Choosing your competition balls

1 - The most important : the material

There are three possible metals : carbon steel, stainless steel, bronze

Carbon steel : excellent grip but still likely ro rust. The anti-corrosion surface treatment generally applied to those balls will wear with use and ground friction. It therefore requires more care to maintain.

Stainless steel : a smoother touch, no risk of rust, better longevity, low maintenance.

Bronze : for very tender balls but therefore more sensitive to markings on the surface of the ball.

2 - The diameter

This is your first purchase of competition balls : you do not know the diameter adapted your morphology ? Use our full-size tool to determine the proper diameter of the ball here. (document to be printed at full size).

In general, a person practicing competition already knows his/her favorite diameter and knows from experience that he/she can play between 72 and 73 millimeters in diameter, or only 76 for example.
If you want to change the diameter of ball, some tips are proposed to you a little further down this page.

You want to change the diameter ?
You should know that there is a difference in feeling between a small and a big ball of the same weight !
This makes perfect sense because the weight is distributed differently in the hand : weight for weight, the density of a small ball is more important than a big ball.
So beware if you decrease your size, we recommend reducing weight to keep a constant density : this will allow you to keep a similar sensation in hand. Conversely, if you increase the diameter of your ball, you can increase the weight of it to keep it similar to the one you have now in hand feeling.

3 - The hardness of the material : the specification of the Federation imposes a hardness greater than 110 kg per square millimeters.
The more your ball is tender, the more likely you will see your ball bounce. You will more often touch the opposing ball in case of a too short shooting.
New hardnesses : since fews years, manufacturers are offering balls with a layer harder than other layer of the ball. These balls have the advantage of an extended longevity because the harder layer is protecting against abrasion caused by field. And not least : these models are less prone to metal shards that can sometimes make the ball sharp.

4 - The weight
Standard weights are between 680 and 710 grams.

• Shooters prefer light weights : usually 680 or 690 grams.

• Pointers prefer a slightly heavier weight : 700 grams and above.

A phenomenon to consider when replacing your threesome balls : a normal wear and tear of your game makes your ball loose weight.
For example, half-tender ball that plays every day can lose up to 1 gram per month ! Be sure to take into account the possible wear your triplet at renewal.
Good to know : a ball that weight less than 15 grams than the weight engraved on it is no longer registered !

• Do you want to change the weight of your ball ? 

The consequences of a change of weight of the ball diameter :

• You take heavier balls :
  - In shooting, the ball will do more damage while landing, the target if affected will go further and will be even more far from the goal.
  - At the point it will go less far from its data more easily and it will stop.

• You lighten your ball :
  - In shooting, it will less weight to throw and therefore less effort to your arm. Result : you gain endurance.
  - At the point, the choice of the data must be well thought out to avoid unfortunate bounces that will be more consistent.

• You want to buy two triples, one for shooting and one for the point ?

Choose a frankly light ball for shooting and a weight above 700 grams for the point.

5 - The striations

The balls can be more or less striated.
Striations bring an aesthetic plus. It also helps to recognize your play on the field at first glance.
There are striations of various density. The more striations there are over the ball, the quickier it will stop.
Good to know : the striations are finer over Obut than La Boule Bleue balls.

You want to switch from a smooth ball to a striped ball or vice versa?
Beyond the obvious aesthetic plus, the impact on the distance before stopping the ball has to be taken into account. The striations are very popular with players who want to recognize their balls at first glance. Also think about customizing your balls.