A Buyers Guide to Footballs

By The Informer
for HRSInformer.com

Published: December 29, 2009

Footballs come in different shapes and sizes and are made using a variety of materials for different types of play. In this basic buyers guide to footballs, we will cover the most common football shapes and sizes along with the 3 most common materials from which footballs are made. Enjoy!

6 Football Sizes

1. NFL Pro Footballs

NFL pro footballs are the football size used by the NFL and other professional leagues. They generally use the NFL Pro Pattern design.

2. NCAA College Footballs

NCAA College Footballs are the standard size used in college play all around the United States. These come in a variety of collegiate patterns including the QB12 pattern that has the smallest ball circumference allowable.

3. NFHS High School Footballs

NFHS Highschool footballs are the standard sized footballs used for High School level play. They come in a variety of patterns including collegiate, varsity, and the QB12.

4. Youth Footballs

Youth size footballs are smaller than highschool, college, and NFL footballs. They are generally recommended for players around the ages of 11 – 14, and usually only come in the youth pattern.

5. Junior Footballs

Junior sized footballs are a bit smaller than youth sized footballs, and are recommended for players around the ages of 9 – 12.

6. Pee Wee Footballs

Pee Wee footballs are made for the youngest of football players. They are just the right size for children ages 6 – 9.

3 Football Patterns

A football pattern is the basic shape and cut of a football. The pattern determines the shape of the football, but not, necessarily, the size.

1. Pro Pattern

Pro Pattern footballs have the largest girth (distance around) of any footballs. These footballs are used by professional teams and most college programs.

2. Collegiate Pattern

Collegiate pattern footballs are a little longer and have a slightly smaller girth than the pro pattern footballs. This pattern is used in both college and some high school footballs, and makes the football easier to grip and pass.

3. QB12 Pattern

The QB12 pattern is made with the smallest football circumference allowable. This makes gripping and throwing the ball easier.

3 Types of Football Cover Materials

1. Leather Footballs

Leather footballs are the highest grade footballs and are typically used in game and practice play. Many of the leather footballs are made with a tanning process that makes the ball tacky, so it is easier to grip, particularly when wet. Some leather footballs are also made to resist absorbing moisture, so they can be used in all weather conditions. Leather footballs that are not specified as water proof or water resistant should not be used in wet conditions, as the ball can absorb water becoming heavier and harder to grip. Leather footballs are only intended for use on grass or turf surfaces.

2. Composite Footballs

Composite or composite leather footballs are made from synthetic leather. These balls tend to cost less than leather footballs. Composite footballs may be used in game or practice situations and are great recreational use. Composite footballs look and feel like leather, but tend to resist moisture better than real leather. They are also often easier to grip, because the composite material usually has more texture. Some composite leather balls have enhanced the grip of the ball even more by making the cover tacky and/or softer. Composite leather footballs tend to be more durable than leather footballs. However, like leather footballs, these balls are generally intended for use on grass or turf surfaces.

3. Rubber Footballs

Rubber Footballs typically have durable, easy to grip, waterproof rubber covers with rubber molded laces. The rubber football is excellent for recreational use in all weather conditions and on all surfaces.

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