Generally, volleyball is a fun game, and it can be more when you think about winning, serving, digging, and smashing. Honestly, recreational volleyball players don’t mind if they’re playing with a soccer ball or volleyball.
However, you should know that both soccer balls and volleyballs are different. Athletes know better that they are for separate games and have different textures.
Since they are not quite the same, is it okay for you to keep using a soccer ball as a volleyball? Well, before you and your team do that, you should know a few things.
You should know if using a different ball affects your game in any way. In this article, we’ll let you know if it’s okay to use a soccer ball as a volleyball. Also, you’ll get to know the pros and cons of doing that.
Let’s get into it.
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Can You Use A Soccer Ball As A Volleyball?
Yes, you can use a soccer ball as a volleyball. This isn’t quite new because people have been using soccer balls as an alternative to volleyball.
They have the same size and almost look like volleyballs. However, they also have some features that differ in some ways. Let’s check out their features below:
Features
Bounce
Both balls bounce alright. With just a tap, you can get the soccer ball to go the direction you want it to go. However, soccer balls don’t bounce as much as volleyball. Therefore, you would need to put in extra effort to tap them into the direction you want them to go.
Stability
Since you play a soccer ball with your feet, it has more stability than a volleyball. Also, their weight and size contribute more to the soccer ball’s stability.
Since it is more stable, it can balance on your hand for you to hit them appropriately, making it fit for volleyball.
Accuracy
If you play volleyball with a soccer ball, your hits are less likely to be accurate. This is because both soccer balls and volleyballs have different textures.
Their textures contribute to the kind of sports that people use them for. For example, since a soccer ball is heavier and bigger than a volleyball, your hits are less accurate.
If you’re playing a serious game and want to play more accurately, you should reconsider using a soccer ball as a volleyball.
Size
When you look at both soccer balls and volleyballs from a distance, they may look quite the same. However, their sizes differ.
A soccer ball has a circumference of about 27″ to 28″, while a volleyball has 25.5″ and 26.3″. Their differences might seem insignificant, causing you not to notice when you’re playing.
However, if you’re a professional volleyball player or aren’t playing for fun, you may feel uncomfortable using a soccer ball. On the other hand, you may not care much if you’re playing for fun.
So, you can use a soccer ball as a volleyball.
Layers
Both soccer balls and volleyballs have different layers, contributing to their thickness and how well they’ll perform. For instance, a typical soccer ball has three layers, while a volleyball has two layers.
Soccer balls’ three layers include the bladder, internal lining, and outer lining, while volleyball has only the bladder and external layer.
In a soccer ball, the bladder is the air inside the ball, while the internal lining is either foam, cotton, or polyester, which allows the ball to bounce.
Additionally, the external layer is a form of synthetic leather that makes the ball more durable. Since a soccer ball can bounce and has a durable outer layer, you can use it in place of a volleyball if you need to.
Weight
Volleyballs are lighter than soccer balls because they need to fly high and bounce better. A soccer ball weighs between 410g to 450g, while a volleyball weighs 260g to 280g. You can see that their weight is quite obvious, so it may not bounce as much as a volleyball due to a soccer ball’s weight.
Also, for them to fly above the net, you may have to kick them with more energy. If you’re fine doing that, you can use a soccer ball instead of a volleyball. However, when you consider their weight, you shouldn’t play volleyball with a soccer ball.
Softness
Volleyballs are softer than soccer balls. Since you play volleyball with your hands, they need to be soft and gentle.
On the other hand, people play soccer balls with their legs, so they are not as soft. This could be a warning signal that soccer balls won’t be gentle on your hands.
However, if it’s just a recreational activity or you’re practicing on your own and nothing serious, you can use a soccer ball instead of a volleyball.
Features | Soccer ball | Volleyball |
Bounce | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
Stability | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ |
Accuracy | ⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
Size | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ |
Layers | ⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐ |
Weight | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ |
Softness | ⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
Pros Of Playing Volleyball With A Soccer Ball
Durability
Soccer balls’ textures make them durable. As earlier stated, since people usually kick them with their feet, they need to be durable to last through the game.
On the other hand, volleyballs are softer and gentle since people hit them with their hands. So, you can play volleyball with soccer balls for as long as you want. However, you may not get the same effects that volleyballs will give you.
They have the same effects
One good advantage of soccer balls is that you can use them and still get almost similar results. This is because they have the same makeup with little variances.
You can kick a soccer ball over the net, serve, dig, and strike with them. Even though they may not bounce or go high as volleyballs, you could use them when you lack another alternative.
