We ruthlessly hit them with a racket, kick and crush, not even suspecting how much effort, time and skill it takes to produce one small ball.

Before taking on the shape we know, the balls overcame more than one stage of evolution. They were cork and rubber, of arbitrary diameter from three to five centimeters. It was quite difficult to play with such equipment: the cork bounced off the table surface badly, and rubber balls, on the contrary, jumped unpredictably in different directions.

But in 1856, the scientist Alexander Parkes managed to create a new material, thanks to which table tennis took a significant step forward. True, the inventor did not try at all for sports. He didn't care about sports at all. Parkes wanted to put into production a material - a substitute for expensive ivory. The discovery promised good dividends: elephant tusks are in great short supply, and jewelry made from a quality substitute would appeal to many English fashionistas. However, the hopes of the scientist failed to come true. There was a problem: the material ignited too easily. That is, it was simply flammable. And Parkes was never able to find a use for his discovery.

Time passed, and the invention of Parkes could not find its purpose. Although in 1870 the strange material received an official name. The Celluloid Manufacturing Company has registered it under its trademark. And the world first heard about celluloid. Celluloid is plastic, but plastic is not plain. Like ordinary plastic, it hardens when exposed to heat, but then becomes plastic again. It is this property that makes celluloid unique.

And a few years later, two companies were already fighting for the right to produce celluloid. Although sports again had nothing to do with it. In the late 1880s, celluloid was developed for photographic film. Hannibal Goodwin and Eastman Kodak Company received the coveted patent. However, both firms coveted a monopoly. To eliminate competitors, Hannibal Goodwin sued Eastman Kodak Company for copyright infringement. And she won the case. Thus, through competition, the basis for the production of photographic film was laid, and later this led to the development of motion pictures.

The high point of celluloid has come. In the late 19th - early 20th century, he finally gained popularity. Knife handles, ballpoint pen cases, and even toys were made from this material. But the glory left as unexpectedly as it appeared: celluloid ignited and collapsed too easily, so in the middle of the 20th century it was replaced by safer and more resistant polyethylene.

Capricious and delicate material could take root in only one area. But there he became necessary, irreplaceable and unique. Celluloid came into the sport and stayed there - in the form of a table tennis ball. In 1896, the German firm Schildkröt (Turtle) produced the first celluloid ball. The success was huge. New balls bounced high, obeyed the athlete, flew quickly and accurately. The advantages of the new materials were obvious. By the beginning of the 20th century, all major tennis firms had acquired patents for the production of balls. And since 1902, the business was put on the conveyor: manufacturing plants produced up to 2 million balls a week. Despite being highly flammable and short-lived, celluloid has been the only ball material for over 100 years. Why? Only he has the necessary characteristics. Celluloid is able to hold its shape for a long time. In this he is helped by special ingredients. For example, camphor. Its smell remains on the inner walls of the ball for several years. Celluloid endures even the strongest impacts: it does not deform, remains rigid and, at the same time, elastic. Other materials are not capable of this.

However, celluloid is flammable. Therefore, even after a hundred years, the manufacture of table tennis balls is a laborious and expensive process that requires precise work and constant monitoring. Safety measures must be followed.

Asia has a monopoly on production. All balls come from the Far East. Balls approved by the International Table Tennis Federation are made by only five specialized factories. And they are all in Asia: two in China, two in Japan and one in South Korea. Although there are many more factories in China, their products are intended for the amateur level.

The manufacturing process begins with a rectangular celluloid sheet, about 1mm thick. From it, as from dough, small round blanks are cut. These blanks are superimposed on a hemisphere, that is, a half of the ball. After that, the celluloid is heated to 100 degrees (mainly with the help of water vapor) and, softened, is again stretched onto a hemisphere. The process is called "deep drawing". The result is separate halves of the ball.

The halves of one ball vary slightly in size. This is done intentionally: it is more convenient to insert the parts into each other. But first, the halves are weighed. Such accurate calculations are required only in a pharmacy. The difference in weight should not exceed one hundredth of a gram - otherwise the ball will become egg-shaped.

