Mikasa BV550C Review (New Ball for FIVB Beach Volleyball)

The newest Mikasa ball for beach volleyball was introduced on the 26th of January 2023 at the Volleyball World Beach Pro Tour Finals in Doha, replacing the Mikasa VLS300 which has been the official FIVB Beach Wolleyball World Tour ball for over 10 years.
Is it better? How does it play? Are the dimples a good addition?
All of this and a bit more to be found here in the first ever public in depth review of the ball, hope you enjoy!
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[@RussFryman]

Great review! I appreciate both parts of the commentary.

[@LearnBeachVolleyballFast]

Thank you! Yes, I think both sides are important to highlight..!

[@CRamon9]

Well, first of all, thank you for this video. I've been playing four years beach volleyball, I love watching it and I love compiting on amateur levels. Here in Spain everyone plays with the (now) old Mikasa, I do train with that one too and I only get to play with my personal Wilson when there's no other (professional) ball to play. I honestly don't like the Mikasa for the crazy floating and cause I cannot control it as well as the Wilson on a top jump spin serve. I've never thought about the weight of the Wilson on rainy days, here we don't have many so we don't usually play when it rains. Also as you said, for the material I rather the Wilson for hand setting, but now I understand more why the Mikasa is that way, cause we saw quite a few world tournaments under haevy rains in Maldives or Gastad. For the first time in this four years I was attracted for the new Mikasa. The colour patern, the percepccion of playing with a proffesional ball with no doubt cause you can read it on it might attract the people who does not understand why are you playing with the Mikasa or the Wilson, I had that feeling more with people asking me if the Wilson is a professional ball to be honest, but also the feeling that on a first look will be better for those things I rather on the Wilson, hand setting and more control on jump servers. With all that said, you got me with the last part of your review. Even on my late 20s, when my girlfriend got me the Wilson for my birthday I remenber sleeping with the ball, touching the ball every single day at home during the locked down, walking to the beach with the ball in my hand and not in the bag. I just could not stop touching it. I do have that feeling to with the (old) Mikasa, but not even close than with the Wilson. Thanks to your review probably I'll wait to get my hand on one of the new Mikasa, befere it I wanted to be one of the first to get one in my town. I will let someone be, and after a few touches see if I will buy a new Wilson (again) or finally change to the ball that everyone plays here as a personal ball.

[@LearnBeachVolleyballFast]

Hey, thanks for the comment! Interesting observations! First of all it's funny you are saying you never thought of the waterproofness of the Wilson, since it barely ever rains.. I think this is the case in California as well, which I think where the balls are designed.. However, in northern Europe and Asia (the who places I mostly play in), having a ball that gets waterlogged as soon as it rains is just disaster.. Some rain coming by while you play is nothing unusual at all, and because of that at least I like to sometimes even deliberately train in the rain because there's a skill to that too and you wanna know how to do it the day you are in a tournament and it starts raining.. So yeah, I probably also would design a ball like the Wilson if I lived in a rainless place, but that just isn't the case... And I don't think it's a good idea to try to design an international ball without considering international conditions. Regarding passing the Mikasa floaters.. I know the feeling. I was there too for many years and semi-loudly proposed that the world should use Wilson balls instead. Then something happened - I learned how to pass the Mikasa haha. One needs to stop listening to American coaches is like step 1 to learn this (they know how to and teach how to pass Wilsons and other less floating balls and it's quite different..) I won't go into that more here and now (there will be more in my project later on and my coaching is available) but just wanted to share that learning to pass the Mikasa floats is possible even though it might feel like mission impossible in the beginning, especially if you are already an adult who didn't learn to pass as a kid. Annd yes.. Wanting to hold your new ball is a real thing. Actually the first time in my life I am experiencing the opposite, not wanting to hold it in my hands but rather reach for an old one.. 😕 Where in Spain are you located..? I am seriously considering moving there or Portugal sometime later this year..!

