Ball: history and use in games

by Joost Nusselder Updated on: December 12, 2022

Ball games are one of the oldest forms of Games, and the ball itself is one of the oldest toys. The first ball games were simple and based on the realistic style of the Greeks.

Besides this style of play, there are also other styles of ball games. There are realistic ball games such as hockey, football and rugby, semi-realistic ball games such as korfball and handball and non-realistic ball games such as basketball and dodgeball.

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The wonderful world of balls

The world of balls is a mysterious and magical happening. Whether you need a football, baseball, hockey ball or even a power ball - there is a ball for every occasion.

The spherical ball

Most of the balls we know are spherical in shape. Depending on the production process, materials used, conditions of use, surface finish, etc., they can be as round as possible. However, some sports have a ball with a different shape, such as rugby or American football, which are more like an egg shape.

Hollow or massive?

Balls can be hollow or solid. A hollow ball is usually inflated until an equilibrium between the internal pressure and the tensile forces in the ball material occurs. A solid ball, such as those used in billiards, is made of a material through and through. There are also hollow balls, such as tennis balls, that are not inflated, but have a relatively thick skin.

What kind of materials?

Many different materials can be used to make balls for sports and games, such as pieces of leather attached to each other, all kinds of plastics, wood, metal and even rope. To obtain desired properties, a combination of different materials is often used.

Sports with balls

There are many different sports that use balls, including:

• Braces
• Bowling
• Croquet
• goalball
• Hack sack
• Baseball
• horseball
• boules
• juggling
• bounce
• ball shooting
• Korfball
• power ball
• Lacrosse
• Mesoamerican ball game
• Mini football
• Ball
• Snooker
• Squash
• Football
• Indoor football (futsal)
• Sitting volleyball

And of course, balls are also used in children's play.

The best ball sports for everyone

Whether you're an experienced athlete or just looking for a fun way to spend your free time, there's a wide variety of ball sports you can try. From classic sports such as football and baseball to more exotic sports such as power ball and horseball, there is something for everyone. Below is a list of the best ball sports for everyone.

Classic ball sports

• Football: Football is the most popular sport in the world and it is also one of the oldest. It is a team game in which two teams of eleven players try to shoot the ball into the opponent's goal.

• Baseball: Baseball is another popular sport that has been played for over a century. It is a team sport in which two teams of nine players try to hit the ball into the opponent's court.

• Lacrosse: Lacrosse is a team sport that has been played by Native Americans for centuries. It is a combination of football, hockey and basketball in which two teams of ten players try to shoot the ball into the opponent's goal.

Exotic ball sports

• Power Ball: Power Ball is a team sport in which two teams of four players try to shoot the ball into the opponent's court. It is a fast paced, physical sport that requires a lot of tactics.

• Horseball: Horseball is a team sport in which two teams of four players on horses try to shoot the ball into the opponent's court. It is a challenging sport that requires a lot of skill and balance.

• Mesoamerican Ball Game: Mesoamerican ball game is a team sport that has been played for over two thousand years. It is a combination of football, volleyball and basketball in which two teams of four players try to shoot the ball into the opponent's court.

Children's games with balls

• Hitting: Hitting is a classic children's game in which two teams of two players try to shoot the ball into the opponent's court.

• Bowling: Bowling is another popular children's game in which two teams of two players try to shoot the ball into the opponent's sockets.

• Croquet: Croquet is a classic children's game where two teams of two players try to shoot the ball into the opponent's gates.

Whether you're looking for a competitive sport or just a fun way to spend your free time, there's a wide variety of ball sports you can try. From classic sports such as football and baseball to more exotic sports such as power ball and horseball, there is something for everyone. Moreover, you can also play some classic children's games with balls, such as brackets, bowling and croquet. Whatever you choose, you are guaranteed a good time!

Cuju: The Oldest Soccer Game In The World

Cuju, also called Ts'u-chü, is the oldest football game in the world. The game is so old that it is already mentioned in sources from the Han dynasty, between 206-100 BC.

The object of the game is simple: kick the ball through a net without using your hands. The game started as a fitness training for the military, but later became popular with the elite and later still with the civilians.

Here are a few things you should know about Cuju:

• The game is based on kicking a ball through a net without using your hands.
• The game has already been mentioned in sources from the Han dynasty, between 206-100 BC.
• The game started as a fitness training for the military, but later became popular with the elite and later still with the civilians.
• Children also play the game, as you can see in the picture below.

How to Play Cuju?

Cuju is a simple game to play. First of all, you must have a ball and a net. The ball can be anything from a piece of leather to a piece of cloth. The net can be anything from a piece of string to a piece of cloth.

Next you need to make two teams. Each team has a goal and a goalkeeper. The goalkeeper stands at the goal and tries to stop the ball. The other players try to kick the ball through the goal.

The team that scores the most goals wins the game.

Cuju: An Ancient Game

Cuju is an ancient game that dates back over 2000 years. It is one of the oldest sports in the world and has a long history.

The game has become popular with people of all ages and backgrounds. It's a fun way to play with friends and family and improve your fitness.

So if you're looking for a fun game to play, why not give Cuju a try? It is a fun game that you can play with anyone and that improves your fitness. What else do you want?

The ancient Greeks and Romans played their own version of ball games

The ancient Greeks and Romans had their own version of ball games. From the Greeks we know phaininda and episkyros, while the Romans played harpastum. If you look at the UEFA European Championship Cup, you will see an image of a player from episkyros. This image comes from a vase that can be admired in the National Archaeological Museum of Athens.

How did the ancient Greeks and Romans play ball games?

The ancient Greeks and Romans played ball games more like volleyball, wrestling and rugby. There was a lot of body contact and the use of hands was allowed.

Why are these ball games so famous?

The ball games of the ancient Greeks and Romans are famous for being an important part of cultural history. The image of an episkyros player on the UEFA European Championship Cup pays homage to the ancient Greeks and Romans.

The oldest football: a short history

The Middle Ages

The first indications of football date back to the 8th century. In England, football was played with a pig's bladder. Unfortunately, the game was banned in the 13th century because it distracted people too much.

The working class

Football remained popular with the working class in England. There were no real rules and it often led to arguments and fights. In 1830, the so-called highway act was introduced, with which the police could issue fines if football was played on a major road.

The schools

From the mid-19s, football in schools developed into what we know it today. The first football club, Aston Villa, was founded in 1896-97.

So if you've ever thought that soccer is a boring sport, think again. Football has a long history of fines, fights and pig bladders!

Conclusion

The use of balls is an age-old tradition that continues today. Whether you are a fan of sports or games, there is always a ball that suits you. If you're looking for a ball, think about what you want to do with it first.

Joost Nusselder, the founder of Speelkeuze.nl is a content marketer, father and loves trying out new toys. As a child he came into contact with everything related to games when his mother started the Tinnen Soldaat in Ede. Now he and his team create helpful blog articles to help loyal readers with fun play ideas.