Football (ball)

A football is a ball inflated with air that is used to play many different sports called football. In these games, players try to score goals or points by getting the ball into special areas on the field of play. The two teams work against each other, each trying to move the ball in opposite directions.

The first footballs were made from natural materials, like an inflated pig bladder inside a leather cover. Today, footballs are made by engineers with rubber or plastic bladders and plastic covers. Different leagues and games use different kinds of footballs, but they all have one of three basic shapes: a sphere, used in association football and Gaelic football; a prolate spheroid, used in rugby and Australian football; or a lemon, used in gridiron football.

The oldest football still in existence was found in Stirling Castle, Scotland, in 1981. It was made around 1550 from leather, possibly from a deer, and a pig’s bladder. This old football is roughly round, about 14–16 cm (5.5–6.3 in) wide, and weighs about 410–450 g (14–16 oz). You can see it today at the Smith Art Gallery and Museum in Stirling.

Association football

Main article: Ball (association football)

In association football, the ball is an air-filled sphere. It has a special size and weight, and is made to hold just the right amount of air. The ball is usually covered in leather or a similar material.

Most modern footballs are made from 32 pieces put together: 12 pentagons and 20 hexagons. This shape makes the ball easy to see and follow during a game. This style of ball became popular around the world after it was used in the 1970 World Cup. The material used for these balls is very important for lasting long and playing well.

Australian rules football

The football used in Australian football looks a bit like a rugby ball but is usually a little smaller and more rounded at the ends. It is also longer compared to its width than a rugby ball. A proper football for this game measures between 720–730 millimetres around and is inflated to a certain pressure.

In the early days, players used round balls because they were easier to find. Later, someone suggested using oval balls because they flew better. By the 1870s, this became the norm. In 1880, a man named T. W. Sherrin created a special ball after fixing a misshapen rugby ball, making it bounce better. Today, popular brands include Burley, Ross Faulkner, and Sherrin, which is used by the Australian Football League.

Gaelic football

Main article: Gaelic ball

Gaelic football is played with a round leather ball that has 18 stitched panels. It looks and feels like a regular football, with a size of about 68–70 cm around and weighs about 480–500 grams when it’s dry. Players can kick the ball or use a special move called a “hand pass,” which is when they hit the ball with the side of their closed fist using the thumb knuckle.

Gridiron football

Main article: Ball (gridiron football)

Football balls used in gridiron-style games have special points on both ends. This shape was introduced by official Hugh "Shorty" Ray in 1934 to help make throwing the ball forward more effective.

These footballs are usually made from cow hide leather, especially in professional and collegiate games. In some youth leagues, they might be made from rubber or plastic instead. Since 1941, Horween Leather Company has been the only company to supply leather for National Football League footballs. This started with Arnold Horween, who played and coached in the NFL. The company also supplies leather to Spalding, which provides balls for the Arena Football League. The NFL once tried using footballs with white stripes, like in Super Bowl VIII.

Rugby football

Main article: Rugby ball

Rugby used to be played with a round ball made from a pig’s bladder inside a leather cover. In 1870, two men began making balls for Rugby school using stitched leather and pig’s bladders. Over time, the ball’s shape changed from round to oval. By 1892, the rugby ball had to be oval-shaped.

Rugby league uses an oval ball filled with air. Referees stop the game if the ball isn’t the right size and shape. Modern rugby balls come in many colors and are made from synthetic materials instead of leather.

A rugby union ball is also oval. It measures about 28–30 cm long and 58–62 cm around at its widest point. In 1980, leather balls were replaced with waterproof synthetic ones.