Waterproof designs
Soccer balls are just like volleyballs in terms of waterproofing. That is, they don’t soak up water within themselves. You can play them outdoors close to the beach without worrying about them getting soaked.
Cons Of Playing Volleyball With A Soccer Ball
Messes with volleyball moves
Of course, you can play volleyball with a soccer ball. However, they don’t make the perfect effects you need them to. For example, soccer balls are heavier and will impact your serving move. Plus, it requires additional force for them to go over the net to the opponent’s side.
Another thing is that soccer balls are larger than volleyballs. So, they may affect your strike moves. If you’re a professional volleyball player, you would know that your hand’s shape and size contribute to the accurate striking of the ball.
Then, to dig, you would need great reflexes and agility. While your reflexes and agility might be intact, you may not be able to predict the ball’s movement. Plus, it reduces your control over the ball’s movement from your opponent’s side.
It makes the game less fun
Playing volleyball with a soccer ball makes the game less fun. How? Their size and weight would require that you use more effort to play them than volleyball.
This will tire you quickly and make playing less fun. You would be more invested in pushing the ball to the other side at all costs than actually having fun.
If you aim to enjoy and win the game, you may end up doing the opposite. Additionally, it also slows the game’s pace down since soccer balls are heavier and travel slower through the air.
Can injure you
As we have stated, soccer balls are tougher and heavier than volleyballs and can inflict injury on you. Also, their textures are for harder impact since people kick them with their legs.
You would need to hit them with a lot of strength, making your wrist, fingers, and shoulders hurt. At the same time, their impacts on the body are harder than volleyballs, so you’d want to use them carefully.
You could end up with a bleeding nose or lips if someone hits your face with a soccer ball by mistake. While that may be normal with volleyballs, it could be worse for soccer balls since they’re heavier and thicker than volleyballs.
It contributes to fatigue and tiredness
Usually, when you are involved in physical activity or sport, you tend to use up a lot of strength. But playing a sport with a different tool can make the game more tedious, and that’s the case of using a soccer ball for a volleyball game.
Quick Summary
We have established that soccer balls are heavier and tougher, requiring a lot of strength to hit and win the game. They make your body and hands weak on time.
Soccer balls put a lot of pressure on your hands, forearms, fingers, and shoulders when you’re playing. So, when the ball affects them, you and others playing will get tired quickly, and the game may end faster than it ought to end.
In the end, while it’s possible to play volleyball with a soccer ball, they may not be the best option. It may be better for you to get a volleyball instead of playing with what is available.
Is It Bad To Practice Volleyball With A Soccer Ball?
It is not too bad to practice volleyball with a soccer ball, especially when it’s your only option. However, the better choice would be to practice using volleyball.
Why? First, you’re practicing with the wrong ball, and that could mess up things. Soccer balls are heavier and require that you hit them with a harder force.
Then, practicing with a soccer ball doesn’t always make you a better player at all. In the end, you are only using up a lot of energy to practice and be better at playing volleyball.
In addition, when you practice with a soccer ball, you may get tired easily and not enjoy your practice. If you can, try to practice using volleyball instead.
While it may not be bad for you to practice with a soccer ball, if you want to get better at volleyball and go pro, get a volleyball.
Is A Volleyball Harder Than A Soccer Ball?
No, volleyballs are softer than soccer balls. Soccer ball’s textures and markings are tougher than volleyballs. How? First, their textures are different. For instance, as stated earlier, a soccer ball has three layers, while a volleyball has two layers.
These layers contribute to their toughness. This makes them hard on the outside and less bouncy. So, if you want them to bounce very well, you have to hit them with a lot of force.
Then, soccer balls’ weight contributes to their hardness. Usually, soccer balls weigh between 410g and 450g which is about almost 200g difference from a volleyball. When you combine these, you end up with a hardball which is quite unfit for playing volleyball.
Conclusion
People play volleyball for different reasons. While some play it for fun when they’re outdoors, others play it as a profession.
Some days, you’ve probably had the option of playing volleyball with a soccer ball. So, of course, this makes you wonder if it’s okay for you to play volleyball with a soccer ball.
However, you should use real volleyball. This article discussed the features of soccer balls compared to volleyballs and how they can impact the game.
Also, we discussed the pros and downsides of playing volleyball with a soccer ball. In the end, we concluded that you could play volleyball with a soccer ball if there were no other options.
However, you’d have to deal with the downsides attached to it. So, if you want to enjoy volleyball or get better at it, it’s best if you play using volleyball.
Hi there, I’m Jay.
Soccer is everything in my life! My friends and I have created this blog with all our enthusiasm, passion, and understanding after years of playing pro soccer. Hope you will enjoy it!