After drawing, the halves of the ball are carefully glued together with an alcohol-containing liquid. It softens the surface of the material. At the place of gluing, a double layer of celluloid is formed - this is a seam. However, there is no imbalance, since when drawing the mass of the ball is evenly distributed over the entire surface.

The ball is then placed in a hollow metal ball and immersed in a hot water bath. The walls of the ball are pressed against the walls of the hollow ball. Through this process, the seams are aligned. High quality balls go through this procedure twice - for more confidence in their perfect shape.

The last stage of processing takes place in a large rotating drum. From the outside, it looks like washing, only instead of laundry, balls and small light pebbles rotate in the drum. "Washing" lasts several hours - until the mass of the ball reaches the desired mark. The pebbles rub against the balls and grind them. This forms a white powder on the surface of the balls. New balls leave traces on the lining - dust from celluloid and stones. Gradually, the balls are “beaten up”, and the linings stop getting dirty.

The next stage of control is weighing. Each ball is weighed separately and checked by a special machine for stiffness. For balls, this is a difficult test. The metal pin presses on different places, and if the ball misses too much in one of them, the poor fellow is sent to marriage. He's too soft. To control the roundness (evenness) of the balls, they are rolled on an inclined plane. The details and essence of this procedure are kept secret by the manufacturers.

At the end, each ball requires "aging" - according to information from manufacturing companies, this takes several months.

Three-star balls are not made separately. They are selected from the general population. The best copies are decorated with three stars. And worse balls get training status.

The ITTF strictly monitors the quality of the balls. No ball will receive a license without proper verification.

According to table tennis rules, the ball must be:

A) spherical, with a diameter of 40 mm;

B) weighing 2.7 grams;

C) dull white or dull orange.

In fact, there are still some concessions. The diameter of the ball can range from 39.5 to 40.5 millimeters, and the weight can vary from 2.67 to 2.77 grams. In this range, the difference in rebound and flight speed is imperceptible. In order to receive ITTF approval, balls must also comply with several other regulations. For example: when a ball is released from a height of 305 millimeters onto a standard steel block, it should bounce between 240 and 260 millimeters. True, this requirement is not the most stringent. It is performed by almost all tested balls. It is much more difficult to meet the "weight" and "height" norms.

But now everything is behind and the balls with the ITTF badge are sailing. The sea route is the only safe route for this cargo. The risk of fire is too great. A little time will pass, and a quiet life will end. They will be beaten with a racket, thrown into the air, kicked. They will train and play competitions. But what can you do - table tennis players cannot do without a celluloid ball.

This page describes how to make a DIY Fight Ball simulator at home. Making a punching machine is easy.

Option 1. Cheap and cheerful.

You will need: tennis ball, elastic band, baseball cap.

Instruction

1. Poke a tennis ball with a sharp object (such as scissors). Be careful.
2. Tie a few knots at the end of the elastic so that it does not “jump” back.
3. Push the end of the elastic with knots through the hole in the ball.
4. Tie the other end of the elastic band to the cap, while choosing the length of the elastic band so that the ball is at the level of the navel.

That's all, 10 minutes and the fight ball boxing simulator is ready to use!

Video instruction

Minuses:

• no effort is needed to make the ball fly away from the fist;
• there is no possibility to practice side impacts.

Option 2. Cheap, right.

1. Stuff a sock with rice, preferably woolen (it's perfect for this). You should get a mini-pear with a diameter of 8 cm.
2. Thread a lace 8 cm long through a large button and tie it into a ring.
3. Insert the button ring into the neck of the sock (the ring should stick out of the neck). Tightly “burn” with a nylon thread. Cut off the excess part of the sock with scissors.
4. Take a linen elastic, fold it two or three times (depending on the density of the elastic) and sew along the entire length every 10 cm.
5. Attach the resulting "harness" to the mini-pear.

Option 3. Right, effective.

FIGHT BALL BOXING from company FIGHTMASTER This is an effective simulator for masters and beginner fighters. It does not have the negative properties inherent in homemade simulators.

