When playing basketball, surely every player is always looking for ways to improve his basketball skills. The good news for those who are passionate about this sport is the appearance of smart basketball integrated into the application. In the new age, technology is the standard of everything and devices are developed to perform tasks quickly and easily. In which the idea of a smart basketball for practice is perfect. In this article, we have compiled some of the most outstanding smart basketballs on the market for your reference.
What is Smart Basketball?
Smart basketball looks like a regular basketball but is integrated with modern technology to monitor player performance and skills. It is equipped with an embedded optical instrument to measure the bounce of a basketball. These basketballs record nearly all types of player movement whether passing, dribbling or hitting the ball. Speed, impact and range are precisely measured to help players know what they are falling short of by professional standards.
Smart Basketball is paired with an app to give players live virtual training sessions right in their homes. Training sessions will improve the player’s overall stamina and confidence when playing actual games. This app works with most phones and tablets so no need to worry about compatibility issues. The ball is wrapped in synthetic leather for durability and good bounce. In the future, smart basketball will be widely used. Many amateur and professional athletes are using it to open the door to modern training.
How does Smart Basketball work?
Smart basketball works by attaching an embedded chip with an optical marker sensor. This sensor will detect all forms of movement from the ball. The collected data is then transmitted to a processor that can understand and analyze the raw data. This process is usually done using Bluetooth technology to send information to your phone or tablet. Next, the application will use AI-based technology to convert the data into a visual representation. One of the main focuses of smart basketball is dribbling. Some of the patterns it can track are the speed and force of a dribble, the pitch of a return, and the arc.
The aim is to provide a guide for players to see their behavior as well as their wrong moves. Today’s smart basketball apps also come with live classes that you can join from your mobile device. Producers will hire professional basketball coaches to teach these online classes. Usually, there are up to 30 classes at different skill levels for you to choose from. There are goals set for you to stay focused in practice. You can even compete with your friends on leaderboards.
What is Weighted Basketball used for?
The dumbbell basketball is a resistance training device. The ball typically weighs more than twice the weight of a normal basketball, about 1.4 lbs. It helps you develop stronger fingers, wrists and forearms. The ultimate goal of using weighted basketball is to develop your strength so you can have better control of the basketball. In terms of size, there is no difference between a regular basketball and a weighted basketball.
These weighted balls have the same official dimensions as regular basketballs. The materials used are similar. When performing passing exercises with a weighted basketball, improves the player’s forward vision and a better sense of the ball’s position. Weighted basketballs are a great tool to get your arms working. This will help you train strength around your forearms for long-range shots.
Review the top 6 best Smart Basketballs
DribbleUp Basketball with Virtual Trainer App
The DribbleUp basketball is made of ultra-durable microfiber synthetic leather. It has an embedded optical marker that pairs very well with the mobile app. Embedded optical markers provide very accurate live ball tracking. This smart basketball has a regulated basketball size and weight. Its standout feature is that virtual trainers are available and can easily be popped up at any time of the day. In addition, the live ball tracking and virtual speedometer are quite accurate. Basketball and the app are easy to use. You start by scanning the basketball on the app and follow the instructions that follow. Overall, this Smart Basketball is suitable for beginners as well as those who want to further improve their ball-handling skills.
Pros
- Durable outer shell
- Pairs well with both iOS and Android
- Suitable for both beginners and seasoned players
Cons
- Loss of connection when out of view of the camera
- The tracking system is often faulty
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Spalding TF-Trainer Weighted Basketball
The Spalding TF-Trainer weighted basketball is made of synthetic leather. The outer shell is durable yet smooth and soft to the touch. Its weight is about 3 pounds similar to other weighted basketballs. It has a good and precise bounce with a good texture. If you’re doing recovery exercises, the texture of the Spalding TF-Trainer is great on the fiberglass backboard. Moderate weight to strengthen your arms to grab the bounce. Spalding has a long history of producing high-quality basketballs, and the TF-Trainer is no exception.
