FIVB Volleyball Approval System for Volleyballs

General Comments

What does FIVB mean ? Answer: Federation Internationale De Volley Ball

Who does the FIVB cover ? Answer: The FIVB consists of 220 affiliated Federations worldwide and governs and promotes all forms of Volleyball and Beach Volleyball worldwide. And they are separated into 5 continents. 56 in Europe, 34 in Norceca (North / Central America and Caribbean), 12 in South America, 53 in Africa and 56 in Asia. With Australia included in Asia.

What is used to keep a volleyball in a round shape ? Answer: There are two methods, Nylon Winding and Cotton Wrapped. Nylon winding is used on all International Standard Volleyballs, and Cotton Wrapped is used for Women's and Junior Volleyballs (due to it's softness, this is why the USA, Asia and Europe have different volleyballs for Women and Juniors and it costs less as well).

There are 6 marks that are still and have been used by the FIVB and they are (starting from highest to lowest rated). On the 08.08.08 (Chinese Olympics) there was a new classification for the Ultimate level of approval and this was firstly known as "FIVB Exclusive Game Ball", but due to monopoly rules of the EU was changed to "FIVB Official Game Ball". 

FIVB Official Game Ball Volleyballs - This is the ultimate level of Approval and there are only two volleyballs in this category, the Mikasa V200W (was the MVA200), Official Game Ball for all FIVB Indoor Competitions including the Olympic games and the Mikasa VLS300 Official Game Ball for all Beach Competitions including the Olympic Games. Mikasa was the FIVB Official Game Ball for Beijing (2008), London (2012), and Rio (2016) Olympic Games. Since volleyball started at the Olympic Games in 1964 only Mikasa and Tachikara have used with Molten being used as well during the Tokyo Olympics in 1964. 

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, these include Mikasa, Molten, Star, Gala and Penalty. In otherwords everything except the Olympics.

FIVB Official Inspected Volleyballs - Are volleyballs that have been inspected by the FIVB and conform to their rigorous standards of quality and performance. These balls ARE NOT official competition balls, (neither are they FIVB Approved) they have only been observed to pass FIVB Specifications that is all. Currently there are only 3 balls in this category, the Mikasa SV-2 / SV-3 School Volleyballs and the Kids Volleyball SKV5. Repeat these balls ARE NOT official competition balls.

FIVB Official Ball Volleyballs - Officially sanctioned by the FIVB. This rating is a special logo that can only be used on Mikasa informing players that this ball is part of the Mikasa group of Volleyballs that have been manufactured to the highest specifications.

F.I.V.B. official size weight Volleyballs - This rating is really just an informative one that the ball is "official size and weight" as regulated by the FIVB. It is NOT approved by the FIVB. 

I.V.B.F. official size weight Volleyballs - This rating is really just an informative one that the ball is "official size and weight" as regulated by the FIVB as it used to be known as "international De Volley Ball Federation". These balls are generally stitched and come from India / Pakistan. 

A little known fact ..... the FIVB stopped approving "Genuine Leather" Volleyballs in 2005, the reason I say this is because the then people behind Molten did not lessen selling them here in Australia as there was more profit to be had with that particular ball until they lost the rights for VA (Volleyball Australia). At that time the only other country in the world to use a leather volleyball was the USA (who are still using them, but at a dimished level). Today Molten no longer imports the V5M5500 into Australia. Also little known is that the Synthetic range of Molten is just as good as the Mikasa range and now also cheaper.