There are primarily three ways to inflate a basketball with a needle. You can inflate the basketball with a hand pump, a bicycle pump, or an electric pump. They are somewhat tricky, but with the proper equipment and the right ways, you can learn how to inflate a basketball with a needle in the simplest way.
Inflating a basketball with a needle can be a hassle when you are unaware of the correct steps. A teeny-tiny mistake while inflating the basketball can hamper your game.
Now, we do not want our game to suffer for a small mistake relating to our equipment. We want to play our game in the best way possible and also win them.
Did you know that many people do not know how to inflate a basketball with a needle? Many learn the correct way after they suffer from a poor game due to an improperly inflated basketball.
Read below to know the best way to inflate a basketball with a needle.
Things You Will Need to Inflate a Basketball With a Needle
Correct materials/ items make a tremendous difference in how a basketball inflated. Here are the things that you will need to inflate a basketball with a needle:
1. Inflation Needle
You can find inflation needles at any store that sells mostly athletic equipment. You can also purchase them online.
2. Hand Pump/ Air Pump
Before purchasing any air pump, familiarise yourself with a hand pump, a bicycle pump, and an electric pump. All you need is a basketball pump that can connect to the inflation needle.
Some pumps have a built-in pressure gauge, but it is totally fine if your pump does not have one.
3. Inflation Gauge
This item is completely optional. If you want to make sure that your basketball is inflated with the proper amount of air, you can purchase an inflation gauge as well.
4. Basketball
Obviously, to inflate a basketball, you are going to need one.
Let us dive right into the correct ways to inflate a basketball with a needle.
The Right Way to Inflate a Basketball With a Needle
Before jumping into inflating your basketball with a needle, read and learn each and every step in order to avoid an imperfectly inflated basketball. Observe each step with patience, and then start your work.
Remember: patience is the most crucial step when doing anything new or learning anything new.
Step 1: Attach Your Inflation Needle and Air Pump
Before attaching your inflation needle to your air pump, know the type of pump that you will be using.
If you are using a hand pump, you do not have to fret at all as most of them will be threaded, and you can simply screw the needle onto the pump, and voila! You have your hand pump ready to pump air into your basketball.
If you are using a bicycle pump, it is most likely to have a connector with a latch. Simply insert your needle into the connector and tighten the latch to hold the needle in place. You are good to go.
Lastly, if you are using an electric air pump, you will notice that it has the same type of latch. Electric air pumps usually have a big industrial compressor that may need some type of adapter. Such materials may be complicated to use for some people, so feel free not to try inflating a basketball with an electric air pump.
Once you are done attaching your needle to your basketball in whichever type of air pump you are using, get started on inflating a basketball with a needle.
Step 2: Dampen the Inflation Needle
Now, this is a secret step. Not many of us are familiar with this trick.
Wet a paper towel and wipe the needle to moisten it. You can also run it under the water.
The trick is that the moisture in the needle allows the needle to glide into the valve more easily and also prevents any damage to the valve.
Step 3: Insert the Inflation Needle Into the Air Valve Hole
Slowly insert the inflation needle into the air valve hole. Make sure the needle is all the way in the valve.
Step 4: With All Your Might, Start Pumping the Ball
You are finally good to go. Start inflating your basketball but keep a few things in mind before that.
You will need to manually pump air into the ball if you are using a hand pump or a bicycle pump. You will soon find the ball filled with air.
Manually inflating a basketball is one of the best ways to inflate it with a needle.
But keep an eye out if you are using an electric pump. If left unmonitored, the ball will fill really quickly, and the overfilling will lead to the basketball popping and destroying it.
Step 5: Check the Air Pressure
Keeping a close eye on the air pressure is one of the prime steps in inflating a basketball with a needle. Keep one hand on the ball while you are inflating it to feel the pressure rise.
Step 6: Lastly, Check The Basketball’s Bounce
Finally, once we are done inflating the basketball, it is time to check how well the ball can bounce. Merely throw the ball in the court as you do in any other game and see how well the basketball can bounce.
The Importance of Inflating a Basketball Properly
An inflated basketball can make or break a game. You don’t want to play with a poorly inflated ball.
An underinflated basketball means heavier basketball, with a slower bounce and more forgiving to the rim leading to more baskets.
On the other hand, an overinflated basketball means harder to dribble and control, less room for error dribbling and shooting, and less likely to hit the rim and go in.
It is obvious that a ball can affect your game when it is not inflated the correct way. With the right amount of pressure, the right amount of air in the ball, and the appropriate materials, it can have a huge difference in your game.
Conclusion
Now that you have mastered the correct way to inflate a basketball with a needle, what are you waiting for? Go grab your basketball, inflate it with a needle, and steal the show!
