Ball (gridiron football)
This article's lead section contains information that is not included elsewhere in the article. (June 2023) |
In Canada and the United States, a
History
Early balls
In the 1860s, manufactured inflatable balls were introduced through the innovations of English shoemaker Richard Lindon. These were much more regular in shape than the handmade balls of earlier times, making kicking and carrying easier. These early footballs were plum-shaped.[2]
Some teams used to have white footballs for purposes of night practice.[3]
The football changed in 1934, with a rule change that tapered the ball at the ends more and reduced the size around the middle. This new, sleeker ball made it much easier to handle, particularly for passers, while at the same time making the drop kick unreliable and obsolete.[4] Hugh "Shorty" Ray, at the time a college football official and later the NFL's head of officiating, is generally credited with conceiving the pointed football.[5]
"The Duke"
From
The nickname was originally used until
Properties
Coach
What is this? It is a prolate spheroid, an elongated sphere in which the outer leather casing is drawn tightly over a somewhat smaller rubber tubing. Better to have died as a small boy than to fumble this football.[further explanation needed][8]
Leather panels are typically tanned to a natural brown color, which is usually required in professional leagues and collegiate play. At least one manufacturer uses leather that has been
The leather is usually stamped with a pebble-grain texture to help players grip the ball. Some or all of the panels may be stamped with the manufacturer's
Two of the panels are perforated along adjoining edges, so that they can be laced together. One of these lacing panels receives an additional perforation and reinforcements in its center, to hold the inflation valve. Each panel is attached to an interior lining. The four panels are then stitched together in an "inside-out" manner. The edges with the lacing holes, however, are not stitched together. The ball is then turned right side out by pushing the panels through the lacing hole. A polyurethane or rubber lining called a bladder is then inserted through the lacing hole. Polyvinyl chloride or leather laces are inserted through the perforations, to provide a grip for holding, hiking and passing the football. Before play, according to the NFL rules, the ball must be inflated to an air pressure between 12.5 and 13.5 pounds per square inch (86 and 93 kilopascals).[10] The ball weighs 14 to 15 ounces (400 to 430 grams).
In the
Prior to the merger, the
NFL regulations
In an NFL game, the home team must have 36 balls for an outdoor game or 24 for an indoor game, and they must be available for the referee to test with a pressure gauge two and a half hours before the game to keep players from cheating. Twelve new footballs, sealed in a special box and shipped by the manufacturer, are opened in the officials’ locker room two hours and 15 minutes before the game. These balls are specially marked with the letter "K" and are used exclusively for the kicking game. The visiting team may also present 12 balls to the referee for outdoor games for inspection.
Since 1941,
Recreational variations
Minnesota Vikings kicker Fred Cox, during his NFL career, is credited with developing an all-polyurethane foam football, which he sold to Nerf.[22] Nerf later added the vortex football, also made of foam, with a smaller body and torpedo tail fins, resembling a Ketchum Grenade. Foam footballs such as Nerf's, especially the vortex football, can be thrown greater distances than a traditional air-filled leather or rubber ball,[23] but in turn, kicking range is greatly reduced, with the vortex football being practically unkickable.
See also
References
- ^ "Why is a Football Called a "Pigskin"?". 4 May 2015. Archived from the original on 29 October 2020. Retrieved 23 September 2020.
- ^ Trueman, Nigel. "Rugby Football History". Archived from the original on 25 March 2015. Retrieved 27 July 2016.
- ISBN 9780313284045.
- ^ Pearson, The People History -- Steve. "History of The Game Of Football Including The NFL and College Football". Archived from the original on 1 August 2016. Retrieved 27 July 2016.
- ^ Seymour Smith (September 14, 1966). "Pro Football To Honor Ray: Rules Advisor's Ideas Gave Game Needed Boost". The Sun (Baltimore). p. C4. Archived from the original on October 26, 2017. Retrieved October 25, 2017.
- ^ a b Frassinelli, Mike (30 January 2014). "Why is the NFL football called The Duke?". NJ.com. Archived from the original on 27 March 2018. Retrieved March 26, 2018.
- ^ Cochems, Eddie, "The Forward Pass and On-Side Kick", Spalding's How to Play Foot Ball, American Sports Publishing, Walter Camp, Editor, Revised 1907 edition
- ^ Pees, Samuel T. "John Heisman, Football Coach". Oil History. Archived from the original on 2014-11-13. Retrieved 2014-11-12.
- ^ Kerry Byrne. "'The Duke' is back!" (subtitle - "The white stripes")". Coldhardfootballfacts.com. Archived from the original on 7 March 2014. Retrieved 3 August 2006.
- ^ "Rule 2: The Ball" (PDF). National Football League. Archived from the original (PDF) on 22 February 2019. Retrieved 29 January 2015.
- ^ "CFL to roll out new ball for 2018 season". March 19, 2018. Archived from the original on June 29, 2018. Retrieved October 1, 2018.
- ^ "The AFL's Skinny Football". 17 June 2014.
- ^ Beschloss, Michael (January 24, 2015). "Before the Bowl Was Super". New York Times. Archived from the original on January 14, 2018. Retrieved June 9, 2015.
- ^ "2020 NFL Rulebook | NFL Football Operations". operations.nfl.com. Archived from the original on 18 December 2020. Retrieved 8 December 2020.
- ^ Some kickers, punters don't favor special teams K-Ball, 10 January 2007, archived from the original on 7 December 2020, retrieved 8 December 2020
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ignored (help) - ^ "The NFL's centenarians". Profootballhof.com. 7 February 2010. Archived from the original on 14 October 2013. Retrieved 27 March 2013.
- ^ Scott Oldham (October 2001). "Bombs Away". Popular Mechanics. Retrieved 26 March 2013.
- ISBN 9780786465576. Retrieved 26 March 2013.
- ^ Barbara Rolek (27 October 2003). "Horween's leather bound by tradition". Chicago Tribune. Archived from the original on 13 May 2013. Retrieved 27 March 2013.
- ^ Horween Leather Company. encyclopedia.com. Archived from the original on 18 July 2013. Retrieved 26 March 2013.
- ^ Howard Wolinsky (May 16, 2008). "Horween Leather Faces an Uncertain Future". Business Week. Archived from the original on July 8, 2012. Retrieved April 24, 2017.
- ^ "Ex-Vikings kicker Fred Cox, inventor of Nerf football, dies at 80". ESPN.com. November 21, 2019. Archived from the original on November 22, 2019. Retrieved November 22, 2019.
- ^ "Nerf Sports". Hasbro. Archived from the original on 2015-12-26. Retrieved 2013-01-24.
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