If you have recently purchased a genuine leather basketball, you might be surprised by how it feels in the beginning. This is because composite or rubber basketballs are designed ready-for-play immediately. Leather balls are not.
Why? Because leather balls have increased durability, which means they should last you longer. Breaking them in is simply a compromise you have to make for the higher quality!
If you are looking for a guide on how to break in a leather basketball, you’re in the right place. Generally speaking, there are only two ways you can truly soften up your new leather ball.
The first is a little unorthodox, and the second consists of playing with it consistently. We have detailed both strategies below to show you how to break in a leather basketball efficiently.