If you’ve ever wondered, “What size basketball for 12 year old?”—you’re not alone! This is also a matter of concern for many coaches and parents because 12 years old is the transition period from youth basketball to higher levels. At this age, children will begin to develop important skills and the wrong size ball can affect their development.
Whether your child is just practicing dribbling in the backyard or wants to join a professional team, a basketball with the right size is extremely necessary. In this article, we will guide you on how to choose the perfect basketball for young players.
What Size Basketball for 12 Year Old Kids?
The appropriate basketball size for a 12 year old is a size 6 which measures 28.5” and weighs 20 oz. A size 6 basketball is appropriate for boys ages 12-14 and girls ages 12 and up. This is the official basketball size for girls’ high school, college, and many professional leagues. Boys in middle school typically play size 6 basketballs through high school.
A size 6 basketball is larger than the size 5 ball that kids typically play between ages 9-11. A larger-sized ball will help kids develop better ball control, build muscle, encourage focus, and provide a foundation for moving to higher levels of play. Basketball size is just as important as the basketball hoop height or gear used during practice. Therefore, you need to choose the right ball size for your child to develop best.
Basketball Sizes Chart by Age
To help you better understand what size basketball for 12 year old, Sportsixth will provide details on ball sizes for different ages.
| Basketball Size | Circumference | Weight | Ages |
| Size 7 | 29.5″ | 22 oz | Boys: 14+ |
| Size 6 | 28.5″ | 20 oz | Boys: 12 – 14Girls: 12+ |
| Size 5 | 27.5″ | 17 oz | 9 – 11 |
| Size 4 | 25.5″ | 14 oz | 5 – 8 |
| Size 3 | 22″ | 10 oz | 4 and under |
Basketball size 3
Size 3 is the smallest basketball size, often referred to as a mini novelty ball. A size 3 basketball measures 22″ and weighs about 10 oz. Size 3 is generally considered for children 4 years old and younger. However, children this age are not yet able to play basketball much, so this size ball is often used for display purposes.
Basketball size 4
Size 4 is a larger ball than size 3, about 25.5″, and weighs about 14 oz. This is a ball size for children aged 5-8 with a moderate size. Size 4 will help children get used to the ball and develop some basic basketball skills.
Basketball size 5
Size 5 is the standard ball size for kids to start playing basketball as a “real team”. A size 5 ball will be about 27.5″ in size and weigh about 17 oz. This size ball will be suitable for middle school age kids, ages 9 to 11. A size 5 ball will help kids get used to the rules of basketball and compete against opposing teams.
Basketball size 6
The size 6 ball is the answer to your question of what size basketball for 12 year olds. This ball size marks an important transition from children’s play to higher-level competition. The size 6 ball has a circumference of 28.5″ and weighs about 20 oz. This ball is usually for boys from 12 to 14 and girls over 12.
The size 6 ball will start to have a difference in circumference and weight for children to practice at a higher level. This is also the official ball size in girls’ high school, college, or professional team tournaments. Size 6 is also the official game ball for WNBA, NCAA, and FIBA women.
Basketball size 7
Size 7 is the largest basketball size and is for men only. A size 7 basketball will have a circumference of 29.5″ and weigh approximately 22 oz. This is the official size for men’s high school, college, and professional leagues. Size 7 is the official game ball size for the NBA, NCAA, and FIBA men’s basketballs.
Why is Correct Basketball Size Important?
Basketball is a complex skill-based sport, so choosing the right equipment is extremely important. And basketball size is no exception. A properly sized basketball will have two great benefits:
Proper Shooting Technique
Why do many people wonder what size basketball for 12 year olds is more than other ages? Because 12 is the age when children begin to transition from simple basketball games to more advanced and serious levels. This is also the time when children begin to develop important basketball skills. Therefore, a basketball of the right size is extremely necessary at this time.
A basketball that is too big can cause children to form bad skills such as shooting with two hands, placing their hands in the wrong position or chucking the ball instead of throwing. These bad habits will lead to incorrect shooting techniques in the long run and are very difficult to correct. Therefore, a basketball of the right size will help children practice the skills of controlling and shooting the ball properly.
Player Enjoyment
A properly sized basketball can also be fun. Imagine trying to shoot a bowling ball? Doesn’t sound like much fun, right? It’s like trying to get an 8-year-old to shoot a size 7 ball that’s too big for them. A ball that’s too big will make it harder for them to shoot, less successful, and more frustrating.
Tips for Choosing the Right Basketball
To help answer the question of what size basketball for 12 year old in the most detailed way, Sportsixth will reveal to you tips on choosing the right basketball.
Consider the playing surface: You need to consider the playing area to choose the right basketball. Leather basketballs will bring great feeling and better grip on smooth surfaces such as indoor playgrounds. Meanwhile, rubber balls will be more suitable for outdoor playgrounds because they are more durable and suitable for rough terrain.
Check the grip: You should also check the grip when choosing a basketball, especially for young players. If your child is young and does not control the ball well, you should choose a ball with a high grip so that your child can get used to the ball first.
Check the inflation: Inflation is also an important factor you need to pay attention to when choosing a basketball. The appropriate inflation for sizes 6 and 7 is usually from 7.5 – 8.5 psi. The inflation for sizes 4 and 5 is around 7.0 – 8.0 psi. Over-inflated balls will be too hard and difficult to control, while under-inflated balls will not bounce.
Try before you buy: Last but not least, try before you buy. Let your child try the ball to see if it fits their hand size and skill level.
Wrap Up
Hopefully, this article has helped you understand what size basketball for 12 year olds is. The most suitable basketball size for 12 year olds is size 6 with a circumference of 28.5″ and weighs about 20 oz. Size 6 is for boys aged 12-14 and girls over 12. This is the right size for children to start practicing more advanced and complex skills.
Size 6 is also the official ball size for girls in high school, college, and professional teams. If you want to practice professional ball control like NBA players, you can try practicing with size 7. Don’t forget to save the tips we have shared to choose the perfect basketball for you!