Strengths

• The shell of the ball is sewn with strong threads made of genuine leather.
• The pear simulator is filled with special granules to give shape and weight.
• Comfortable and secure headband with adjustable size and ventilation inserts.
• Elastic band for attaching the ball is optimally matched for elasticity, stretch and strength.
• The elastic attachment is located on the top of the head, this makes it possible to work out not only direct punches, but also side, as well as elbow strikes.
• The simulator was tested and improved in the process of training, taking into account the wishes of professional athletes of various types of martial arts and martial arts masters.
• You will have to "invest" in each shot, and not just put your fists under the ball. This makes the workout more efficient.
• The FIGHTMASTER company has been manufacturing and improving the FIGHT BALL BOXING simulator since 2015.

So what is hidden behind the outer, fleecy shell of the ball? Answer: a regular rubber ball, which manufacturers often call the core or core. But in general, the production process for making tennis balls is quite high-tech. On the proposed video, it is presented quite fully and intelligibly (the film was shot at the Penn plant in Phoenix, Arizona, USA).

Some explanations and comments on the video.

Natural rubber bars ( author's note ‒ Produced in Indonesia, Malaysia, Vietnam and Thailand from the resin of the Hevea tree or the milky juice of the herbal plant Kok-saghyz) are first softened in a thermal chamber at a temperature of 104 ° C using a special softener (at ordinary temperature rubber is hard and brittle). Soft bars are loaded into a mixer, in which it is heated to 202 ° C (decomposition temperature), foamed and mixed with sulfur dichloride (necessary for subsequent vulcanization) and with a multi-ingredient chemical mixture (fatty acids, organic and mineral additives), which improves elasticity and increases rubber durability. Each ball manufacturer has its own "proprietary" proprietary mixture and does not disclose its composition. After 11 minutes, a rubbery consistency similar to “chewed gum” comes out of the mixer, which is passed through a calender press (cylindrical shafts that take root with each other with strong pressure) to squeeze out air bubbles from it, due to which the wall of the rubber ball can break through.

Long strips are cut from the rolled “airless” rubber, from which portioned round blanks weighing 28 g are squeezed out using an extruder (shaping device) (Fig. 1), intended for the manufacture of hemispheres (halves of the ball). Before placing the blanks (90-110 pieces) into the compression press molds, they are treated with hot water and silicone so that the finished sheets with hemispheres (Fig. 2) can be easily removed from the press molds. This operation takes place at a temperature of 300 ° C for 3 minutes.

Next, hemispheres are cut out of the sheets using a figured guillotine (Fig. 3). Their ends (wall thickness 3 mm) are machine-grinded, covered with glue (Fig. which already produces hollow balls (Fig. 6). Before the direct closing of the lower and upper planes of the molds (approximately in 1 second), the heat-resistant rubber casing inside the press hermetically seals the cells with hemispheres and, through special channels, air (or an inert gas, or a gas mixture) is injected into them under pressure in a fraction of a second to 1.6‒1.9 atmospheres (depending on the type of ball). This operation is necessary to create excess internal pressure in the ball, which increases the "bounce" of the ball. Another method of creating excess internal pressure is also used. In the lower halves, a tablet of a gas-forming agent from inorganic salts is manually laid. The high temperature of the vulcanization process (320 ° C) decomposes the tablet, creating excess pressure ( author's note ‒ Due to manual operations, this method is less perfect, but continues to be used). Filler gas can be either nitrogen or a mixture of air and sulfur hexafluoride (SF6). Nitrogen and sulfur hexafluoride increases the period of constancy of pressure in the ball (ball hardness).

Formed rubber balls ( author's note ‒ Factories «Penn uses vulcanizing presses that make 188 rubber balls at a time) have a diameter of 65.1±1.6 mm.
In order for a tennis ball to differ from its “compatriots” from other sports, it is necessary to put on a “bald head” a curly “wig” - a fleecy tennis cloth 2-2.5 cm thick (Fig. 7).

