Ball Rebound Height Test Machine (FH-1389)

One machine. Six sports. The rebound test done right.

The FH-1389 measures ball rebound height for basketball, football (soccer), volleyball, handball, tennis, and pickleball — across a drop height range of 1,000–2,450mm with ±10mm display accuracy on a concrete base board. A suction-cup release mechanism holds the ball without deformation at the set height; motor-driven positioning sets the drop point precisely; and the measurement system captures the rebound height as the ball rises. Raise the ball by hand to the suction cup, set the drop height, release — the machine does the rest.

Quick Specs

• Applicable balls: Basketball, football, volleyball, handball, tennis, pickleball (50–260mm diameter)

• Drop height range: 1,000–2,450mm (settable)

• Measurement range: 300–1,600mm

• Display accuracy: ±10mm

• Height adjustment: Motor-driven

• Contact base: Concrete board

• Ball release: Suction cup (pneumatic release)

• Air supply: 0.5–0.75MPa

• Power: AC 220V / 50Hz, 800W

• Dimensions: 1240 × 700 × 3070mm (L×W×H)

• Weight: ~260kg

 Table of Contents

1. Why Ball Rebound Height Testing Matters

2. Overview of the FH-1389 Test Machine

3. Standards Covered: FIBA, FIFA, ITF, FIVB, IHF and More

4. Applicable Ball Types and Drop Height Requirements

5. Design Features of the FH-1389

6. Technical Specifications

7. How the FH-1389 Testing Process Works

8. Benefits for Ball Manufacturers and Testing Labs

9. Choosing the Right Ball Rebound Tester

10. Real-World Application Scenarios

11. FAQs for the FH-1389

12. Related Testing Equipment

13. Get a Quote from Feihong Machine

Why Ball Rebound Height Testing Matters

A ball's rebound height is not a cosmetic property — it is the primary mechanical performance indicator that determines whether a ball plays the way athletes and governing bodies expect. A basketball that rebounds 10% below specification will behave unpredictably on dribbles and bounces; a football that rebounds outside the FIFA-specified range will not perform consistently across different climates; a tennis ball that fails the ITF drop test will be rejected by tournament organizers regardless of how it looks or how its other properties measure.

Rebound height is a direct function of the ball's internal pressure, shell material stiffness, and construction quality — all of which degrade with use, temperature change, and storage. For manufacturers, rebound testing is both a quality control requirement and a certification prerequisite: governing bodies including FIBA (basketball), FIFA (football), ITF (tennis), FIVB (volleyball), and IHF (handball) all specify rebound height ranges in their ball approval programs, and products submitted for official approval are tested against these specifications under controlled drop conditions on defined surface types.

Manual drop tests — where an operator drops the ball by hand from a measured height and eyeballs the rebound — introduce operator-to-operator variability in release height, ball orientation, and rebound reading that is unacceptable for certification-grade data. A standardized ball rebound test machine with controlled drop height, consistent suction-cup release, and instrument-grade height measurement eliminates this variability, producing the repeatable, documentable results that certification submissions, production QC programs, and incoming inspection require.

Overview of the FH-1389 Ball Rebound Height Test Machine

The FH-1389 is a motor-positioned, suction-cup-release ball rebound height tester covering the full range of major sports ball sizes — from 50mm diameter pickleball and tennis balls to 260mm diameter basketballs — with a single machine and suction cup changeover for significantly different size ranges.

The operating principle is straightforward and reproducible: the ball is raised by hand to the suction cup fixture at the programmed drop height; the pneumatic suction system holds the ball securely without deforming the shell; on release command, air pressure releases the suction and the ball drops in free fall to the concrete base board below; the measurement system captures the apex height of the first rebound; the result is displayed to ±10mm accuracy.

Motor-driven height positioning sets the drop point accurately across the 1,000–2,450mm range — covering the drop heights specified for all major ball sports in their respective governing body standards. The concrete board base provides the standardized impact surface specified in most ball rebound test methods; the board's stiffness and hardness characteristics directly affect rebound results, and a concrete specification eliminates the surface variability of wooden floors or sport mats.

The machine's 3,070mm total height accommodates the full 2,450mm drop distance plus fixture clearance within a compact 1,240×700mm footprint.

