How to Keep a Basketball From Losing Air

While a basketball will become deflated and lose its balance after several months, you can follow a series of steps that will keep your basketball inflated longer than former NBA player Manute Bol, who stood at 7 feet 6 inches. When stored properly and with careful handling, you can improve the longevity of an inflated basketball. A properly inflated basketball is necessary to achieve as much bounce as is needed for a match.

Things You'll Need

  • Basketball air pump
  • Pressure gauge
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Instructions

    • 1

      Store your basketball in a warm area. The cooler the temperature, the more the air inside the basketball will expand and leak.

    • 2

      Don't kick the basketball. Unlike soccer balls, basketballs aren't meant to be kicked and can deflate much more quickly when they are exposed to extra force.

    • 3

      Pump your basketball up on a regular basis. A basketball should have approximately 8 psi, which is measured by inserting a pressure gauge into the needle opening.

    • 4

      Don't bounce the basketball. While this seems like it would defeat the purpose of owning a basketball, a signed basketball, for example, should not be bounced so that you can maintain the physical integrity of the ball.