This cloth differs from others used in the textile industry in several ways. Its base consists of pure cotton, and the weft (the transverse structure of the threads of the cloth) is a mixture of wool and synthetics, but the wool is not easy - from specially bred sheep in New Zealand ( aut.- In any case, such a cloth is used by the leading manufacturers of tennis equipment, in contrast to the Chinese "craftsmen"). They are grazed in meadows with certain varieties of grass and cut according to a special schedule. Therefore, the cost of a tennis ball is mainly determined by the cost of the cloth used.

For the durability of the pile, thermoplastic synthetic additives are introduced into the weft - different types of nylon (no more than 45%) and polyester (no more than 10%), but not over 50% of their total number. The fact is that the high content of synthetic fibers does not allow creating the hairiness of the cloth.

Another feature of tennis cloth is that in its manufacture, special attention is paid to the uniformity of the height of the pile.

(Author's note ‒ When buying a ball, how can you determine how good its “wig” is? A cloth with a high content of wool is called "Melton", and with a high content of synthetic fibers - "Needle" (for less expensive balls), which should be indicated on packaging cans).

How do you make a “wig” for a tennis ball out of cloth?

With a special machine, segments are cut out in shape, resembling a dumbbell in a section (Fig. 8). They are tightly stacked one on one in piles (about 50 pieces) and dipped into a bath of composite cement (Fig. 9). Due to the strong compaction of the cut blanks, the glue does not penetrate the fleecy surface and remains only at the ends.

With the help of an automated wrapping machine, the rubber ball, initially treated with glue, has two cloth blanks, which are tightly fixed on its surface (Fig. 10). Next, the balls are once again subjected to the vulcanization process for 12 minutes at a temperature of 370 ° C (Fig. 11). After this operation, the cloth sheath firmly adheres to the rubber ball, and the ends of the cloth are vulcanized between themselves and with the surface of the rubber core. But this procedure tightly “seals” the pile to. Therefore, it needs to create volume - “comb”. To do this, tennis balls are placed in a special chamber-drum (Fig. 12), where they are treated with hot steam and dried. Now they have become “fluffy” and have acquired a presentation.

Why is the shell of the ball made fleecy? Firstly, it prolongs the “life” of the ball by reducing the deformation of the rubber. Secondly, it somewhat slows down the flight of the ball (creates aerodynamic resistance) and its rebound from the surface of the court (increases the coefficient of friction) and, moreover, the rebound is less affected by uneven court surfaces. And, thirdly, it allows you to give the ball, in contact with the string surface of the racket, the intended rotation and trajectory.

If you want to compare the modern manufacturing process with the production of balls from the mid-30s of the last century, then watch this video of the production of Danlop balls at the factory in Birmingham (England). Here, excess pressure is created using gas-forming tablets.

It is known that the gas from the ball, due to the porosity of rubber, gradually leaks out and after about six months its internal pressure is compared with the external one. The ball becomes soft (tennis players say “rotten”) and is no longer playable (but there are many options for everyday use). Therefore, the balls immediately after production are sealed in metal or plastic cans, in which the same pressure is created as inside the ball. The Swedish company Tretorn solves this problem differently. She developed and patented a special way of making rubber (Micro Cell technology), which has increased elasticity. Thanks to this, Tretorn balls do not have excessive pressure, but at the same time they bounce no worse than balls made using classical technology. And that's why they are certified by the ITF technical center. True, Swedish balls have some peculiarity. Due to the fact that they recover their shape more slowly when in contact with the string surface, they seem to be heavier than ordinary balls. And not everyone likes it.

Despite the ball manufacturing technology worked out for many years (since 1929), research on improving tennis balls continues. Although manufacturers hide such information, I know two directions in this activity. This is the creation of phosphorescent balls, which will allow you to play in low light or at dusk. And the development of “smart” balls (“smart” rackets have already been created), which, due to the electrically conductive surface, allow you to accurately determine the place where the ball lands on the court using electronic equipment (instead of “Hawk-Eye”).

