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A volleyball is a ball used to play indoor volleyball, beach volleyball, or other less common variations of the sport. Volleyballs are round and traditionally consist of eighteen nearly rectangular panels of synthetic or genuine leather, arranged in six identical sections of three panels each, wrapped around a bladder. However, in 2008, the FIVB adopted as its official indoor ball a new Mikasa with dimples and only eight panels for a softer touch and truer flight. A valve permits the internal air pressure to be adjusted.
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Volleyball characteristics
Indoor volleyballs are designed for the indoor version of the sport, and beach volleyballs for the beach game.
Indoor volleyballs may be solid white or a combination of two or three different easily distinguishable colors. They are made in two versions: the youth version is slightly smaller and weighs much less than an adult volleyball and than the standard version to accommodate youth's use.
Beach volleyballs are slightly larger than standard indoor balls, have a rougher external texture, and a lower internal pressure. They can be brightly colored or solid white. The very first volleyballs were made from leather paneling over a rubber carcass.
Major brands
There are several brands of competitive volleyballs in use, including, but not limited to:
Most of these brands also make cheaper variations for recreational (non-competitive) use.