Standards Covered: FIBA, FIFA, ITF, FIVB, IHF and More

The FH-1389 covers the rebound height test requirements of the major international sports governing bodies:

Basketball

FIBA (International Basketball Federation) FIBA's official ball specifications define a rebound height range for official match balls dropped from a defined height onto a concrete surface. FIBA-approved balls are tested under the FIBA Equipment Centre protocol, which requires controlled drop release and measurement on a concrete base — matching the FH-1389's operating principle.

NBA / national league standards NBA and major national league ball specifications align with FIBA methodology for rebound testing, with ball-specific pressure and rebound tolerances.

GB/T 22517 (China) — China's national standard for sports balls, covering basketball and other ball types, specifies rebound height test methods consistent with the FH-1389's configuration.

Football (Soccer)

FIFA Quality Programme FIFA's ball approval program (FIFA Quality and FIFA Quality Pro) specifies rebound height requirements tested at defined inflation pressure on a concrete surface. The FH-1389 drop height range covers the standard drop heights in FIFA's rebound specification.

Tennis

ITF (International Tennis Federation) ITF Technical Regulations specify ball rebound height as one of the mandatory approval tests. Tennis balls are dropped from 254cm (100 inches) onto a concrete base; the FH-1389's 2,450mm maximum drop height accommodates this specification (2,540mm is marginally above the standard maximum — manufacturers should confirm exact ITF drop height against the current ITF Technical Regulations version). The measurement range of 300–1,600mm covers the ITF-specified rebound range.

Volleyball

FIVB (Fédération Internationale de Volleyball) FIVB equipment regulations include rebound performance criteria for official volleyballs. The FH-1389's 50–260mm ball diameter range accommodates standard volleyball dimensions.

Handball

IHF (International Handball Federation) IHF-approved handball specifications include bounce/rebound requirements tested on a hard surface. The FH-1389 covers IHF handball sizes (58–60cm circumference, equivalent to approximately 185–190mm diameter).

Pickleball

USA Pickleball / WPA (World Pickleball Association) USA Pickleball's official equipment specifications include a bounce test for approved pickleballs. The machine's 50mm lower diameter limit accommodates pickleball dimensions.

Summary Table

Applicable Ball Types and Drop Height Requirements

The FH-1389 accommodates balls from 50mm to 260mm in diameter — the full range from pickleball through basketball — with suction cup changeout for balls at significantly different size ends of the range.

Drop Height by Sport (Reference — confirm against current governing body specifications)

Important: Ball sport standards are updated periodically by their governing bodies. Always confirm the specific drop height and rebound range required by the current version of the applicable standard before configuring the machine for a certification test.

Design Features of the FH-1389

Suction Cup Ball Holding System (Pneumatic Release)

The ball is held at the programmed drop height by a suction cup connected to the pneumatic system (0.5–0.75MPa air supply). The suction cup grips the ball's surface without deforming the shell or applying pre-compression that would affect the rebound result. On release command, the pneumatic system cancels suction and the ball drops in free fall — with no mechanical contact at the moment of release that could impart lateral velocity or rotation. For balls of significantly different diameters, the suction cup is swapped to match the ball size — the machine's 50–260mm range is covered by a small selection of cup sizes.

Motor-Driven Height Positioning

The drop height is set by motor-driven vertical positioning of the suction cup fixture — accurate and repeatable across the 1,000–2,450mm range, controlled from the machine's panel. Motor positioning eliminates the operator-variability of manual height setting (measuring tape, visual alignment) that is a significant source of inter-test variation in manual drop methods. Once set, the height is held at the programmed position for the full test sequence.

Concrete Board Base

The impact surface is a concrete board — the material specified in FIBA, FIFA, and ITF rebound test methods as the standard impact surface. Concrete's stiffness and hardness are defined and reproducible; testing on a wooden floor, rubber mat, or unconstrained surface would give different — and non-standard — rebound results. The concrete board is integrated into the machine's base as a fixed, permanent test surface.

Measurement Range 300–1,600mm (±10mm Accuracy)

The rebound height measurement system captures the first rebound apex within the 300–1,600mm range above the impact surface, displayed to ±10mm accuracy. This range covers the expected rebound heights for all sports balls in the applicable standards at their specified drop heights. ±10mm accuracy is appropriate for the tolerance bands specified by governing body rebound requirements — typically ±20–50mm or more — so the measurement system does not introduce uncertainty that meaningfully affects pass/fail determination.

Simple Operation — Raise and Place

The operating sequence is designed for rapid throughput: the operator raises the ball by hand and places it against the suction cup at the current height setting. No complex loading mechanism is needed because the ball is light enough to hand-position. This keeps the operator interface straightforward and allows high-volume testing without mechanical loading device complexity.