Many leading manufacturers set up their factories in the countries of Oceania and the Far East. This is due to three factors:

• cheap labor force;
• little taxation;
• resource base.

As for the raw material base, many forming materials still have to be imported from countries located on four continents, which indicates the global nature of this production. As an example, I will give a diagram of the logistics of the Slazenger plant located in Barnsley (Philippines) ( author's note ‒ Slazenger has been the official supplier of balls to the Wimbledon tournament since 1902.).

Explanation: a special type of white clay comes from South Carolina (USA); wool from New Zealand is sent to Stroud (Gloucestershire, England), where cloth is made, and then the cloth is returned to the same region - to Barnsley (Philippines); naphthalene from Zibo (China).

Boxing is a sport that requires constant training and improvement of your fighting skills. But, at present, boxing or other martial arts (as well as any other sport) is quite expensive. Today I want to tell you how to make an excellent simulator at home for developing the reaction, accuracy and speed of punches in a beginner boxer ...

After reading a lot of articles on how you can develop a good reaction in a boxer, I came to the conclusion that the most effective and at the same time cheap way is to make a do-it-yourself reaction simulator at home. So, let's begin…

For the "Fight ball" simulator we need:
- tennis or any other (for example, rubber) ball;
- a dense thread or rope about 1 meter long;
- a needle or a drill with a drill;
- elastic band (approximately 0.5 meters).

So, for starters, we make a small hole in the ball through the center with a drill (if the ball is rubber, not tennis, the hole can be made with a regular needle). We tie the thread to our elastic band and thread the “thread-gum” through the center of the ball so that there is a thread on one side of the ball, and an elastic band on the other ...

Now we need to fix our simulator and start working out the blows. “Fight ball” must be fixed so that the thread is tied to the ceiling (for example, you can drive a nail into the ceiling and tie the thread to the nail), and at the bottom the elastic can be fixed with a brick, as shown in the photo ...

So, our "Fight ball" simulator is ready... Now you can practice punches with your left and right hand. This simulator will help you make your punch more accurate, faster, develop your reaction and help you, if not to become a real boxer, then at least be able to stand up for yourself... Good luck to you...

Hello, friends. Do you know what there is a ball on an elastic band for boxing? But how is it useful for a boxer? How to make it yourself? And where is the best place to buy it?

Training apparatus

A ball with an elastic band is a boxing simulator. In this area, the product "Fight Ball" is very popular.

What develops a ball on an elastic band for boxing? Here, the tasks of developing such qualities as:

1. Reaction.
2. Coordination.
3. Attack accuracy.
4. Feeling of distance.

In the USSR, many boxers trained with this projectile.

How to work with a ball on an elastic band? Here the designated simulator is used. First you need to adjust the gum in it. The ball should be at stomach height. This position is especially relevant for beginners. And the smaller the length of the elastic band, the more difficult the workout.

1. The ball is pushed away from itself by hand. He needs to be hit hard with his fist. It flies down or away from the hitter. The key task is to hit the middle of the ball so that it flies in a straight line. Then it comes back to the face. In these moments, you need to have time to hit him again. According to this principle, continuous assaults follow. The ball must not reach the face.

For beginners, it is better to abandon powerful blows and focus them only down. The duration of work at a similar pace is 10-20 minutes, and every day. Until the performance is honed to perfection.

1. The ball with an elastic band for boxing is put on the head again. The work is more intense, the force of blows increases. They go only in front of you, should always be in line with the eyes.

It is so good to perfect direct and side attacks. In work, you can use both hands alternately. Each fighter improves personal combinations. Intensity - the same as in paragraph 1.