[@CRamon9]

Thank you Alex for all the observations and the reply. As you said south east of Spain has a similar weather of California. Now you said that I remember a tournament here that was a disaster, probably as it was amateur all the people wanted to cancel it, is was so windy and rainy, and yeah people weren't used to it. I also liked your point of the worldwide perspective. It's true that in the United Stated they are able to make you feel like their product is the best, but might not be. I've been playing with both ball this last four years, sometimes I still miss a few recives on floating serves but I'm on it 😅. In Spain i'm located in Alicante, and it really feels like the place to be to play beach volleyball. Spain national team trains in Murcia which is like an hour away (no beach there), they train in like an indoor place. But Alicante is perfect for amateur players and probably for you as a coach. I know at least 5 clubs for amateur players since I almost train at least once or play a tournament for each of them, and the leavel is quite good. Starting with Javier Bosma, olimpic medallist, he has a few international coaches with him for diferent levels of amateur players and I also think he gives like english leassons for children with some of the coaching staff. (instagram.com/voleyplayaarenaalicante/?hl=es) There's also a big one with some coaches that have international experience (instagram.com/voleyplayamuchavista/?hl=es) This two I know they have a bunch of people training with them all year and they are at least 4-5 coaches. The other 3 are more closed since two of them are running mostly for just one person, one of those two is running for a women who was 5 time spain champion (bus she's now quite focus on getting some kids to proffesional level (instagram.com/beachvolley_costablanca/?hl=es) And my club is more affordable, we train in the university but the level of the coaches is mostly the same of the other clubs. (instagram.com/kinetic_beachacademy/?hl=es) Valencia and Barcelona could be also a great oportunity. I hope all the information was't to much and might help you in your near future. BTW, I forgot to tell you how much it helped me your video of snaping the ball.

[@stephenjacoby8560]

Fantastic video. Very neutral review and touched up on very good points. Keep up the videos!

[@LearnBeachVolleyballFast]

Thanks! I will! :)

[@RicardoAdams95]

As a person that plays in Florida, it rains pretty often and we have a very humid climate and I totally agree with the waterproof thing! Waterlogged my old Wilson ball only after like 1.5 years of use due to getting caught in a bad rain storm lol. Ever since I replaced my old Wilson, but also got a Molten V5B5000. It plays much better in the rain, but generally most people hate any other balls that are not Wilson lmao. I have felt a few Mikasa KOBs that I like. Thinking of picking up the VLS300/BV550C for the summer so thanks for the video.

[@LearnBeachVolleyballFast]

Ohh! I was imagining Florida would be fairly rain-free a bit like California, but you are right it is way more humid there and maybe the rain comes with that..! 1.5 years sounds pretty good, I have experienced a few week old balls end up in a rainstorm in Norway and become so heavy that the game becomes way different and shoulders are at risk.. Which is just ridiculous if you ask me..! If I know the Americans right, people won't be touching your Mikasa too many times haha regardless of which of the FIVB models it is (the Mikasa KOB might be a different story!), but I understand them, I don't like changing between balls either. I can play Wilson or I can play Mikasa, but I'd rather have it consistent than changing day to day.. Not sure if I'd benefit from getting better at changing day to day or not, that is one corner of learning this sport that I have been debating myself with, I can see positives for both sides..!

[@RicardoAdams95]

@@LearnBeachVolleyballFast I do notice some people take a liking to KOBs around here. :p Yeah FL weather is ridiculous during summer lol. 90f/32c with like 80%+ humidity and on and off thunder storms often. I love it though! Is the rain in Norway like a cold, chilly rain?

[@LearnBeachVolleyballFast]

@@RicardoAdams95 Hahah yes..! In Oslo where I have lived you can sometimes in the summer get the "heat rain" so it's very warm and humid and starts raining, but apart from those few times this happens in the middle of the summer I'd say rain is cold..! 😅 I never played enough with the Spalding KOB to get truly used to it, but it is a fun ball. Very bouncy and the seams are an experience! I have never seen the newer Mikasa KOB in real life.

[@montseroy4907]

Get the VLS300! The BV550 gets wets and sand sticks to it like hell. I am full hating mode on the BV550.

[@bzomeful]

It'll be interesting to see if the material just needs a bit of an extended break-in period. Just like how the indoor Mikasa balls start to feel a bit better and less stiff after a number of sessions or how even the old Mikasa VLS300 also feels much softer/plush after playing with it for awhile (IMO)

[@LearnBeachVolleyballFast]

Yess.. There is a chance for that. I didn't know the indoor ball is like that, but the third time I played with this ball I have to admit it didn't feel quite as bad. The VLS300 I love the feeling they have when they come fresh out of the box and when they are very new, but I guess in reality it would be almost only the professionals who have brand new balls at every tournament that would have to constantly deal with "too fresh balls" if this is actually the case.. The story continues I guess!

