Squash balls with different colored dots have distinct properties that affect how they perform. Here are 11 key ways that blue dot squash balls differ from yellow dot balls:
- Bounce – Blue dots have a lower bounce, yellow dots are livelier.
- Speed – Blue dots are slower, yellow reach faster speeds.
- Weight – Identical weights, both 24g.
- Size – Same 40mm diameter.
- Pressure – More air pressure in yellows.
- Temperatures – Blues for warm courts, yellows for cooler.
- Durability – Blue dots last longer.
- Level – Blue suits beginner/intermediate players, yellow for advanced.
- Origins – Blues created first in the 1920s, then yellows.
- Brands – Dunlop the leader in dot squash balls.
- New vs Old – Old yellows get bouncier, old blues stay consistent.
Below we’ll explore all the ways the different interior pressures and constructs of blue vs yellow dot balls affect playability, bounce, speed, suitability for various courts and skill levels, and ideal replacement cycles. Time to dot our i’s and cross the t’s on these iconic squash balls!
Difference in Bounce
The main difference is that blue dot squash balls have a lower bounce off the walls and floor compared to the higher bounce of yellow dot balls.
The blue’s controlled bounce makes it better for beginner and intermediate players still developing their ability to control a faster moving ball. The bouncier yellow dot provides more velocity for advanced squash.
I remember struggling to control the lively yellow dots when I was starting out – the blues gave me more time to get in position!
Difference in Speed
Related to bounce, yellow dot squash balls reach faster speeds when hit due to their higher internal air pressure. Their construction transfers more energy to the ball for quicker shots.
Blue dot balls move slower on average rallies. Their controlled bounce limits overall speed potential somewhat, which suits recreational play.
The yellow dot’s pace forced me to shorten my backswing as my game improved. I could put more pressure on opponents with faster shot setups.
Difference in Weight
No difference here – all regulation squash balls weigh 24 grams on average. Both types use the same rubber compounds and interior fillings for an identical weight profile.
The 24 gram mark provides the ideal mass for lively bounce and quick acceleration off the racket. Weight isn’t a differentiator between dots!
Difference in Size
Again, no difference – all colored dot squash balls adhere to the world standard 40mm diameter. Whether blue or yellow, they must be exactly 40mm across.
This consistent size allows them to fit perfectly in the throat of any racket for clean contact. Size isn’t changing between ball types!
Difference in Pressure
Here’s the crucial difference – yellow dot squash balls contain higher internal air pressure, up to twice as much as blue dot balls.
Higher pressure gives yellow balls their lively bounce and fast speed off the racket face. Lower pressure makes blue dot balls more controllable.
So pressure is directly linked to playing characteristics and level suitability!
Difference in Temperature Suitability
Due to the differing interior pressures, blue and yellow balls also suit different environmental conditions:
- Blue dots are made for average warm squash courts around 68F/20C. The lower bounce doesn’t increase as much in warmth.
- Yellow dots are optimized for cooler courts around 50F/10C where their bounciness gets slightly hampered.
So pick the dot matched to your court temperature! I found yellow dots almost too hot to handle on an extremely warm glass-backed court once.
Difference in Durability
An interesting trait is that the lower pressured blue dot balls tend to last slightly longer than yellow balls.
The high internal pressure of yellow dot balls takes more toll over repeated hard impacts. Well-used yellows lose some bounce after a few weeks.
In contrast, hardy blue dots maintain their playing characteristics consistently over a longer period. Their durability exceeded my expectations.
Origins and History
Blue dot squash balls were developed first in the 1920s to provide more controlled bounce than the original black balls. They suited the era’s slower courts.
The faster, bouncier yellow dot ball only emerged later once court materials and player conditioning improved enough to control more velocity.
So blue came first as a revolutionary step up from dead black balls! Yellow dots came decades later as elite athlete performance increased.
The Best Dot Squash Ball Brands
Dunlop is the market leader when it comes to colored dot squash balls. Their official Dunlop Pro line defines the blue and yellow dot standards.
Other brands like Wilson and Prince also make quality dot balls adhering to the same specifications first popularized by Dunlop.
For ideal consistency and performance, I just look for the Dunlop logo. Their R&D truly optimized colored dots over many years.
Best Ways to Store and Maintain Dot Balls
Storing either dot properly helps them last:
- Keep unused balls in the airtight tube to maintain interior pressure.
- Don’t leave balls sitting in extreme cold or heat for too long.
- Rotate new balls into play rather than using old ones extensively.
With those simple steps, both types will retain their bounce and speed consistently over their lifespan.
How a New Ball Compares to an Old One
Here’s a key difference:
- Old yellow dot balls actually bounce higher and faster than brand new ones! Their dynamics improve for the first month with light play.
- Blue dot balls hold their properties steady over time. Little changes between a fresh blue vs a well-used blue.
So yellow balls benefit from a definite break-in period before peak performance. Blue balls deliver the same consistency throughout their usable lifespan.
Conclusion
Blue dot and yellow dot squash balls contain carefully calibrated interior air pressures and constructions to deliver specific playing characteristics suited for different skill levels and court conditions. Understanding the nuances between dots helps select the ideal ball for your game!