1. Similar actions as in paragraph 2 + defense. After each attack, you need to place your hands at the chin. This is how the habit of proper defense is developed. The elbows protect the body. The intensity is the same.
2. Analogy with item 3 + movement. You need to move around the room. The work takes place in the shuttle. You have to keep hitting the ball. He should not fall, and the fighter manages to return his hands. The intensity is the same.
3. Analogy with item 4. You just need to focus on the ball, but on a suitable object, for example:

• look at fellow workouts,
• watch fights or a movie on the screen

So peripheral vision and concentration develop well. And also:

• rapid reaction to moving targets,
• cumulative coordination in space,
• shoulder coordination,
• endurance,
• operational orientation and perception of data,
• accuracy of attacks on targets in motion,
• sense of distance

Self-creation of a projectile

How to make a ball on an elastic band for boxing? This work is not difficult. There are several versions of such homemade products:

First version. For her you will need: a baseball cap, an elastic band from linen, a tennis ball. Actions:

A. The ball is pierced through with an awl or a thin knife.

B. The end of the gum is tied in 3-4 knots. This way the rubber won't pop back out.

B. The elastic band is threaded through the hole created.

D. Its other ending is tied to a baseball cap. The length of the elastic should be such that the ball is positioned on the line of the abdomen.

It turns out a tennis ball on an elastic band for boxing.

However, this version has the following shortcomings:

• the ball bounces too easily from the fist, the exercises pass without power,
• you can not hone side attacks.

To make a different version of the ball on an elastic band for boxing with your own hands, you must perform the following algorithm of actions:

1. A wool sock is used. It is optimal for this task. It is filled with uncooked rice. This is how a miniature pear is formed. Its diameter: 7-8 cm.
2. Lace is used. Its length is 7-8 cm. It is threaded into a massive button and tied into a ring.
3. The resulting combination of button and ring is placed in the sock, more precisely in its neck. In this case, the ring sticks out. The elements are firmly tied with a powerful thread, such as nylon. Excess sock is eliminated with scissors.
4. An elastic band is used. It develops in 2-3 layers (its thickness matters here). It needs to be stitched along the whole length, every 10-11 cm. This is how a kind of tourniquet is formed.
5. The result of item 4. joins a miniature pear.

About professional model

What is the name of the ball on an elastic band for boxing, or rather the professional version? The answer is Fight Ball Boxing.

This is an amazing performance trainer. It is optimal for beginners and experienced boxers. There are no shortcomings inherent in home-made counterparts.

Its manufacturing technology is as follows:

Genuine leather was used to stitch its shell. The fillers of his pears are carefully selected special granules. They give the product shape and mass. For "mounting" on the head, a cap with customizable parameters is used.

The rubber band for fastening the ball is distinguished by a scrupulous selection of such qualities: elasticity, elasticity and strength. The position of its attachment is the crown. Thanks to this, the honing of lateral and direct, as well as elbow attacks, is effectively carried out.

Working with this simulator, the athlete invests as much as possible in all strokes. And the efficiency of the training process increases significantly.

Specialists tested and upgraded this projectile based on the preferences of professional fighters from different martial arts.

Outwardly, this is a simple boxing ball with an elastic band, which is easy to buy on the Internet, for example, on the Fight Ball Boxing / Shop resource or another specialized outlet. You can choose the right model, although this product is universal.

For example, the average price of a ball with an elastic band for boxing with a parameter of 50 cm is 530 rubles.

Other advantages of the projectile:

1. Simple yet very durable construction.
2. It includes a special ball, characterized by the necessary firmness and elasticity. Its cover is a special synthetic fabric. She is very soft. This prevents hand injuries.
3. There is a strong fabric strip. Its material is a special hygienic fabric that absorbs sweat. It's easy to clean. She keeps her appearance for a long time.
4. external attraction.
5. Modest mass. The product fits easily into a sports bag.
6. It can be used effectively in various places: room, gym, park, etc.
7. Despite its simplicity, the projectile can exhaust the practitioner as much as possible. It makes you intensively work out the most complex attacks and combinations.
8. Thanks to these exercises, a fighter acquires the most important characteristics and skills: excellent reaction, high endurance, meticulously accurate strikes, and perfect coordination of movements.

Thus, the Fight Ball Boxing simulator is notable for its external simplicity and high efficiency. The fighter demonstrates solid results by working with him even for half an hour every day.

Conclusion

Such an extremely useful and practical simulator can be done by yourself. But only professional models give the best results.