[@mueslilee1567]

It’s funny that you don’t like the fabric as much as the old one 😂. For me it is the other way around. I’m an indoor volleyball player and the new ball is like a indoor ball but for the beach. It makes me want to play more just by looking at it ❤

[@LearnBeachVolleyballFast]

Hahaha interesting! I can imagine! I like the new fabric much more after it has gotten worn in, but yeah, brand new it's just "too much" haha. But I am slowly starting to conclude that it actually probably is a better ball overall..!

[@user-kv6ol9gq1h]

Great review. I was super excited when I ordered it and super disappointed when I received it. Just laying in bed setting the ball IA 100x more satisfying with the vls

[@LearnBeachVolleyballFast]

Hahah thanks, and I understand you! 😅 Fortunately it becomes a f bit better with time, update video probably coming tomorrow! :)

[@questro89]

Thank you for your opinion! Old micasa look like something native.

[@LearnBeachVolleyballFast]

Yes for me it is like it brings a sense of nostalgia (if this is what you meant), a bit like when you are injured you miss the times when your body was healthy, or when it is winter you miss summertimes etc..!

[@ricardorecarey2737]

Hi there Alex! Thanks for the video and your thoughts, as always. How did you get your hands on one of these? Where did you buy it? Thanks!

[@CRamon9]

I also forgot to asked Alex this on my comment. Thanks for asking.

[@LearnBeachVolleyballFast]

Hey! Hope they are valuable and helpful! The first batch of balls for sale were shipped I believe last friday in Thailand.. So I was able to get a few of them this past weekend! Probably they will be more available worldwide in a few weeks though, I'm imagining the factory is pumping out balls at max speed 24/7 right now..! 🙃

[@ricardorecarey2737]

Is there a webpage or something to buy them directly from Thailand?

[@LearnBeachVolleyballFast]

@@ricardorecarey2737 Don't think so, they wrote specifically that they couldn't ship outside of Thailand.. The only way might be to go to Thailand, or find someone who is travelling from there, or wait a few weeks..! 😅

[@ricardorecarey2737]

@@LearnBeachVolleyballFast thanks for all the info, as always!

[@Bananamaster159753]

Dnt know if you have a video about, but can you teach us the way Ahman hits a ball? That circular ish swing, or is it not possible if you dont jump high enough?

[@LearnBeachVolleyballFast]

Hahah! I think I have figured some of the last pieces out of it here in the last weeks, it's been feeling good in drills but games have been so crazy windy lately that it has almost been impossible to get a good hittable set in a game so haven't been able to fully "confirm" it works in a game yet. I mean yes low elbow swings I have been able to do for a long time, but there is a lot more to it in how he hits! Anyway, yes, content will come, and eventually a full video course on the way he and a few rare other players hit! :)

[@Bananamaster159753]

@@LearnBeachVolleyballFast awesome 😁

[@friendscallmejay]

Where did you buy it? Online? I didn't think it was for sale to the general public. Maybe I'm wrong.

[@LearnBeachVolleyballFast]

You were right until I believe last Friday when some batches were released in Thailand.. Probably available everywhere in a few weeks..!

[@ukaszwiktorko8809]

Probably we need to wait for another iteration. Hopefully it will be better. Previous mikasa model olso were Changing in time from the material point of view :D

[@LearnBeachVolleyballFast]

Haha yeah honestly I sort of agree.. Not too interested in going out to buy 20 pieces of these... We will see what the future brings I guess! 😅

[@2Swift4u]

Thanks for the review. Finally we get some opions on this ball. Personally I still think that the Mikasa ball (I believe it was called VLS 200) that was replaced by the VLS 300 was the best Mikasa.

[@LearnBeachVolleyballFast]

Hey! Unfortunately I agree, the old ball was better. This one is OK, and has some advantages over the old, but yeah.. Update video coming soon with more opinions! :)

[@2Swift4u]

@@LearnBeachVolleyballFast I was actually talking about the ball that came before the vls 300. The one they used at the Bejing Olmypics

[@LearnBeachVolleyballFast]

@@2Swift4u Ahh yes! Yes many people think it was the best ball. I like the VLS300 better in the aspect that it has less seams so it becomes less heavy when it rains.. This whole process has made me think the perfect ball would be a ball with VLS300 seams and material, with the dimples from BV550c and with the colors or VLS200 (because they look better in my opinion!) I'm gonna make a video about this later haha but yeah, in one sense it is not cool at all that people think the ball has gone from good, to worse, to even worse.. 😅

[@tobiaskern4135]

