Volley-ball · Faits intéressants
Chapitre 5 : Équipement et technologie
10 tests · 100 faits · mis à jour le 26 octobre 2026 · markdown
The objects and the tools of the game: Mikasa and Molten, the modern match ball, Japanese shoe and kit makers, the floors of the Olympics, the video challenge, scouting software, a volleyball film star and jump counters.
5.51Mikasa
A rubber company of 1917, sandals and dodgeballs, and the ball of the Olympics.
Test 1MikasaFaire un test
Masutaro Masuda set it up as a rubber company.
Source : Mikasa Corporation company history and profile; CEV, 'Long term and fruitful' (Mikasa partnership); Hiroshima Peace Media · restitution
Gomu is Japanese for rubber.
Source : Mikasa Corporation company history and profile; CEV, 'Long term and fruitful' (Mikasa partnership); Hiroshima Peace Media · restitution
Masutaro Masuda's firm started with everyday rubber goods.
Source : Mikasa Corporation company history and profile; CEV, 'Long term and fruitful' (Mikasa partnership); Hiroshima Peace Media · restitution
The other three founded Molten, Mizuno and ASICS.
Source : Mikasa Corporation company history and profile; CEV, 'Long term and fruitful' (Mikasa partnership); Hiroshima Peace Media · restitution
The company merged with rival rubber firms in the early 1940s.
Source : Mikasa Corporation company history and profile; CEV, 'Long term and fruitful' (Mikasa partnership); Hiroshima Peace Media · restitution
The Olympic debut had come five years earlier.
Source : Mikasa Corporation company history and profile; CEV, 'Long term and fruitful' (Mikasa partnership); Hiroshima Peace Media · restitution
The Hiroshima ball maker and the tableware company are separate.
Source : Mikasa Corporation company history and profile; CEV, 'Long term and fruitful' (Mikasa partnership); Hiroshima Peace Media · restitution
1917, 1935, 1964 and 1969.
Source : Mikasa Corporation company history and profile; CEV, 'Long term and fruitful' (Mikasa partnership); Hiroshima Peace Media · restitution
1906, 1917, 1949 and 1958.
Source : Mikasa Corporation company history and profile; CEV, 'Long term and fruitful' (Mikasa partnership); Hiroshima Peace Media · restitution
Mikasa volleyballs first appeared at the Olympics in Tokyo.
Source : Mikasa Corporation company history and profile; CEV, 'Long term and fruitful' (Mikasa partnership); Hiroshima Peace Media · application
5.52Molten
A Hiroshima factory of 1958, an early approval for volleyball and balls for many sports.
Test 1MoltenFaire un test
Like Mikasa, Molten comes from Hiroshima.
Source : Molten Corporation, company history (molten.co.jp); Molten USA on the NCAA Volleyball Championships ball · restitution
He led the company from its founding.
Source : Molten Corporation, company history (molten.co.jp); Molten USA on the NCAA Volleyball Championships ball · restitution
Approval came barely a year and a half after the first ball.
Source : Molten Corporation, company history (molten.co.jp); Molten USA on the NCAA Volleyball Championships ball · restitution
The same year as Mikasa's official designation.
Source : Molten Corporation, company history (molten.co.jp); Molten USA on the NCAA Volleyball Championships ball · restitution
It changed its company name in October 1983.
Source : Molten Corporation, company history (molten.co.jp); Molten USA on the NCAA Volleyball Championships ball · restitution
The selection was announced in November 1981.
Source : Molten Corporation, company history (molten.co.jp); Molten USA on the NCAA Volleyball Championships ball · restitution
It also supplies USA Volleyball and many state associations.
Source : Molten Corporation, company history (molten.co.jp); Molten USA on the NCAA Volleyball Championships ball · restitution
1958, 1960, 1969 and 1983.
Source : Molten Corporation, company history (molten.co.jp); Molten USA on the NCAA Volleyball Championships ball · restitution
1969, April 1973 and May 1975.
Source : Molten Corporation, company history (molten.co.jp); Molten USA on the NCAA Volleyball Championships ball · restitution
Molten's first ball came three months after its head factory opened.
Source : Molten Corporation, company history (molten.co.jp); Molten USA on the NCAA Volleyball Championships ball · application
5.53The Modern Match Ball
The V200W and its 18 panels, the ball it replaced and the dimples on its skin.
