I’ve been so curious when someone from the Spikeithard community mentioned that there will be a lot of changes in the game of volleyball. This includes a new volleyball design which will be adopted in 2009 if not sooner, as sanctioned by the World FIVB.
I’ve been searching the FIVB site but couldn’t find any glimpse of it. Then someone who knew about this pointed me to where we can see the new volleyball design. Here’s the new face of volleyball:
Mikasa MVA200
The photo above was taken from Nonstop Volleyball online shop. Here’s a description about the new volleyball:
FIVB Official Indoor game ball. Dimpled microfiber creates turbulence for a truer flight. 8 panel swirl design vs the current 18 panel allows for more contact surface area improving ball control. Cemented panel seams allows air between the cover and the carcass giving the ball a softer feel. Blue and Yellow colors are picked up faster by the human eye enabling faster reactions and more touches.
Excerpts from a press release over at the FIVB website:
The (FIVB) President showed an exclusive première to the Media: two new Mikasa balls, with amazing new design. “Together with our sponsor Mikasa, we’ve studied a new type of ball for our sport – said Dr. Acosta – and we will ask the teams to test the prototypes and report to us their feelings. Volleyball was the first sport to use a coloured ball and other sports followed us. Now it is time for new visions, with a new design and a different technological process that could affect positively not only the appeal of Volleyball, but also the ball control by players. Our plan is to use this new ball as a major change for the next Olympic Games in Beijing”.
The new Mikasa ball: technical guide
The new ball has been softened compared to the Mikasa MVP200. The panels shape has been completely redesigned. Cover material and the way of cementing carcass and panels have been changed: only line part, and not the complete carcass, is now glued.
The new ball was tested with the best available technologies by the laboratories from Mikasa. They report that new balls bounce higher with less impact-power (softer) due to improved constructions. Ball flying orbit got stable, avoiding sudden drop, thanks to new panel shape and cover material. Moreover, the new model fly stable with dimples on the cover (with panel shape change) and controllability when tossing and receiving was improved (found at field tests by Mikasa Corporation) with better gripping.
Two different designs were showed to the press and will be presented to World Cup teams, to ask for their opinion. One is similar to the typical Volleyball standard; one shows a more innovating look.
So this will be the new face of volleyball. If it sells at $47.99 in the US, I wonder how much it will cost over here in Manila. Anybody knows where we can get one locally?
If you’re a volleyball enthusiast, then you will surely want to upgrade your balls soon. (Hmm, that didn’t sound too good). What do you think about the new volleyball design?
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There are 31 comments to this entry
i’ve checked already toby sports and chris sports website and theyre still selling out theyre tri-colored mikasa,maybe someone could just order it from US and have it shipped here so we can try it na?!hehehe
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the new ball can be found at toby sport at edsa shangrila… uhhmm… it caused 1800 php… hehe… its harder to put power on it (dunno why?) and easier to handle!
i,ve seen and tried it yesterday in Toby’s Sports and i am really excited to own a new ball.they are selling 2 balls namely the competition ball(1600p) a bit smaller and heavier and the deluxe ball(1800p)standard size and weight,but in my opinion,it’s wasier to control the cheaper one and i think it’s the ball Shakey’s V-league is using ryt now in their games
i hope it’s fine to share this secret this early coz when i attended the National Open,Mr. Oti Camangian was really excited to surprise Philippine Coaches by unveiling The new Mikasa Design Later this month,so now,everybody that’ll visit this site wont be anymore surprise because of this news we shared here,hehehe
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It’s in the web naman eh like in the Mikasa Sports website so it’s really not much of a secret anymore
Kaw kasi eh!! hehehe…
ganda ah.. may dimples pa…
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I think this will be use in the Beijing Olympics (indoor volleyball)
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You’re right, this new MVA200 volleyball design is to be used in the 2008 Beijing Olympics as discussed during the World FIVB Congress
I wonder if those small dimples will have a huge effect on the ball’s speed while in mid-air…
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Heard about this also!
