Clayton Stanley and Russell Holmes of United States try to block a shto from Cristian Savani of Italy during the Men's Volleyball quarterfinals on Day 12 of the London 2012 Olympic Games at Earls Court on Aug. 8, 2012.
Until the traditional white ball, which was replaced with a multi-colored ball in 2000 to make the sport more TV friendly, rallies were short and sweet. But with the blue and yellow ball, players are able to see the spin, and viewers can sit back and enjoy the acrobatics of a good long rally. This year the US women’s team nabbed silver playing with a Mikasa indoor ball ($70), and the Paralympians will be using the same ball which, unlike the beach ball, has no seams, and has a dimpled surface similar to a golf ball, that creates air turbulence making the ball fly true.