Pros
- Perfect synthetic leather
- Good bounce and grip
Cons
- Not suitable for outdoor practice
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Wilson X Connected Best Smart Basketball
An incredibly reliable smart basketball made by the Wilson company to provide enhanced coaching features. It is integrated allowing you to measure your stats accurately. This system is also very good at tracking where the user shoots so that it is easy to know the positions that the player needs to make. In addition, automatic game modes are introduced to make your practice more enjoyable. The remote app is compatible with both iPhone and Android, so you can run it on any device. The ball’s physical features are standard. It measures 29.5 inches and weighs approximately the same as a normal basketball.
Pros
- Standard weight and dimensions
- 4 different game modes
- Compatible with all devices
Cons
- The battery cannot be replaced
- Suitable for short training sessions
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SKLZ Control Training Basketball
SKLZ Controller Training Basketball is made of good quality and quite durable synthetic leather used for both indoor and outdoor. Its weight is 3Ibs, almost twice that of a normal basketball. In terms of texture and bounce, it is quite similar to a standard basketball. This helps your practice, so you won’t have to adjust too much when participating in actual games. This basketball is black, making it easy to distinguish it from other regular balls. For your other training needs, SKLZ also offers smaller lightweight basketballs for improved hand speed and ball recognition.
Pros
- Made of durable synthetic leather
- Great grip and bounce
- Black for easy identification
Cons
- Not suitable for beginners
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SiQ Best Smart Basketball
Without a doubt, the SiQ Smart Basketball is undoubtedly the most authentic smart basketball available on the market. it can track every step as well as every movement that you make. The basketball app and the mobile app together can calculate the speed of each shot. Furthermore, there are unlimited ways to record your gameplay from different angles. This system is equally effective at recording the rotation of the ball, the throw range and the angle of each shot fired. The ball is made of synthetic leather so it won’t wear out easily over time. Furthermore, the SiQ mobile app has a monthly subscription that gives you full access to all kinds of training tutorials and tips.
Pros
- Made from synthetic leather
- Approved by FIBA
- Various training features
Cons
- Not compatible with certain devices
- Application registration required
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Baden SkilCoach Heavy Trainer Rubber Basketball
Baden SkilCoach Heavy Trainer Rubber Basketball is made of rubber. This is a very durable material for outdoor use. One of its distinguishing features is its affordable price. In addition, it is very good to use on rough surfaces. This is also a good choice if you want to improve your street dribbling and bouncing skills. In terms of weight, this ball is almost twice the size of a normal rubber basketball. Overall, this is a good quality budget-weighted basketball for outdoor workouts.
Pros
- The rubber outer shell is quite durable
- Affordable price
Cons
- Needs to be cleaned continuously to keep the grip
- Slightly slippery when wet or damp
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Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a Smart Basketball cost?
Smart basketballs offer better value than regular basketballs. It has sensors built inside along with professional coaches, these features make smart basketballs cost more. In general, smart basketballs cost between $150 and $220. More expensive models have better features like extended game modes and experienced coaches.
How to play Smart Basketball?
I’m sure many people are curious about this. People often think it will be difficult to operate a technological basketball, but the process is actually quite simple. First, open the box and wipe the ball clean. Next, proceed to install the mobile application and try to connect it to the basketball. Once done, place your cell phone at one end of the field and start recording your movements. The basketball will analyze all the necessary statistics and then automatically send them to the mobile application.
Is there an indoor and outdoor smart basketball?
Indoor and outdoor basketball in men’s and women’s sizes are available, allowing players of all ages to participate. We had tracked over 2 million shots from players all over the world as of September 2021, and that number is growing every day.
In short, Smart basketball is a great thing to have in your sports equipment collection as it can provide you with all the basic benefits that you would get with hiring a coach. This smart basketball with a mobile app offers convenience like no other basketball brand. You just need to connect to the app and start practicing at any time of the day. As a result, selecting the best product is critical. Whatever product you purchase, keep your needs in mind because the best basketball is always the one that fulfills your desires.
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