I think this is one of the major changes in the sport…
I’m excited! Baka maging world champ na tayo dahil sa bola na yan!
Ahahahaha!
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According to FIVB Committee- They tried and tested this new Evolutionized and Scientifically designed Mikasa Volleyball- Part No. MVA 200- Tokyo, 5th November 2007 - The FIVB President reported details on the latest news from the FIVB including the new FIVB premises in Lausanne, the FIVB World Congress 2008 in Dubai, a new colour ball designed for the Olympic Games and the respect of the right of young players to play for local clubs of their country implementing a limitation of players affiliated to other National Federations.
The President of the FIVB, Dr. Rubén Acosta H, has invited today some of the major Media who were in Tokyo for the World Cup 2007 to have a meeting lunch: questions were raised by the written press, radio and TV journalists and Dr. Acosta explained his view for the future of Volleyball.
“First of all, I should say that we’re very proud of our new premises “Chateau Les Tourrelles”” said the President. “We will have the official opening in April. My wife Malù was the supervisor of the magnificent restyle of one of the most wonderful castles in Switzerland. We will offer meeting and working facilities to the FIVB Family and one of the most modern installations in a sport organization office”.
“Opening the FIVB to every member of the Media is our most important policy, especially the written press, to come closer to Volleyball, to follow our events and share ideas. We were the first sport organisation ever which allowed journalists to join our Board and Congress since Acapulco 2004 and we hope to do the same for our next World Congress 2008 in Dubai”
Then the President showed an exclusive première to the Media: two new Mikasa balls, with amazing new design. “Together with our sponsor Mikasa, we’ve studied a new type of ball for our sport – said Dr. Acosta – and we will ask the teams to test the prototypes and report to us their feelings. Volleyball was the first sport to use a coloured ball and other sports followed us. Now it is time for new visions, with a new design and a different technological process that could affect positively not only the appeal of Volleyball, but also the ball control by players. Our plan is to use this new ball as a major change for the next Olympic Games in Beijing”.
One of the most important comments in the last weeks was the press release where the FIVB announced the limitation of foreign players on the court in clubs competitions. “We will forward this proposal to our next Board of Administration in March but I would like to stress that our first goal is to protect the young players’ right to play which is the key point: we need to promote local players, who will represent their country in our sport, to reach the court earlier in their career and not to be blocked by players affiliated to other Federations. National identity is reinforced through sports, and the last decision by the European Community in Porto seems to go in our same direction. We don’t want to stop the world’s top players to play in the best Leagues, but we will propose to the Board of Administration to have in each team a maximum of three players affiliated to another National federation, and a maximum of two on the court. In this way, younger players will have more opportunities to play at top level in their own countries side by side with the best players from any country.”
The President resumed all the next top FIVB events: 2008 World Grand Prix Final in Japan, the World Olympic Qualification to be stage in Japan in May and the World League Final in July2008 in Brazil, Grand Champions Cup in November 2009, Women’s World Championships 2010 in Japan and Men’s World Championships in Italy and World Cup 2011 in November in Japan. “I’m looking forward to the next Olympic Games in Beijing. In Athens we had more than 3.5 Billion of TV viewers for Volleyball and Beach Volleyball. I’d like to reach 4 Billions next year. Anyway, we’re also focused on London 2012. We managed to convince the Organizing Committee to have Beach Volleyball out of the Olympic park and bring it near Buckingham Palace, on the Royal Guards Parade. It will be a fantastic spot for Beach Volleyball”.
The new Mikasa ball: technical guide
The new ball has been softened compared to the Mikasa MVP200. The panels shape has been completely redesigned. Cover material and the way of cementing carcass and panels have been changed: only line part, and not the complete carcass, is now glued.
