The FiVB Ball Approval System
 

Have you ever wondered about the FiVB (Federation Internationale De Volley Ball) mark on a volleyball. What does it mean etc.  

Well there are actually 6 marks made available by the FiVB and they are (starting from lowest to highest rated) :

UPDATE: As of 08.08.08 there is a new classification for the Ultimate level of approval and this is known as "FiVB Official Game Ball".

 

                            

  1. I.V.B.F. official size weight

  2. F.I.V.B. official size weight

  3. FiVB Official Ball

  4. FiVB Official Inspected

  5. FiVB Approved

  6. FiVB Exclusive Approved

  7. FiVB Official Game Ball
 
 
I.V.B.F.

official size weight

 

  
I.V.B.F. official size weight Volleyballs
  • This rating is really just an information one, that the ball is said to be "official size and weight" as regulated by the FiVB as it used to known as "International Volley Ball Federation".
  • These balls are generally stitched and come from India / Pakistan.
  • A very old approval and does not mean anything these days, just a volleyball !
     
 
 
F.I.V.B.

official size weight

 

  
F.I.V.B. official size weight Volleyballs
  • This rating is really just an information one, that the ball is "official size and weight" as regulated by the FiVB
  • You can always tell the difference from other marks as it has a "full stop" after each letter of the FiVB.
  • Basically just a volleyball !
     
 
 
 
FiVB Official Ball Volleyballs
  • Officially sanctioned by the FiVB
  • This rating is a special logo that can only be used on Mikasa Volleyballs informing players that this ball is part of the Mikasa group of Volleyballs that have manufactured to the highest specifications.
     
 
 
 
FiVB Official Inspected Volleyballs
  • Are Volleyballs that have been inspected by the FiVB and conform to their rigorous standards of quality and performance.
  • Currently there is only 1 volleyball that is in this category, the Mikasa SV-2 School Volleyball.
     
 
 
 
FiVB Approved Volleyballs
  • These volleyballs are used for World and Official competitions as well as National or League Championships must be played with FiVB Approved Volleyballs, unless by agreement if the FiVB.
  • The  Mikasa MVP200NC - where NC stands for National Competitions being suggested for such use by the FiVB.
 
 
                  
FiVB Exclusive Approved Volleyballs
  • This is the top level of Approval and there are only TWO  volleyballs in this category, the Mikasa MVP200, Exclusive game ball for all FiVB Indoor Competitions including the Olympic Games and the Mikasa VLS200, Exclusive game ball for all FiVB Beach Competitions including the Olympic Games.
  • Mikasa has been used at this level since 1964, when Indoor Volleyball first began as an Olympic Sport in Tokyo Japan and since the first Olympic games for Beach Volleyball in 1996.   

                    

 
 
   

             

 
FiVB Official Game ball Volleyballs
  • This is the new ultimate level of Approval and there are only TWO  volleyballs in this category, the Mikasa MVA200, Official Game Ball for all FiVB Indoor Competitions including the Olympic Games and the Mikasa VLS200, Official Game Ball for all FiVB Beach Competitions including the Olympic Games.
  • This new rating came about so as not to contravene the EU's anti monopoly laws.
  • Mikasa is the FiVB Official Game Ball for the Beijing (2008) and London (2012) Olympic Games.   

                    

 
 
 

 

  
Leather Versus Synthetic
  • Please note that the FiVB no longer approves ANY leather volleyballs, not since the start of 2005.
  • The softness and general "feel" of today's synthetic leather is far superior to that of "Natural Leather".
  • So why do we think leather is better than synthetic .... it's just a personal thing, a remembrance of a bygone era of earlier days when "synthetic leather" was not really that good at all ! But please be assured that today's synthetic leather is now far superior !
  • Colours remain brighter for longer, have a look at your leather volleyball for yourself.
  • maintenance wise synthetic is easier to look after than leather.
  • Synthetic leather contains no environmentally harmful substances.
  • A Leather ball is unstable in quality and greatly depends on where it is taken from, whereas synthetic leather is perfectly stable, this is why the FiVB no longer approves leather for competition use (since 2005).  

                               

 

 

 

MIKASA THE CHOICE OF THE OLYMPICS