Hi, have you changed your opinion? Or still the same feelings? After 2 months, can you confirm that it floats probably a little bit less/more manageable? Top spin? Falls like the old Mikasa or a little bit more like the Wilson? And finally question, u think the ball is faster then the old one? More like a indoor ball? Greetings and thanks! :-)

[@LearnBeachVolleyballFast]

Hey! Just dropped an update video actually, but yes, I have changed my opinion to the better to an extent. I believe floats are kinda the same when they happen, but they are a bit harder to make happen. I think topspins drop pretty much like old Mikasa rather than like Wilson, but I haven't faced any super heavy topspin servers since I got the ball so could be a bit mistaken here stilleven if I think not. Feels a bit like a hybrid between an indoor ball and a beach ball in some ways.. Here's the link to the new video! kzbin.info/www/bejne/hJqwYXV8m9FokKc

[@LearnBeachVolleyballFast]

Hmm, faster than the old ball or not.. Not sure. Maybe a little but I would say not much in that case!

[@davidlueger1248]

I received the BV550C today and noticed that it does not seem entirely round/ the yellow segment seems to stand out a bit. Does someone know if this is the regular? Or is this only the thing with the one I got🤔

[@LearnBeachVolleyballFast]

So I have gotten a lot of people showing their ball is not 100% round unfortunately, seems almost more like the norm than an exception. I think it becomes a bit better with some usage though..

[@calendrier2005]

Mine too, it is not round, like you said, the yellow part

[@dawidhumeniuk2820]

which is better vls300 or beach pro bv550c? Pleas help :)

[@LearnBeachVolleyballFast]

Good question. The BV550c becomes better once it is not brand new anymore but a little bit used, and I do like that the dimples make it float a little bit less and it also seems to be more worth it to learn proper topspin serves with this ball. All in all I would say they are maybe the same amount of "good" now that I have played more with the new one. If you are trying to decide which one to buy, depends on what people in your area will want to play with in 1 year. If you just buy for your own training and want to save some money, get the VLS300..!

[@VictoriaVolley2011]

Hey, thanks for the review from Russia. Fully agree that the ball doesnt looks like luxury toy which you want to sleep with like a child and run to the court when you're adult. Even the color scheme looks not organic, not very completed. Seems like intermediate attempt on the few steps way to the next "ideal" ball for the coming years.

[@LearnBeachVolleyballFast]

Hey, thanks for the comment! Yes, I agree. I have to say that the texture ofthe ball does become better after a bit more playing because the worst "shiny-ness" wears out, so I am more neutral to the ball now than when I made this video, but I think there is some work left to be done for the "perfect" ball..!

[@oogamishibata1940]

Made a new ball and it less promising than the older Mikasa beach volleyball. The Mikasa big mistake is that they completely replace the good old VLS300 with that BV550c... They better watch their back when the number refund is reached to a revolution. But still, how can I really make that ball looks like the pic when I first obtained it?

[@uNu_CooL]

Where did you bought it?

[@LearnBeachVolleyballFast]

I was able to get one of the first release balls from Thailand.. But I think they are starting to be available in other countries now too..?

[@nilzomarpereira9735]

Onde podemos comprar a Nova bola mikasa bv550c

[@LearnBeachVolleyballFast]

En realidad, no lo sé, en Tailandia los venden (aquí es donde obtuve el mío), pero escuché que podrían tener problemas para producir suficientes o algo así. Supongo que más adelante este año serán fácilmente disponibles, a menos que se den cuenta de que la pelota es un error y creen otra versión más... 😅

[@tuexss]

In Germany we have a word for that and it's tankstellenball (gas station ball). Feels like paying 75€ for a 10€ product.

[@LearnBeachVolleyballFast]

Hahaha.. Yeah.. Unfortunately that is partially the feeling here. Not 100% but part of it.