The new ball was tested with the best available technologies by the laboratories from Mikasa. They report that new balls bounce higher with less impact-power (softer) due to improved constructions. Ball flying orbit got stable, avoiding sudden drop, thanks to new panel shape and cover material. Moreover, the new model fly stable with dimples on the cover (with panel shape change) and controllability when tossing and receiving was improved (found at field tests by Mikasa Corporation) with better gripping.
Two different designs were showed to the press and will be presented to World Cup teams, to ask for their opinion. One is similar to the typical Volleyball standard; one shows a more innovating look.
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This post has just been updated. Thank you sir for the additional info.
[...] 31st FIVB World congress General Assembly have approved some rule changes, including the new Mikasa ball, that we will witness this coming Olympic games. The General Assembly unanimously approved an [...]
Sonia trading Inc will be the exclusive distributor of the new Mikasa ball after the Olympic Games. Sonia trading is located at Sonak Center in Sucat Paranaque. I have already saw personally the 4 different kinds samples of the new Mikasa balls — MVA 200, MVA 230, MVA 300, and MVA 330. The prices of these new balls will be determined after the Olympic games. Sonia trading doesn’t want to spoil the much awaited introduction in Beijing Olympics. However, sonia trading have already conducted a summit with the different coaches early this month to introduce the new Mikasa ball.
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Sonak Trading happens to be the official distributor of Mueller athletic tapes I think. Ricthe, as soon as the new volleyball becomes available, bili tayo!!
sali niyo ako, i really want to have one…
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wla lang..
feu dn e!
pvf already has the balls but i dont think gagamitin pa sya maybe after the olympics pa.
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Ginamit na pala yung Bagong New Balls! Sana nasa Beijing tayo nakita natin pano lumipad yung Bola…
Visit http://www.fivb.org na lang po.
Keep the Ball Flying!
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siya nga pala, may bola na ako galing MiKasa..
KeyChain nga lang.
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Haha!
[...] August 23, 2008, our group in Ateneo, who plays every Tuesday and Saturday, used the very MVA 200 Mikasa ball now being used in the Beijing Olympics. We are proud to say that we were the very first [...]
Greetings,
In technical guide u mentioned that mva 200 flight orbit is more stabilize,no more sudden drops.As being volleyball coach i have only one comment.Unstable flight path or orbit is perfection in services,specially in women volleyball.This innovation will simplify receives and if i can freely say it can jeopardize art of performing one of the most respected and loved elements in volleyball practice and science.Why is it removed?
Looking forward to hear from you,
Zlatan
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You mean with the new volleyball design, you can no longer do “floater” serves? So receiving the ball coming from a service will be a lot easier then…
“Floater” service will still be there ,only it path will not be so unpredicted,so yes receiving will be more easier…
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I am sure that designers consider all options in making the new ball more softer and better gripping ,why not improved its path to be more re critical(unpredicted,more sudden drops)hitting the ball harder and faster is no science.
gods speed!!!
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It looks nice & feels good. Have not played with it yet & they are impossible to find. From reading your article I feel disappointed that they felt that they needed to design a ball with a truer flight. Not everyone can jump serve! But anyone can serve a floater & if you can get it going, its hard to receive even for very skilled players
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I have played with the new ball a total of 3 hours. My first impression I must say was disappointing. I found that it feels like a cheap rubbery ball, just a few grades up from the actual rubber ones you might find in a discount volleyball/badminton ball, raquets, and net set. It seemed exceptionally lighter than I am used to. It does not play that bad thankfully, but it did have issues. Despite what the makers claim, I found this ball to float and especially sink MORE than a standard leather 18 panel. I had a wicked floater with this thing that almost acted like a sinker pitch in baseball. It was MORE difficult to receive for me. I also found it did not bounce off the pass as well and I had to push it to get it to the net. I will have to try different inflations and see if that changes. I do like it better for visibility and easier setting though, along with serving (obviously.)
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the design is really nice. Suitable for volleyball.. i want to buy one!
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wula?
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