Technical Specifications of the FH-1389

Test Performance

Machine and Electrical

Applicable Sports and Ball Size Reference

Why These Specifications Matter

• 1,000–2,450mm drop height range covers the governing body-specified drop heights for all major ball sports in a single machine. Most sports specify drop heights between 1,000mm and 2,000mm; ITF tennis at 2,540mm is at the upper edge of the range — manufacturers targeting ITF certification should confirm the exact current ITF drop specification.

• Suction cup release with no mechanical contact at drop moment is the critical release mechanism specification. Any release mechanism that involves a mechanical contact (a pin retracting, a lever swinging away) imparts a small velocity or vibration to the ball at the moment of release — affecting the drop trajectory and the rebound result. Suction cancellation is the cleanest release method available for spherical objects.

• Concrete board base is not interchangeable with other surfaces for certification testing. The difference in rebound height between a concrete surface and a wooden court floor can be 5–15% for most sports balls at standard inflation — a difference that can swing a borderline result from pass to fail. Testing on concrete is a requirement, not a preference, in most governing body specifications.

• ±10mm display accuracy against typical governing body tolerance bands (±30–50mm for most sports) means the measurement uncertainty is less than a third of the pass/fail tolerance — giving confident pass/fail determination without the uncertainty being the limiting factor.

How the FH-1389 Testing Process Works

Step 1: Set Drop Height

The required drop height is entered at the machine control panel. The motor-driven positioning system moves the suction cup fixture to the programmed height within the 1,000–2,450mm range.

Step 2: Inflate Ball to Test Pressure

The ball is inflated to the governing body-specified test pressure for the ball type and category being tested. Rebound height is directly dependent on internal pressure; test pressure must match the standard specification exactly.

Step 3: Load Ball onto Suction Cup

The operator raises the ball by hand and places it against the suction cup at the height setting. The pneumatic system activates suction, holding the ball securely at the set height without shell deformation or pre-compression.

Step 4: Release and Drop

On release command, the pneumatic system cancels suction. The ball drops in free fall to the concrete base board.

Step 5: Rebound Height Reading

The measurement system captures the first rebound apex within the 300–1,600mm measurement range. The rebound height is displayed to ±10mm accuracy.

Step 6: Record and Compare to Standard

The measured rebound height is recorded and compared to the pass range specified by the applicable governing body standard. Multiple drops on the same ball provide repeatability data; multiple balls from a batch provide batch-level QC data.

Benefits for Ball Manufacturers and Testing Labs

Eliminates Operator Variability from Manual Drop Tests

Manual drop testing — holding the ball at a measured height and releasing by hand — introduces height measurement error (typically ±20–50mm), release variability (lateral velocity, spin), and rebound reading error (parallax, reaction time). The FH-1389 eliminates all three: motor-set height, suction-release, and instrument measurement replace operator judgment at every step.

Covers All Major Ball Sports — One Machine

Production QC and Incoming Inspection

For ball manufacturers, the FH-1389 supports two QC applications:

• Final QC before shipment — batch sampling to confirm rebound is within specification before products leave the factory

• Process control — in-line or near-line testing to detect pressure retention or material consistency issues before a full batch is affected

For importers and distributors, the machine supports incoming inspection — verifying that received products meet the rebound specification before they enter inventory or are forwarded to retail.

Certification Pre-Qualification

Before submitting balls to a governing body's official approval laboratory, manufacturers can use the FH-1389 to pre-qualify each product design — catching rebound failures at the internal development stage where reformulation or specification adjustment is low-cost, rather than at a formal submission where a failure delays market entry.

Choosing the Right Ball Rebound Tester

Key Questions to Ask

Does it cover the drop height for your target standard? Confirm that the machine's maximum drop height covers the governing body specification for your primary ball type. For most sports, 2,000mm is sufficient; for ITF tennis (2,540mm), the FH-1389's 2,450mm ceiling is close — verify the current ITF Technical Regulations before ordering.

What is the release mechanism? Suction-cup release (FH-1389) is the cleanest available for spherical objects — no mechanical contact at the moment of drop. Pin-release and lever-release mechanisms impart micro-velocities at release that affect trajectory and rebound results. For certification-grade testing, release mechanism type is worth specifying.

What is the impact surface? Most governing body standards specify concrete. A machine with a rubber, wood, or composite base will not produce results comparable to a concrete-surface test. Confirm the base material matches your applicable standard.