Test 1the modern match ballFaire un test
The new panel layout was the main change from the previous ball.
Source : FIVB and Mikasa on the V200W reveal at the 36th FIVB World Congress, Cancun; Volleyball Alberta on the V200W and the MVA200 · restitution
The older ball was gradually discontinued.
Source : FIVB and Mikasa on the V200W reveal at the 36th FIVB World Congress, Cancun; Volleyball Alberta on the V200W and the MVA200 · restitution
Core and cover stayed identical.
Source : FIVB and Mikasa on the V200W reveal at the 36th FIVB World Congress, Cancun; Volleyball Alberta on the V200W and the MVA200 · restitution
The dimples help against sweat and stabilise the flight.
Source : FIVB and Mikasa on the V200W reveal at the 36th FIVB World Congress, Cancun; Volleyball Alberta on the V200W and the MVA200 · restitution
It was revealed by the FIVB and Mikasa together.
Source : FIVB and Mikasa on the V200W reveal at the 36th FIVB World Congress, Cancun; Volleyball Alberta on the V200W and the MVA200 · restitution
The bright panels are easy to follow on screen.
Source : FIVB and Mikasa on the V200W reveal at the 36th FIVB World Congress, Cancun; Volleyball Alberta on the V200W and the MVA200 · restitution
It became the ball of the Tokyo Olympics.
Source : FIVB and Mikasa on the V200W reveal at the 36th FIVB World Congress, Cancun; Volleyball Alberta on the V200W and the MVA200 · restitution
The 1890s ball, then the MVA200, then the V200W from 2019.
Source : FIVB and Mikasa on the V200W reveal at the 36th FIVB World Congress, Cancun; Volleyball Alberta on the V200W and the MVA200 · restitution
The V200W was revealed in Cancún, sold from 2019 and used in Tokyo.
Source : FIVB and Mikasa on the V200W reveal at the 36th FIVB World Congress, Cancun; Volleyball Alberta on the V200W and the MVA200 · restitution
The V200W was revealed at the FIVB World Congress in Cancún, Mexico.
Source : FIVB and Mikasa on the V200W reveal at the 36th FIVB World Congress, Cancun; Volleyball Alberta on the V200W and the MVA200 · application
5.54Shoe Makers from Japan
A Kobe company of 1949 named after a Latin motto, and an Osaka shop of 1906.
Test 1shoe makers from JapanFaire un test
It started as Onitsuka Shokai, with two employees.
Source : ASICS corporate history (corp.asics.com); Mizuno corporate history (corp.mizuno.com) · restitution
Anima Sana In Corpore Sano: a sound mind in a sound body.
Source : ASICS corporate history (corp.asics.com); Mizuno corporate history (corp.mizuno.com) · restitution
A wartime friend, Kohei Hori, suggested the phrase.
Source : ASICS corporate history (corp.asics.com); Mizuno corporate history (corp.mizuno.com) · restitution
The company grew into one of the world's big sports brands.
Source : ASICS corporate history (corp.asics.com); Mizuno corporate history (corp.mizuno.com) · restitution
The friend was Kohei Hori; Onitsuka took up his idea.
Source : ASICS corporate history (corp.asics.com); Mizuno corporate history (corp.mizuno.com) · restitution
Onitsuka and two other firms came together.
Source : ASICS corporate history (corp.asics.com); Mizuno corporate history (corp.mizuno.com) · restitution
It was reorganised as Onitsuka Co., Ltd. the same year.
Source : ASICS corporate history (corp.asics.com); Mizuno corporate history (corp.mizuno.com) · restitution
The words come from a line by the Roman poet Juvenal.
Source : ASICS corporate history (corp.asics.com); Mizuno corporate history (corp.mizuno.com) · restitution
1910, 1933 and 1949.
Source : ASICS corporate history (corp.asics.com); Mizuno corporate history (corp.mizuno.com) · restitution
Kihachiro Onitsuka's Kobe company later became ASICS.
Source : ASICS corporate history (corp.asics.com); Mizuno corporate history (corp.mizuno.com) · application
5.55The Floors of the Olympics
A French sports floor at every Games from Montreal 1976, and a long FIVB partnership.
Test 1the floors of the OlympicsFaire un test
It is made by the French company Gerflor.
