider going to a youth ball in grades 1-2 junior ball in 3-4 28.5 in 5-6. Would that make sense? And, is it possible to find the youth ball (size 4) in a composite or leather material? (indoor game condition).

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Jeff Haefner says: 12/9/2014 at 11:11:04 AM Dan - I think what you propose is definitely a step in the right direction. I'd still like to see 5th graders using the 27.5, especially girls. But you might get push back because people are not used to that. Almost everyone uses 28.5 or bigger in 5th grade. So it might take a little "selling". I have not been able to find a size 4 composite or leather ball. However the Mikasa rubber ball does not seem like rubber. It looks and feels more like composite material and I personally would not hesitate to use that as a game ball. I don't think anyone would even think it is made of rubber. I know some leagues use that same ball. Here's the link to the size 4 Mikasa I'm talking about. http://www.breakthroughbasketball.com/store/shopexd.asp?id=96 The balls we get are a little darker than what you see in the picture. I'm assuming that's an older picture that Mikasa sent us. Like     login   register

Thank you for research it help me for my work

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I use a 30.5"

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Others sizes of basketball is not available in the market or basketball shop like size 4 and 5.

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What are the units for the circumference

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JMill says: 11/7/2018 at 10:27:26 AM Inches Like     login   register

I am going to start a league in 2018 that is parallel to CYO. Those that don't make their CYO teams in various schools will have a place to play and learn.
For 3rd & 4th grade boys and girls it will be a non competitive league with refs but no score kept, no playoffs, no all star games. Just learning how to play with an age appropriate ball.
For 5th & 6th grade boys and girls I'm thinking about doing the same rules.
For 7th & 8th grade boys and girls it will be competitive with refs, playoffs, scores kept, all star games, wins/losses and a 28.5 ounce ball used.

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I am a dad here in Denmark (Scandinavia) and we have great traditions of e.g. soccer but none when it comes to basketball.
So it is great to have some "original American" instructions, tips and training programs.

My teenage son just started in a local basketball club and think it will be really helpful for him to follow your training programs.

Thanks a lot !

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I am a dad of a 4th grade boy who really loves basketball. I have really enjoyed your website and have gotten lots of useful information from it. I couldn't agree with you more about your recommendation about right ball size for kids. My question is: my son shoots great in the backyard with a great form with a 27.5 ball at a 9 foot rim. Then he plays at the school yard (using a 28.5 ball and 10 ft. rim) and can't shoot more than a 9-footer. So he gets frustrated and then ends up changing his shooting form. Then I have to try to change his form back to the correct form. It has already happened 3-4 times over the last 12 months. How do I deal with this situation? I don't want him to use the wrong form so he can shoot farther but when CYO or Travel season comes around, he will be using a 28.5 ball on a 10-foot rim. Thank you for any feedback.

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Jeff Haefner says: 4/30/2018 at 8:20:08 PM This is a battle most coaches and parents deal with. I don't have a good answer. My son did the same thing... he wanted to play with his friends. Until the rules change for the leagues and tournaments... it's just something you deal with. I'm always telling my son not to shoot 3s. He was convinced he could shoot them with proper technique. I filmed him shoot 3s and played back in slow motion using Coaches Eye app. Then he saw how jacked up his form was!! Until then he didn't believe me. Just keep encouraging him to stay close, use good form, and be patient. Like     login   register

Thank you for creating this site. My grandson loves playing basketball, and he's playing this year. I've not played in over 45 years, and I've forgotten more than I can say (and sports always evolve) so I can use all the advice I can get to help my grandson.

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Looking for a custom imprinted basketball for a league serving kids and adults with Special Needs. Obviously we are on a budget so price is also a concern. Willing to go as small as size 1 if needed.

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i am 5ft 2 adult so should i go for Size 5 ball than Size 7
which is very uncomfortable for me to handle as well as shoot

tried with size 6; it is fine so i am considering going 1 size lower

Also isnt it unfair for shorter people to have hoop mounted at 10ft from ground? maybe 9 ft

this is one major reason Basketball is hardly even played or is popular in majority of Asian countries; Western population with average height of touching 6ft or so and Asians in range of 5.3/5.4

kids start playing it; but eventually as they see they can hardly score points; over a period of time they give up in frustration and choose some other sport

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Where can I purchase the Size 1 Ball with weight of 8oz (micro mini basketball)
I have not seen it in any store or internet

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This article mentions the fact that some younger youth may not be strong enough for a bigger ball and will therefore resort to using incorrect form to get the ball up, which I agree with. What about a 7th grader who plays AAU ball with a men's ball and middle school ball with a women's ball? Will the difference in size and weight of the ball affect his shooting? Will his muscle memory be affected?

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