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Post by southbay11 on May 18, 2021 16:04:56 GMT -5
While I agree, both of those references get cut checks by Wilson... So this actually got even more interesting for me. At the time responding to southbay11 I wasn’t aware of who that was. Knowing that now, I also follow the men’s side more religiously than the women’s. Southbay’s opinion actually makes a lot of sense to me because the players feel like they can put out that much more of a killer float serve on the women’s net vs. on a men’s net where the additional height of the net makes service pressure with a float serve that much harder, so topspin serves are utilized more, the mikasa is seen as poor. Additionally, I’d argue similarly when it comes to shotmaking, on the men’s side with the ridiculous physicality of blockers the Wilson allows more shotty players to compete and doesn’t force players to go bang every ball vs. on the women’s side where I’d argue more shooting occurs, it forces more precision of shots on a lower net where more and more shots seem untouchable. **edit** the mikasa forces more precise shotmaking on the women’s side on a comparatively lower net and slower defenders covering less court. Sorry, I should have specifically said women. I listen to them talk about it all the time. It was conversation today because we had a chasing gold photo shoot this morning with Mikasa’s. Mikasa has been much more receptive to financially work with the players as well. The players have been getting shafted for too long by sponsors but, that’s a whole different discussion. I’ve seen 6 contracts in the last month that left me shocked.
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Post by KAP on May 19, 2021 7:46:49 GMT -5
Historically, I kind of view Mikasa in the same light as the FIVB, not really caring about the beach game. They wanted the exclusive contract with the FIVB to be the official game ball, and as a result, they throw a little money at the beach side, but the real money for them is from indoor.
I haven't played with the current FIVB beach ball, but I do not understand why they would design it with that weird, irregular panel pattern. I wouldn't think that it would be as balanced, which is my theory as to why it floats so irregularly. I could be wrong. A lot of aerodynamics goes into a float serve, but it could have something to do with it.
I think that this is the perfect time for Wilson to be making a run at cornering the market on beach volleyballs. With their main competition Stateside in Spalding moving out of the market, and AVP America brining in so many clubs and tournaments under their banner, now is the time to expand.
Wilson has always seemed to put their full resources behind the beach game here in America, and I would be pumped to see them break into the international scene!
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Post by southbay11 on May 25, 2021 17:35:54 GMT -5
Breaking News:
Mikasa has a new ball coming out that will be closer to that of the Wilson. So. Use up all your Mikasas before Fall. Lol
Also. It looks like the FIVB is sticking with Mikasa and going to the new ball.
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Post by KAP on May 26, 2021 10:21:12 GMT -5
Breaking News: Mikasa has a new ball coming out that will be closer to that of the Wilson. So. Use up all your Mikasas before Fall. Lol Also. It looks like the FIVB is sticking with Mikasa and going to the new ball. Good to know! It was hard to believe that the FIVB would switch over to Wilson on just the beach and keep the Mikasa for indoor. If another manufacturer wants to get that contract, they will have to have a good product for both. Even though I prefer the Wilson, I'm am kind of glad that it isn't going to be used internationally! I kind of like having uniquely American things that we do differently than everyone else in the world, like the imperial measurement system, or the Fahrenheit scale, or the order in which dates are written. You can say your system is better all you want, but there's no way we're switching, lol!
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Post by butteryhands on May 26, 2021 11:38:56 GMT -5
Frankly I liked the NVL Mikasa a lot. It has great texture and stays round even after lots of use. Maybe a bit bouncy but quite easy on the shoulder.
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Post by ramo2653 on May 26, 2021 11:41:43 GMT -5
I thought it was hilarious the other day when I was letting teams warm up before a rec league match I had to ref and one of the team's complained how hard the Mikasa VLS balls were so they wanted to use their own. But they brought an indoor Molten Flistatec which is one of the hardest balls I've ever played with (granted I love it because it's very reactive but not for outdoor play).
I do think that whatever the difference between the international Mikasa ball and the old NVL Mikasa was made the NVL ball nicer. I wonder if Menards is still selling them for $10 😂
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Post by butteryhands on May 26, 2021 12:03:21 GMT -5
I thought it was hilarious the other day when I was letting teams warm up before a rec league match I had to ref and one of the team's complained how hard the Mikasa VLS balls were so they wanted to use their own. But they brought an indoor Molten Flistatec which is one of the hardest balls I've ever played with (granted I love it because it's very reactive but not for outdoor play). I do think that whatever the difference between the international Mikasa ball and the old NVL Mikasa was made the NVL ball nicer. I wonder if Menards is still selling them for $10 😂 . Nope. I bought about twenty balls when they were on deep discount and my only regret was not buying more.
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Post by ramo2653 on May 26, 2021 13:58:00 GMT -5
I thought it was hilarious the other day when I was letting teams warm up before a rec league match I had to ref and one of the team's complained how hard the Mikasa VLS balls were so they wanted to use their own. But they brought an indoor Molten Flistatec which is one of the hardest balls I've ever played with (granted I love it because it's very reactive but not for outdoor play). I do think that whatever the difference between the international Mikasa ball and the old NVL Mikasa was made the NVL ball nicer. I wonder if Menards is still selling them for $10 😂 . Nope. I bought about twenty balls when they were on deep discount and my only regret was not buying more. Damn. I bought balls 3 years ago for my own use back then.
