Equip a men's basketball team

Size 7: the boys' ball from U15 onwards

The men's teams play in size 7 from U15 and up to senior level. So, this is the size to order first for a men's team. Keep a few FFBB approved balls for home matches, as the hosting team provides the ball for the game. For training sessions, a more durable training ball will be more useful. If your club also has U13, be sure to have a few size 6 in a bag set aside.

Dress for warm-up and training

The outfits on this page are mainly multi-sport training gear, which basketball clubs use for training and warm-ups.

• Shirts and shorts: lightweight, made from breathable fabric, from Errea, Hummel, Joma, or adidas. The same model in different colours allows the whole team to dress identically.
• Tracksuits and joggers: the bench and travel outfit, which is kept on during warm-ups.
• Socks: reinforced multi-sport models, to be bought in identical pairs for the whole group.

Before ordering for fifteen players, ask everyone for their sizes and check the brand's guide: cuts vary from one manufacturer to another.

Training bibs, cones, whistle: the bench and the court

The training equipment is the same for all teams, but a senior group uses it quite a lot. Loose bibs that go over a jersey are used for each match-up. Cones and markers outline the drills. A tactical board follows the coach on the bench on game day. All of it fits into a bag of equipment that stays at the gym.

Balls and equipment for men's teams: the brands

For balls and equipment, these brands come up frequently in orders for men's teams.

• Molten makes the Compet FFBB ball in size 7, the one used in official matches, and training models from the BG range.
• Wilson provides the official ball for 3x3, useful for the club's summer tournaments, and balls for outdoor play.
• Spalding offers its TF range, from initiation balls to the TF-1000 in composite leather.
• Sporti supplies ball racks, coach notebooks, and workshop equipment.
• Nike completes the range with rubber balls for the playground.

The other pages to equip the club

The Men's page only covers part of the club. The women's teams have their Women page, with size 6 balls. The youth teams are on the Junior page. To buy multiple identical balls, check the ball packs. The hoops and accessories are on the club equipment page, and the brands page sorts everything by manufacturer.

Pay less for senior equipment

Ordering for a full team can get expensive quickly, so keep an eye out for good deals. The special offers for clubs and club sales lower the cost of team equipment. The Black Friday and clearance sales are also worth checking out for outfits. Need to replace a ball before Saturday? The Clubs section dispatched within 24h is made for that.

Frequently asked questions

What ball for a senior men's championship?

A size 7 ball approved by the FFBB, like the Compet models from Molten. The hosting team provides the game ball. Check for the approval mention on the sheet before ordering.

Is a multi-sport outfit suitable for basketball?

For training, yes. A handball or volleyball shirt and shorts made from breathable fabric work just fine. For official matches, your club has its own dress rules: colours, numbers on the front and back, matching shorts.

Reversible jersey or bibs for match-ups?

The reversible jersey avoids piling on layers and gives a neater outfit, but each player must have their own. Bibs can be shared between several teams and go over any outfit. For a club, bibs remain the more flexible solution.

How to prevent a size 7 ball from slipping at the end of the session?

Wipe it down regularly with a dry towel, as sweat and dust from the floor reduce grip. Clean it occasionally with a barely damp cloth, no cleaning products. A composite leather ball maintains its grip better than a rubber ball.

Should I order a size up for warm-up jackets?

Often, yes, if players wear them over a jersey or sweatshirt. Check the brand's size guide and the cut mentioned on the sheet, fitted or loose. For a team order, a sample jacket avoids back-and-forth exchanges.