They’re also the most expensive footballs, regardless of size. Almost all leagues, from professional to pee-wee, require that a leather ball be used in games. A specific tanning process is used to make the leather surface slightly tacky, a feature that is very noticeable (and appreciated) when playing in wet conditions. Leather: Used as a cover for all official footballs, leather is very durable but not completely weather resistant. The internal bladder is covered with four panels of either leather, synthetic leather, or rubber, depending on the type and quality of ball. Price: Mini footballs range in price from $6 to $17.įootballs have an internal bladder that’s inflated using a needle inserted through a small valve. Mini: Miniature footballs are used for recreational play or as toys for toddlers.Price: Approved pee-wee game footballs range in price from $40 to $52. They weigh about 10 ounces and have a circumference of about 17 to 17.5 inches, still a bit big for small hands, but manageable. Pee-wee: These footballs are designed for play in pee-wee league with players ages 6 to 9. Price: Junior footballs range in price from $40 to $60. Junior: Developed for players ages 10 to 12, junior footballs are about 17.5 to 18.5 inches in circumference and weigh around 11 ounces. Price: Approved youth game footballs range in price from $50 to $60. Youth: These footballs measure about 19 inches in circumference and are best for players ages 12 to 14. Price: Official footballs range in price from $75 to $160. Collegiate and high school game balls measure about 10.5 inches long and 21 inches in circumference. Official NFL game balls measure about 11 inches long and 22 inches in circumference. The actual size of official footballs varies about one-half inch. Official: Approved for high school, collegiate, and professional use, this is the largest game ball available. All footballs have specific size classifications: official, youth, junior, pee-wee, and mini. Some manufacturers use a number or letter to indicate size. Smaller footballs are easier for younger players to handle. And when a football hits the ground and bounces, just about anything goes.įootballs are sold by size, with recommendations for players of different age groups. Even seasoned professionals can be stymied when a thrown ball wobbles too much. The football’s shape also adds a degree of unpredictability to the game. Shape: The tapering ends were developed specifically to improve the distance and accuracy of the forward pass.Laces: The laces also provide a gripping surface, which is why quarterbacks place their fingers over the laces as they prepare to throw the ball. Texture: The rough, pebbly surface of the football helps to improve a player’s grip on the ball, especially in wet or muddy conditions.

It morphed from a rounded, vaguely oblong shape to the version we know today, with its pebbly texture, wide laces, and sharply tapering ends. As gridiron football rules developed, and the game diverged from the sports that influenced it (rugby and association football, or soccer), the ball changed, too. The football has had an odd shape since the beginning of gridiron – or American – football in the late 1860s, when players used an inflated pig bladder. If you’re purchasing a football for league use, first check the league’s rules on size and type of allowable footballs.

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