What measurement accuracy do you need? ±10mm is appropriate for all major sports ball rebound specifications. If your application requires tighter measurement tolerance (unusual for ball testing), confirm with the machine supplier.

What ball diameter range do you need? The FH-1389's 50–260mm range covers all common ball sports. Very small specialty balls (squash at ~40mm) fall outside the lower limit of this range.

Real-World Application Scenarios

A basketball manufacturer preparing FIBA approval submissions used the FH-1389 to pre-test 30 balls from three production batches across a range of temperatures (15°C, 25°C, 38°C) before submitting to the FIBA Equipment Centre. Two balls in the cold-condition batch showed rebound values below the FIBA minimum — identifying a bladder material consistency issue in one production run before formal submission, saving both certification cost and schedule delay.

A sporting goods importer receiving shipments of footballs from multiple Asian manufacturers uses the FH-1389 as an incoming inspection tool, dropping three balls per consignment at the FIFA-specified drop height. On one consignment, all three samples fell outside the FIFA Quality Programme rebound range — triggering a full consignment hold and supplier quality investigation before the balls entered the distribution network.

A sports ball testing laboratory running approval tests for multiple ball manufacturers across basketball, football, and tennis product lines operates the FH-1389 as the central rebound test instrument, using the suction cup changeout to switch between ball types within a working day — covering the full FIBA basketball, FIFA football, and ITF tennis rebound test sequences on the same machine.

FAQs for the FH-1389

What ball types can the FH-1389 test?

Basketball, football (soccer), volleyball, handball, tennis, and pickleball — covering diameters from 50mm to 260mm. Balls at significantly different size extremes require a suction cup changeout to match the ball surface geometry.

Why is the base concrete rather than a wooden court floor?

Governing body rebound specifications (FIBA, FIFA, ITF) specify concrete as the standard impact surface. A wooden court floor has different stiffness characteristics and produces different rebound heights — results from a wooden base are not comparable to the standard-specified concrete test and cannot be used for certification submissions.

How is the ball released without affecting the drop?

The suction cup holds the ball pneumatically. On release command, the pneumatic system cancels suction — the ball drops by gravity with no mechanical contact at the release moment. This avoids the micro-velocities and vibrations that pin-release or lever-release mechanisms impart to the ball.

What happens if the ball is inflated to the wrong pressure?

Rebound height is directly proportional to internal pressure. Testing at incorrect inflation pressure produces non-standard results that cannot be compared to the governing body specification. Always inflate the ball to the standard-specified test pressure before testing.

Can one machine test both basketball (240mm) and tennis balls (67mm)?

Yes — the 50–260mm range covers both. For balls at significantly different diameter ends of the range, the suction cup is changed to match the ball size. Suction cups for different size ranges are available as accessories.

Is ±10mm accuracy sufficient for certification testing?

Yes. FIBA, FIFA, and ITF rebound tolerances are typically ±30–50mm or more at the specified drop height. ±10mm display accuracy provides a comfortable measurement margin below the pass/fail tolerance band, ensuring measurement uncertainty does not affect pass/fail determination at the borderline.

What air pressure is required?

0.5–0.75MPa. This is within the range of a standard shop air compressor. A local air supply at the machine location is required; the machine does not include an integral compressor.

Related Testing Equipment

• Ball Pressure Gauge / Inflation Testing Equipment — measures and sets internal ball pressure to the governing body-specified test pressure before rebound testing

• Ball Circumference and Diameter Measurement Equipment — dimensional verification for ball approval submissions alongside rebound testing

• Ball Weight Scale — mass verification per governing body specification (FIBA, FIFA, ITF all specify ball mass ranges)

• Ball Impact / Hardness Tester — shell stiffness and impact resistance testing for ball construction qualification

• Sports Equipment Environmental Chamber — temperature and humidity conditioning for balls before rebound testing at specified environmental conditions

Get a Quote from Feihong Machine

Feihong Machine (Dongguan Feihong Instrument and Equipment Co., Ltd.) designs and manufactures sports equipment testing machines for ball manufacturers, sporting goods brands, and testing laboratories worldwide.

To get started:

• Request a Quote — share your ball types, target standards, and production volume

• Request Technical Datasheet — full dimensional drawings and pneumatic schematic

• Schedule a Demo — see the FH-1389 run live rebound tests across basketball and football in the same session

Request a Quote →