Source : Gerflor press releases on Taraflex at the Olympic Games (2012, 2016) and the FIVB partnership renewal (2016) · restitution
Badminton and table tennis followed at later Games.
Source : Gerflor press releases on Taraflex at the Olympic Games (2012, 2016) and the FIVB partnership renewal (2016) · restitution
The French company supplies floors to Olympic and FIVB events.
Source : Gerflor press releases on Taraflex at the Olympic Games (2012, 2016) and the FIVB partnership renewal (2016) · restitution
Rio marked 40 years of the Olympic tradition.
Source : Gerflor press releases on Taraflex at the Olympic Games (2012, 2016) and the FIVB partnership renewal (2016) · restitution
The partnership was renewed again for 2017-2020.
Source : Gerflor press releases on Taraflex at the Olympic Games (2012, 2016) and the FIVB partnership renewal (2016) · restitution
Olympic supply began in 1976, Paralympic supply in 2012.
Source : Gerflor press releases on Taraflex at the Olympic Games (2012, 2016) and the FIVB partnership renewal (2016) · restitution
It took the partnership up to the Tokyo Olympics.
Source : Gerflor press releases on Taraflex at the Olympic Games (2012, 2016) and the FIVB partnership renewal (2016) · restitution
1976, 1997, 2005 and 2012.
Source : Gerflor press releases on Taraflex at the Olympic Games (2012, 2016) and the FIVB partnership renewal (2016) · restitution
1976, 1988, 2012 and 2016.
Source : Gerflor press releases on Taraflex at the Olympic Games (2012, 2016) and the FIVB partnership renewal (2016) · restitution
Taraflex made its Olympic debut at Montreal 1976.
Source : Gerflor press releases on Taraflex at the Olympic Games (2012, 2016) and the FIVB partnership renewal (2016) · application
5.56Video Challenge
From a club world championship in 2012 to 399 challenges in Rio.
Test 1the video challengeFaire un test
It was not used consistently until 2016.
Source : FIVB, 'The legacy of innovation during President Graca's mandate' (2024); VolleyMob, 'New technological additions in Manila' (2016) · restitution
It has since become a fixture at FIVB events.
Source : FIVB, 'The legacy of innovation during President Graca's mandate' (2024); VolleyMob, 'New technological additions in Manila' (2016) · restitution
A good share of them changed the call.
Source : FIVB, 'The legacy of innovation during President Graca's mandate' (2024); VolleyMob, 'New technological additions in Manila' (2016) · restitution
His motto was 'Innovation and Opportunity'.
Source : FIVB, 'The legacy of innovation during President Graca's mandate' (2024); VolleyMob, 'New technological additions in Manila' (2016) · restitution
It spread from Rio to every FIVB event.
Source : FIVB, 'The legacy of innovation during President Graca's mandate' (2024); VolleyMob, 'New technological additions in Manila' (2016) · restitution
Facts of play, such as in or out, net touches and block touches, are checked.
Source : FIVB, 'The legacy of innovation during President Graca's mandate' (2024); VolleyMob, 'New technological additions in Manila' (2016) · restitution
He led the FIVB for 12 years.
Source : FIVB, 'The legacy of innovation during President Graca's mandate' (2024); VolleyMob, 'New technological additions in Manila' (2016) · restitution
2012, 2016 and after.
Source : FIVB, 'The legacy of innovation during President Graca's mandate' (2024); VolleyMob, 'New technological additions in Manila' (2016) · restitution
The rally's facts are checked on video before play goes on.
Source : FIVB, 'The legacy of innovation during President Graca's mandate' (2024); VolleyMob, 'New technological additions in Manila' (2016) · restitution
159 of the 399 challenges at Rio changed the decision.
Source : FIVB, 'The legacy of innovation during President Graca's mandate' (2024); VolleyMob, 'New technological additions in Manila' (2016) · application
5.57Scouting Software
Data Volley, the files it writes and the company behind it.
Test 1scouting softwareFaire un test
Every technical action in a match is recorded.
Source : Data Project, Data Volley 2007 handbook (dataproject.com); Journal of Big Data (2025) on the .dvw scouting format · restitution
The .dvw files hold a structured record of a match.
Source : Data Project, Data Volley 2007 handbook (dataproject.com); Journal of Big Data (2025) on the .dvw scouting format · restitution
Its website is dataproject.com.