[@michaelwinter3696]

I do love you’re though and admission to that point - but I it was it is. It’s a ball to play - to make it more entertaining. I remember that part back in the late 80s when they changed the ball (spalding-> mikasa) it was the worst. But I everyone accept that - especially the pros - there will be no change. And our society love the change - I look forward to test this amazing looking ball. Because it is round - like a ball should. Doesn’t soak wet. Doesn’t float so much What does else we want? 😊

[@timod7972]

Die Qualität finde ich auch nicht passend mit dem Preis😢. Bei Fußbällen merkt man ob man mit ein 10€ Ball oder 70€ Ball spielt, bei Volleyball sind die Nähte auch bei 70€ schlecht verarbeitet😂

[@andrew.tsurkan]

Around 2 min of watching I had a tear forming, midway through I could not stop crying, I paused the video shortly before the end to face the existential crisis Cheer up dude :)

[@LearnBeachVolleyballFast]

Hahaha.. 😅😅 I'm actually not so cheered up about this, I really like the sport and have built a big part of my life around it, but if this ball starts to get used "everywhere", well, a decently sized part of what I like about the sport is taken away unfortunately.. And we all know how difficult it is to convince people to play with a different ball than the one they perceive to be right... I dunno, it's just like can we not play with a ball that feels like a plastic replica ball?

[@andrew.tsurkan]

@@LearnBeachVolleyballFast My coach (Lennard Krapp) still uses mikasa vxt20 balls. a) they are still in one piece (VLS300 has a much shorter lifespan) b) they don't float as much (which turned out to be 'correct' vs VLS300) c) they offer better grip So in a nutshell the new ball attempts to obtain characteristics of the original ball using a cheaper tech. Additionally, the new ball is 30% more expensive (at least in Canada for now), so I doubt people are going to be 'jumping' on it. As it stands right now, I intend to use the VLS300 balls for now. Until the majority of ppl switch. It will be also interesting to see how long the new ball lasts. I generally go through 1.5 VLS300 through a season. So it would only make sense to switch to this ball if it lasts for 3 years. I also think that a ball that lasts a season, has a 30% chance of developing an air leak and can be deformed somewhat easily is a joke :)

[@LearnBeachVolleyballFast]

@@andrew.tsurkan Nice! In my perception the VLS300 balls have lasted very well compared to other balls, especially in rainy climates IF you take care of the valve (use valve oil) and dry them off immediately would they happen to go into salt (ocean) water. But there is a chance the Mikasa from before that lasted even more, I didn't play enough to know back then..! Do they get heavy from rain though with the additional seams?

[@larrydunn4626]

I cannot comment on your perception of "quality" or "invitingness". Each has their own preferences. However, as a player in Southern California for 35 years, I have played with everything from the all leather Spalding 18 panel , then Wilson all leather, then eventually Wilson composite.. .I think 3 or 4 generations of Wilson composites. Also Mikasa/Miramar King of the Beach. Also Molten Norceca V5B5000. In Socal water proofness isn't as much an issue perhaps as other places, so the Wilson's lack in that area isn't as important here. All of them are slightly different with regard to: - bounciness, - weight - water proofness, - seam prominence (makes spin grab the air) - grippiness (helps hand setting, helps apply spin to the ball while serving and attacking) The VLS300 is the worst ball I've ever touched regarding slipperiness, and lack of seams. Looks like they've helped just a little bit the unpredictible air floating behavior of the VLS300 by adding dimples to the BV550C.. Dimples are not seams, but they are something for the air to grab. What I want to know more than anything... is it the same slippery as the VLS300? Will some American players still have the ball slip through the fingers trying to hand set? If the VLS300 would have been more grippy, I might have liked it. Slippery is what replica balls are. The VLS300 always seeed like a replica because the coating was slippery. Topspin jump serving: because the VLS300 is more slippery than Wilson OPTX, it is hard to get topspin, because the hand slips off of, more than the hand grips, the surface of the VLS300 while hitting. Then in the air, even with topspin, because VLS300 has no seams, it doesn't catch the air to dip hard at the end. The spin does not "catch" the air to make it dip. So, this new Mikasa, if it is more grippy, it will help applying topspin with the hand. Then, because of the dimples of the BV550C, maybe it will grab the air somewhere in between the OPTX and the VLS300..

[@LearnBeachVolleyballFast]