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Post by KAP on May 26, 2021 14:57:34 GMT -5
What I like about the Wilson ball is the control. It almost always takes the direction I'm steering it with my shoulders, rarely taking an unexpected direction off my platform like a more reactive ball does. I shoot more than I swing, too, and the Wilson is easier to manipulate. I'm not an open level player, so a faster, more explosive ball is not a plus for me. When someone can get up and crush the ball, I don't want it coming any harder at my face, lol!
The only complaint I have ever had with the Wilson is how dead it is when it's cold out. Here in Michigan, the first few weeks of league in late April/early May, the ball feels heavy and stings a bit if inflated all the way up to 3.5 PSI or higher. Doesn't have the same pop or action as when it's warmer out. That being said, it's only a problem when it's in the 40s or low 50s. I'm sure that applies to any ball, but less so to one that has more bounce to begin with.
I really liked the NVL Mikasa! It did keep it's shape well, even after a few years of use and expansion. If the new FIVB ball turns out similar to that, I would give it a try. I'm guessing they will wait to release it until after the Olympics or World Tour Finals.
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Post by gr8ful on May 27, 2021 21:32:50 GMT -5
Spalding AVP Top Flite 18...
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Post by qww on Jun 6, 2021 0:22:41 GMT -5
Breaking News: Mikasa has a new ball coming out that will be closer to that of the Wilson. So. Use up all your Mikasas before Fall. Lol Also. It looks like the FIVB is sticking with Mikasa and going to the new ball. Is this confirmed? Are you able to share sources? Would be really interesting to see what this new ball will be like!
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Post by beavis on Jun 6, 2021 2:10:00 GMT -5
Nice job being quantitative. If I wanted to you try and flex that you live in Cali and hang out with pros I would’ve just said so. Agree with Willbur that they are training with whatever their next event uses, and right now that’s fivb. Additionally, when honing ball control skills the mikasa is less forgiving. Let’s not confuse training objectives with preference. I’ve used the same tactic myself at an amateur level. Training with the mikasa made passing with the Wilson that much easier. Can’t wait to meet you. That will be fun There is a ton of people that Southbay "can't wait to meet," Stephenasinjin. I think that means that he is going to beat us all up.
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Post by barnacle on Jun 11, 2021 17:13:59 GMT -5
What I like about the Wilson ball is the control. It almost always takes the direction I'm steering it with my shoulders, rarely taking an unexpected direction off my platform like a more reactive ball does. I shoot more than I swing, too, and the Wilson is easier to manipulate. I'm not an open level player, so a faster, more explosive ball is not a plus for me. When someone can get up and crush the ball, I don't want it coming any harder at my face, lol! The only complaint I have ever had with the Wilson is how dead it is when it's cold out. Here in Michigan, the first few weeks of league in late April/early May, the ball feels heavy and stings a bit if inflated all the way up to 3.5 PSI or higher. Doesn't have the same pop or action as when it's warmer out. That being said, it's only a problem when it's in the 40s or low 50s. I'm sure that applies to any ball, but less so to one that has more bounce to begin with. I really liked the NVL Mikasa! It did keep it's shape well, even after a few years of use and expansion. If the new FIVB ball turns out similar to that, I would give it a try. I'm guessing they will wait to release it until after the Olympics or World Tour Finals. Oh cool another Michigander on the forum, where do you play?
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Post by KAP on Jun 14, 2021 7:10:54 GMT -5
What I like about the Wilson ball is the control. It almost always takes the direction I'm steering it with my shoulders, rarely taking an unexpected direction off my platform like a more reactive ball does. I shoot more than I swing, too, and the Wilson is easier to manipulate. I'm not an open level player, so a faster, more explosive ball is not a plus for me. When someone can get up and crush the ball, I don't want it coming any harder at my face, lol! The only complaint I have ever had with the Wilson is how dead it is when it's cold out. Here in Michigan, the first few weeks of league in late April/early May, the ball feels heavy and stings a bit if inflated all the way up to 3.5 PSI or higher. Doesn't have the same pop or action as when it's warmer out. That being said, it's only a problem when it's in the 40s or low 50s. I'm sure that applies to any ball, but less so to one that has more bounce to begin with. I really liked the NVL Mikasa! It did keep it's shape well, even after a few years of use and expansion. If the new FIVB ball turns out similar to that, I would give it a try. I'm guessing they will wait to release it until after the Olympics or World Tour Finals. Oh cool another Michigander on the forum, where do you play? I'm in West Michigan out of the Grand Rapids area. I'll message you!
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Post by ramo2653 on Jul 25, 2021 17:29:28 GMT -5
I've been playing the last few weeks with the Mikasa KOB ball and it's pretty nice, somewhere between NVL Mikasa ball and the Spaulding KOB ball.
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