Source : Data Project, Data Volley 2007 handbook (dataproject.com); Journal of Big Data (2025) on the .dvw scouting format · restitution
Software development and customer service were in Salerno.
Source : Data Project, Data Volley 2007 handbook (dataproject.com); Journal of Big Data (2025) on the .dvw scouting format · restitution
The head office was in Bologna.
Source : Data Project, Data Volley 2007 handbook (dataproject.com); Journal of Big Data (2025) on the .dvw scouting format · restitution
Researchers have to work with the files it exports.
Source : Data Project, Data Volley 2007 handbook (dataproject.com); Journal of Big Data (2025) on the .dvw scouting format · restitution
It helps staff prepare matches from the data.
Source : Data Project, Data Volley 2007 handbook (dataproject.com); Journal of Big Data (2025) on the .dvw scouting format · restitution
Coding during the match feeds the analysis afterwards.
Source : Data Project, Data Volley 2007 handbook (dataproject.com); Journal of Big Data (2025) on the .dvw scouting format · restitution
Data Project's head office was in Bologna and its developers in Salerno.
Source : Data Project, Data Volley 2007 handbook (dataproject.com); Journal of Big Data (2025) on the .dvw scouting format · restitution
Data Project, maker of Data Volley, is Italian.
Source : Data Project, Data Volley 2007 handbook (dataproject.com); Journal of Big Data (2025) on the .dvw scouting format · application
5.58A Volleyball Film Star
Wilson, the ball with a painted face, and what it fetched at auction.
Test 1a volleyball film starFaire un test
Tom Hanks's character paints a face on the ball.
Source : The Times, Snopes and InsideHook on the 2021 Propstore sale; Robb Report and Bloomberg on the 2022 sale · restitution
It sold for £230,000.
Source : The Times, Snopes and InsideHook on the 2021 Propstore sale; Robb Report and Bloomberg on the 2022 sale · restitution
It sold for nearly four times its estimate.
Source : The Times, Snopes and InsideHook on the 2021 Propstore sale; Robb Report and Bloomberg on the 2022 sale · restitution
It was a second ball from the production.
Source : The Times, Snopes and InsideHook on the 2021 Propstore sale; Robb Report and Bloomberg on the 2022 sale · restitution
Films often make several copies of a prop.
Source : The Times, Snopes and InsideHook on the 2021 Propstore sale; Robb Report and Bloomberg on the 2022 sale · restitution
The buyer's name was not given.
Source : The Times, Snopes and InsideHook on the 2021 Propstore sale; Robb Report and Bloomberg on the 2022 sale · restitution
The castaway names the ball after the maker's logo.
Source : The Times, Snopes and InsideHook on the 2021 Propstore sale; Robb Report and Bloomberg on the 2022 sale · restitution
£60,000, £75,000 and £230,000.
Source : The Times, Snopes and InsideHook on the 2021 Propstore sale; Robb Report and Bloomberg on the 2022 sale · restitution
2000, 2021 and 2022.
Source : The Times, Snopes and InsideHook on the 2021 Propstore sale; Robb Report and Bloomberg on the 2022 sale · restitution
The ball, named Wilson, became one of film's best-known props.
Source : The Times, Snopes and InsideHook on the 2021 Propstore sale; Robb Report and Bloomberg on the 2022 sale · application
5.59Jump Counters
A sensor the size of a USB stick that counts every jump, and how well it measures.
Test 1jump countersFaire un test
Coaches watch the figures live on a phone or tablet.
Source : Sports Illustrated (2015) and USA Volleyball (2017) on VERT; Biology of Sport (2017), 'Validation of the VERT wearable jump monitor' · restitution
Later versions fit into a waist belt.
Source : Sports Illustrated (2015) and USA Volleyball (2017) on VERT; Biology of Sport (2017), 'Validation of the VERT wearable jump monitor' · restitution
It is worn in a belt at the waist.
Source : Sports Illustrated (2015) and USA Volleyball (2017) on VERT; Biology of Sport (2017), 'Validation of the VERT wearable jump monitor' · restitution
The deal was extended in 2017 to run to 2020.
Source : Sports Illustrated (2015) and USA Volleyball (2017) on VERT; Biology of Sport (2017), 'Validation of the VERT wearable jump monitor' · restitution
Their attack jumps were measured both ways.