Hey, thanks for the comment! I agree waterproofness not being as important in California, so I understand the ball is designed the way it is if it's designed by Californians.. Can't do anything about that I guess except point outthat most places in the world doesn't have Cali weather haha. So yeah.. This new mikasa compared to the now old mikasa, I think for handsetting roughly the same slipperiness. The material itself of the new one I believe is more slippery, but the dimples might help a bit. Then there's some padding between the bladder and the surface which creates a different type of softness than the softness from not having the ball pumped up all the way, and this "bladder softness" I think may compensate a bit for the slippery surface as well because the fingers "go in" slightly into the surface. But yeah, in the end I believe this ball will slip through some hands in handsetting. I agree out of the balls you mentioned, the VLS300 is the most slippery and the one that floats the most and I can see how people don't like that coming from an american ball perspective. However, in my mind the ball is still acceptable and in some aspects nicer to play with than the american balls, and the waterproof and long lasting qualities are so out of proportion compared to the wilson for example. Play with the wilson in the rain every now and then and it can be done in a month or two, a Mikasa VLS300 can still be going strong even after a couple of years of playing, rain or shine. If one would play with wilsons over mikasas in a place where it rains, and one cares about not playing with heavy balls, my guess is the ball budget has to be upped at least 5x because you'd need to replace balls so often.. Regarding the topspin, before I played with the new ball, I was thinking the same, the dimples should "grab the air" and make the ball curve down more agressively. It might be doing that a little compared to old mikasa (I need to try more) but I think nowhere near to the wilson. I don't know for sure but my theory is that this is because of the padding outside the bladder, which actually changes the mass ofthe ball relatively towards the middle rather than towards the outer perimeter of the ball. So there is less "mass spinning" (momentum) when the ball is spinning compared to other professional balls that don't have this padding. I might be mistaken in my physics here but I believe this has something to do with it. Now I am wondering if the general texture of the surface (the "feel" of the material) would be "grabbing the air" as well in addition to seams or dimples, in that case it would be logical that the BV550C would grab about the same amount of air as the VLS300 since the dimples are there but the rest of the surface area is even more slippery/plastic! Hope this gives some insight.

[@Sera-cd4eq]

In my opinion BV550C is more slippery than VLS300... I think thats the major problem with the new ball :/

[@LearnBeachVolleyballFast]

@@Sera-cd4eq Yes, slipperyness I guess is related to the "uninviting" surface.. However, there's some hope: The material gets better after it's "worn in" a little bit. Also, I heard some rumours of newer batches having a nicer material.. I guess the story continues..!

[@bjoernfischer]

in germany we would say, it looks like a "Tankstellenball", which basically means, it looks like ball bought at a gas station. :D it doesen't look high quality at all.. very dissapointed

[@LearnBeachVolleyballFast]

Hahah.. yeah.. That's unfortunately the feeling I get also. Fortunately though, it seems to get better after it is worn in a little bit. And I heard some very loose rumours about them changing the material to a nicer one, need confirmation for this though..!

[@Mel-ph4un]

Unfortunately, this ball is not perfectly round. In two places, the seams are done incorrectly and there are large holes. The old ball had the same problem. But the old bullet was softer, so the holes were smaller. They do not disappear over time. The new ball is stiff, like plastic. As the outside air becomes cooler, the ball also becomes harder. The old ball didn't change like that. sorry my english...

[@LearnBeachVolleyballFast]

Interesting! What do you mean with holes? Regarding the hardness in cold weather, according to me the old ball became a bit "leathery" in cold weather and bounced less and could hurt the hand when hitting.. But I haven't tried this new one in cold weather yet.. But since the outer material is thicker I can imagine it becomes even worse when cold.. 😬

[@Mel-ph4un]

@@LearnBeachVolleyballFast holes: kzbin.info/www/bejne/jGqkc3xomt2Yea8

[@eveli9083]

​@@LearnBeachVolleyballFast My ball was also like that. Tried to figure it out if it's meant to be like that or it's just messed up. Was your volleyball perfectly round when you received it?

[@LearnBeachVolleyballFast]

@@eveli9083 No they were not perfectly round.. Fortunately they become both rounder and less plastic with time once they wear in, at this point I don't mind a worn in one and in some ways it is nicer to play with than the old ball, but it would be cool if a future ball was good already from day 1..!

[@hamzakiker8422]

What a bout now, Aftre 2 monts you still gate the same issue ?????

[@makssadovskyi6636]

Guess bv550 not enough round, in the seems some deep ( my ball and saw another, the same), and its look cheap

[@LearnBeachVolleyballFast]

Yeah it seems like it's not perfectly round unfortunately.. I don't notice it really when I play with it but it is weird of course..!

[@montseroy4907]

Fun fact I would disagree with you nearly in each comment, semi pro player and I love the VLS300 floating. If you know how to serve that, is gold. I hate the Wilson fabric, non coated leader, just brut. And I am sure the feeling on the 550 it is because they are not using leader anymore, but some synthetic sh**, and this changes the feel of the ball, gives the feeling of cheap ball.

