PDF download Download Article
If you need to let the air out of your basketball, these ideas are a slam dunk
PDF download Download Article

Sometimes basketballs deflate on their own: maybe because of cold weather, or simply because it’s an old ball and the air has slowly leaked out. But what if you want to intentionally deflate a basketball? You might need to store it for winter or pack it for a trip. Or maybe it was overinflated and bounces too high. The good news is, it’s easy to deflate your ball with an air pressure gauge or an inflation needle. No needle? No worries! We’ve rounded up a bunch of other methods for deflating a basketball using common household items. Score!

Things You Should Know

  • Insert a lubricated inflation needle in your basketball's valve to quickly deflate it.
  • Let air out of your basketball by sticking a ball air pressure gauge inside the valve and pressing the air release button.
  • Poke a paper clip, bobby pin, or empty pen chamber into the valve to release air and deflate your ball.
  • Place your basketball in the fridge to lower its air pressure and deflate it slightly.
Method 1
Method 1 of 6:

Inflation Needle

PDF download Download Article
  1. Wet the inflation needle with water (some people lick it, but that isn’t exactly hygienic). Push the needle inside your basketball’s round valve opening.You'll hear a hiss of air. [1]
    • An inflation needle is a small metal rod with a pointed end. You can find one at any store that sells sporting goods, or you can buy one online.
  2. If you just want to remove a little air from an overinflated ball, this only takes 2 or 3 seconds. If you’re completely deflating your ball, apply extra pressure by squeezing it as the air releases. [2] Then pull the needle out gently, being careful to not yank out the valve.
    Advertisement
  3. Hold your ball like a referee, extending your arm upward so your ball is even with the top of your head. Drop your ball: if it bounces up to elbow height, it’s properly inflated. If your ball bounces lower, add more air . If it bounces higher than your elbow, release a bit more air. [3]
  4. Advertisement
Method 2
Method 2 of 6:

Air Pressure Gauge

PDF download Download Article
  1. Lubricate the tip of a ball air pressure gauge with water or glycerin before placing it in the valve. [4] This gadget measures the PSI (pounds per square inch, or kPa) of air in a ball. [5]
  2. [6] The air pressure gauge has a button located on the side. Push and hold the button down to release air from your basketball.
  3. Examine your ball for pressure specs. Most basketballs have inflation instructions printed on them. If the instructions are worn off, rely on the standard of 7.5 - 8.5 PSI (51.71 - 58.60 kPa). [7] Monitor the gauge and gently remove it from the valve when it displays the correct pressure. It’s game time! [8]
  4. Advertisement
Method 3
Method 3 of 6:

Paper Clip

PDF download Download Article
  1. Make one end of the paper clip as straight as possible. Lubricate the straightened end with water, then sit in a chair with your basketball held firmly between your knees. Gently slide the straight end of the paperclip into the valve. [9]
    • This method isn’t as reliable as using an inflation needle or pressure gauge. It’s possible to damage the valve with the sharp metal end of the paperclip, so be gentle!
  2. If you're trying to slightly deflate an overinflated basketball, it will only take a few seconds to release the air. Or, leave the paper clip in longer if you’re trying to flatten your ball. Once you've let out as much air as you want, carefully slide the paperclip out of the valve. [10]
    • You can squeeze your ball a bit to speed up the process, but don’t exert too much pressure or you might damage your ball.
  3. While holding your ball, extend your arm upward so your ball is even with the top of your head. Drop your ball: if it bounces up to elbow height, it’s properly inflated. If it bounces lower, add more air by inflating your basketball . If it bounces higher than your elbow, release more air. [11]
  4. Advertisement
Method 4
Method 4 of 6:

Bobby Pin

PDF download Download Article
  1. Listen for a hiss of air as you push the closed end of a bobby pin inside your basketball’s valve. [12] If you can’t hear any air, spread the prongs of the bobby pin apart slightly. This widens the valve opening. [13]
  2. Once your basketball has deflated for a few seconds, pinch the prongs of the bobby pin shut. Gently slide the bobby pin out of the valve. [14]
  3. Hold your ball even with the top of your head and drop it. If it bounces higher than your elbow, release air; if it bounces lower, add air to your basketball . If it bounces up to your elbow, you're good to go! [15]
  4. Advertisement
Method 5
Method 5 of 6:

Ballpoint Pen

PDF download Download Article
  1. Remove the ink chamber from a ballpoint pen and take off the nib. Wash out the ink chamber, or snip off a portion of the chamber that doesn’t contain ink. [16]
    • A ballpoint pen is better than a gel pen because gel pens have thicker chambers.
  2. After lubricating the ink chamber with water, apply gentle pressure as you slide it into your basketball’s valve. You’ll hear a hiss as the air escapes your ball.
  3. It will only take a couple of seconds if you just need to reduce the pressure a bit. To deflate your basketball fully, it will take a minute or two. You can squeeze it to release the air more quickly. [17]
  4. Before hitting the court, hold the ball so it’s even with the top of your head and drop it. If it bounces up to elbow height, game on! If it bounces lower, add more air to your basketball . If it bounces higher than your elbow, deflate it a bit more. [18]
  5. Advertisement
Method 6
Method 6 of 6:

Refrigerator

PDF download Download Article
  1. Keep the basketball inside the refrigerator until it’s cold. (Expect questions from your roommates or family about why there’s a basketball in the fridge!) The pressure will drop about 1 PSI (6.9 kPa) after an hour in the refrigerator. [19]
    • Extreme temperatures change the amount of pressure inside a ball. Cold temperatures reduce the pressure because the air molecules have less thermal energy. Science! [20]
  2. Hold the ball so it’s even with the top of your head and drop it. If it bounces up to elbow height, it’s perfect for playing. If it bounces lower than your elbow, inflate your basketball a bit more. [21]
  3. If your basketball bounces higher than your elbow, it’s still overinflated. [22] Squeeze your ball to release a bit more air, then put it back in your fridge and repeat the process.
  4. Advertisement

Expert Q&A

Ask a Question
      Advertisement

      Tips

      Submit a Tip
      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
      Name
      Please provide your name and last initial
      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!

      About This Article

      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 38,954 times.

      Did this article help you?

      Advertisement