Source : Sports Illustrated (2015) and USA Volleyball (2017) on VERT; Biology of Sport (2017), 'Validation of the VERT wearable jump monitor' · restitution
76.3 cm on VERT against 70.9 cm on the ruler.
Source : Sports Illustrated (2015) and USA Volleyball (2017) on VERT; Biology of Sport (2017), 'Validation of the VERT wearable jump monitor' · restitution
It worked with iOS devices.
Source : Sports Illustrated (2015) and USA Volleyball (2017) on VERT; Biology of Sport (2017), 'Validation of the VERT wearable jump monitor' · restitution
Summer 2014, March 2017 and 2020.
Source : Sports Illustrated (2015) and USA Volleyball (2017) on VERT; Biology of Sport (2017), 'Validation of the VERT wearable jump monitor' · restitution
0.75, 70.9 and 76.3.
Source : Sports Illustrated (2015) and USA Volleyball (2017) on VERT; Biology of Sport (2017), 'Validation of the VERT wearable jump monitor' · restitution
VERT-style wearables track jump load in training.
Source : Sports Illustrated (2015) and USA Volleyball (2017) on VERT; Biology of Sport (2017), 'Validation of the VERT wearable jump monitor' · application
5.60Brands Behind the Kit
From a 1906 shop in Osaka to a Kobe company: the brands that dress volleyball players.
Test 1brands behind the kitFaire un test
Rihachi lived from 1884 to 1970.
Source : ASICS corporate history (corp.asics.com); Mizuno corporate history (corp.mizuno.com) · restitution
Golf clubs followed twenty years later.
Source : ASICS corporate history (corp.asics.com); Mizuno corporate history (corp.mizuno.com) · restitution
Mizuno spread into many sports.
Source : ASICS corporate history (corp.asics.com); Mizuno corporate history (corp.mizuno.com) · restitution
The name has stayed the same since.
Source : ASICS corporate history (corp.asics.com); Mizuno corporate history (corp.mizuno.com) · restitution
Rihachi Mizuno and his younger brother Rizo founded it.
Source : ASICS corporate history (corp.asics.com); Mizuno corporate history (corp.mizuno.com) · restitution
His first shop sold western goods, baseballs among them.
Source : ASICS corporate history (corp.asics.com); Mizuno corporate history (corp.mizuno.com) · restitution
Sports shoes have come a long way since.
Source : ASICS corporate history (corp.asics.com); Mizuno corporate history (corp.mizuno.com) · restitution
1906, 1941, 1949 and 1977.
Source : ASICS corporate history (corp.asics.com); Mizuno corporate history (corp.mizuno.com) · restitution
1910, 1913 and 1933.
Source : ASICS corporate history (corp.asics.com); Mizuno corporate history (corp.mizuno.com) · restitution
Mizuno Brothers opened in Osaka in 1906.
Source : ASICS corporate history (corp.asics.com); Mizuno corporate history (corp.mizuno.com) · application
Sources
Primary/official sources only, no Wikipedia citations: the International Volleyball Hall of Fame, the FIVB and Volleyball World, the CEV, the NCAA, the IOC, World ParaVolley, the federations', clubs' and leagues' own histories, Guinness World Records and named reputable media.
- ASICS corporate history (corp.asics.com); Mizuno corporate history (corp.mizuno.com)20
- Mikasa Corporation company history and profile; CEV, 'Long term and fruitful' (Mikasa partnership); Hiroshima Peace Media10
- Molten Corporation, company history (molten.co.jp); Molten USA on the NCAA Volleyball Championships ball10
- FIVB and Mikasa on the V200W reveal at the 36th FIVB World Congress, Cancun; Volleyball Alberta on the V200W and the MVA20010
- Gerflor press releases on Taraflex at the Olympic Games (2012, 2016) and the FIVB partnership renewal (2016)10
- FIVB, 'The legacy of innovation during President Graca's mandate' (2024); VolleyMob, 'New technological additions in Manila' (2016)10
- Data Project, Data Volley 2007 handbook (dataproject.com); Journal of Big Data (2025) on the .dvw scouting format10
- The Times, Snopes and InsideHook on the 2021 Propstore sale; Robb Report and Bloomberg on the 2022 sale10
- Sports Illustrated (2015) and USA Volleyball (2017) on VERT; Biology of Sport (2017), 'Validation of the VERT wearable jump monitor'10