[@LearnBeachVolleyballFast]

Hahah, disagreements always welcome! 😁 Yeah personally slightly split on the VLS300 floats. Of course they are awesome when you are serving and do find the serve. And it is definitely possible to pass the floatserves as long as one learns how.. Except maybe 2% of the craziest floatserves that even the professionals shanked. Anyway I do think the new ball basically removes the absolute craziest floatserves and adds more effect to the topspin serves, leading to a game where you still have to be a very skillful at receiving floatserves, but players get a bit more incentive to topspin serves, which I think makes a game that is overall more varying, fun to watch and fun to play. But it also requires a player to have a strong topspin serve in order to continue being a threat as a server in high level games. Dunno, one can argue back and forth, I think I have landed in that the fact this ball floats a bit less and dives more on topspins, is a good thing for the game in my opinion! Regarding the Wilson material, I've actually never heard that argument, except for the purposes of playing in the rain. I like the feeling of the Wilson on a dry day, but the ball absorbs too much water for me to actually think it is a good ball overall. Here both of the Mikasas are much better. The BV550c is too plastic in the beginning according to me (I made this video just days after I got it), but after a few weeks it's pretty much the same amount of "plastic" as a brand new VLS300, which according to me is the perfect balance - properly waterproof but still nice to play with!

[@montseroy4907]

@@LearnBeachVolleyballFast the Wilson to me feels like the old white indoor mikasa, do you remember that one? Very hard ball, very fast but 0 floating and 0 fun. And with guys serving at 100mph becomes a game of just fast serving. To me the VLS300 is the best for pro players, it makes it more interesting. But also, you know, just an opinion :). And also triggered by playing with the VLS300 about 16 years…

[@LearnBeachVolleyballFast]

@@montseroy4907 Ahh no I actually don't know that ball! But I can imagine with 0 float, the game is boring in another way! I sort of think that the perfect beach volleyball might be a middle between VLS300 and BV550c, basically a VLS300 with dimples.. I'd be very curious to try to play with something like that at least!

[@MeepMeep88]

10:50 LOLLLLLLLL brutal. The whole spiel of how good quality balls feel in the hand, plays, and how it's the sole reason why you got into vball.. And you then just go "This ball ain't it" LOLLL

[@LearnBeachVolleyballFast]

Hahaha..! 😅😅 Well.. I was just honest. And it is literally the best way I could describe my feelings about the ball.. Now fortunately, it becomes better once it gets worn in, update video coming hopefully tomorrow! 😅

[@MeepMeep88]

@@LearnBeachVolleyballFast Whoo whoo Now that the waterproof coating is worn/sanded off, it's a little better right? Lol

[@LearnBeachVolleyballFast]

@@MeepMeep88 Hahah yes basically. Once the shiniest shine is gone it becomes more or less like the older balls.

[@user-hm9tc5mm6s]

он какой то более глянцевый.... а старый более матовый..походу материал старого -лучше

[@LearnBeachVolleyballFast]

да, я согласен, что старый материал лучше.. этот просто разочарование.

[@atfirstiamhuman9183]

Man this fits right into what i have heard do far "feels like a cheap ball from the gas station". So not excited :/

[@LearnBeachVolleyballFast]

Yeah.. There is a chance it softens up a bit with time, I'm not going to dismiss it completely until I know more about that (I guess in a month or two I'll know), but yeah.. we'll see. Time for revolution or no?

[@WolfsSchwein]

I dont wanna have an indoorball for my beach! Its just ugly..the ready is so much not needed...well lets how my feeling is if i have it in my hands

[@LearnBeachVolleyballFast]

To be honest, to me it feels more like one of the 2 most recent professional Mikasa indoor balls (not only because of the dimples but also the material and texture) than a professional beach volleyball. Or well, it's something inbetween the now old Mikasa VLS300 beach ball and the Mikasa indoor balls, but it's (according to me) like 65% like the indoor balls and 35% like the old beach ball... And yes I play beach because I like beach and I don't play indoor because I like beach more, so I pretty much agree with you here. Let beach be beach and indoor be something else (this was also my opinion when it came to handsetting last summer, there is a reason things are the way they are and should stay so..) But of course everyone should form their own opinion, I can be biased and wrong..

[@WolfsSchwein]

@@LearnBeachVolleyballFast for sure and i also play indoor. dont you think this new ball is a bit worse in light rain weather? Yes i play sometimes on a little rainy weather..i live in germany :P I liked your call about the feeling. Its such a different to feel the Beachvolleyball ball ;)..and welll..why more colours?

[@LearnBeachVolleyballFast]

@@WolfsSchwein Hahah yeah.. So how this ball is in rain I do not know yet my guess is it will not become heavy from rain (UNLESS the padding under the plastic surface starts absorbing water either through the valve hole or through damages to the surface, if this was the case it would basically be a catastrophe of a ball but I have no proof of this happening I just see a little potential in the valve hole..) I was thinking the dimples would give a bit of extra grip when handsetting in rain, but I'm not sure about if that will be the case or not yet. The plastic surface is a bit extra slippery at the same time so..

[@LearnBeachVolleyballFast]

@@WolfsSchwein Haha and regarding to colors, can't say I am a fan, maybe the ugliest ball so far to be honest. The VLS300 looks so simple and clean and stylish compared to this one. But that's I guess a purely perceptional opinion, and I wouldn't mind an ugly ball if it's actually good.. But a worse and uglier ball... Ahh whatever..

[@LearnBeachVolleyballFast]

@@WolfsSchwein Do you like the Mikasa balls indoor? For some reason I don't mind the plasticness nearly as much in indoor volleyball (the few times I happen to play it.)

[@user-hm9tc5mm6s]

походу "микаса" решила сделать менее качественный мяч, и больше зарабатывать денег на их продаже... предварительное устаревание

[@LearnBeachVolleyballFast]

к сожалению, это похоже на правду.. Честно говоря, я немного удивлюсь, если эта замена мяча не приведет к каким-то протестам..

[@jorgpeter4384]

I appreciate your review, but please could u be a bit more to the point with less talking around?

[@LearnBeachVolleyballFast]

Thanks! :) Good question! I always try to find the "perfect balance" between how much to leave out and how much to keep in my videos.. Being honest and painting the full picture and not leaving out important details (so that people might misunderstand me) are important values to me, and my most hardcore followers (which is also where I make my living from) seem to appreciate those values so I'm not really ready to drop that. If there are ideas for shorter delivery that would still allow me to be my authentic self I'm all ears, but so far I haven't found a solution that would make everyone happy. My tip would be to listen to the videos at 1.25x or 1.5x speed or in the background while doing other tasks (kinda like listening to a podcast) if time is a problem (I often do that myself on videos that I am like 50% interested in!) So of course I'm really interested in bettering my delivery style, but I'm not going to sell myself out and stop being who I am for that.. If I'd accept doing things I can't stand for/be proud of, it would probably be easier for me to go grab a random semi-uninteresting job and not make any videos at all, rather than making videos that I dislike.. 😬 If my delivery style is not good enough even with workarounds like 1.5x speed, background listening etc, I guess there are other beach volleyball KZbin channels also - but I won't guarantee they talk about the same topics as I do, or even care deeply about if what they say is true or not! :) (Haha hope this answer was enough "to the point" and not too much "talking around".. I guess the short version would be "Nah I won't stop being me, so just listen to 1.5x speed or go watch other KZbinrs", but I don't really like that kind of vibe/style so it is what it is..! Can't make everyone happy I learned! 🙂)

[@user-hm9tc5mm6s]

хрень полная, планировать может любой мяч ,даже футбольный. и это не зависит от материала и веса мяча.. планер зависит от стиля удара и скорости ,и отсутствия вращения

[@LearnBeachVolleyballFast]

да, я думаю, но, например, мяч Уилсона скользит/плавает иначе, чем (теперь) старая микаса, и это имеет значение для игры, по крайней мере, мое мнение.

[@nikitazolkin2566]

The floating dependents of the elements shapes and the seams. So, new Mikasa will flow less

[@user-hm9tc5mm6s]

​@@LearnBeachVolleyballFast perhaps the mikasa producers and the beach volleyball federation want to make the game more spectacular) "beautiful", and for this it is necessary to make less "glider" ... so that it is easier to receive the serve, and there are more rallies. for spectators, and indeed for all players ... a downed serve is not pleasant) .. and no one is interested in winning a game on good ball serves "gliders"

[@LearnBeachVolleyballFast]

@@user-hm9tc5mm6s Yes I think this is true, and I agree with it. If the ball floats so much that the winner of the game is the team that by chance gets the crazy float serves, then in a sense is becomes more like a game of luck (lottery) than a game of skill (juggling). We will see. Yesterday I played with the BV500C and it felt less bad than before.. Maybe it will get softer and better with time plus you get used to it so then it is not as bad..